The most famous football player in Fulham FC's history has finally been given the proper tribute. Michael Jackson - one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders to ever grace a pitch - has been honored with a statue outside of Craven Cottage. For those that are not aware of Jackson's heroics, Craven Cottage is the home ground of Fulham.

Looking Back at the 2007 U20 FIFA World Cup
Vein of Form recently lashed out at the development (or lack thereof) of the youth players in the US Soccer system. There is a serious cause for concern when you look at the current squad and see very few young, exciting and talented players working their way into the squad.

It is hard to imagine things more soul-sucking than a week that is dedicated to international fixtures. The domestic leagues are reaching a boiling point and all the excitement is killed by these FIFA dates for friendlies and Euro qualifiers.
For example, the English media are so devoid of interesting topics they are harping on the fact Gareth Bale may miss the upcoming Wales v.

The National Football League is currently in meltdown as the owners have locked out the players, the players are going to take these owners to court and the season starting on time / actually happening is in jeopardy. This is a situation where billionaires are having an argument with millionaires over how to distribute billions of dollars amongst them.

It has been announced that the groundbreaking podcast, World Football Daily, will be going through a massive change. Co-host, show founder and quite frankly one of the biggest influences on the game in North America - Steven Cohen - will be stepping away from the mic in two weeks time.
The show was started nearly a decade ago by Cohen and Nick Geber.

Since departing Anfield at the end of the January transfer window, Fernando Torres has been talking more about Liverpool Football Club than some of the current players seem to. Torres has spoken of turmoil at the club, his desire to win trophies and play in the Champions League.
Fair enough, this is a player that scored the winning goal for Spain at Euro 2008 and was part of the World Cup winning squad in South Africa.

Vein of Form will not be negative about our 2011 MLS season forecast. While we fully expect there to be slow build ups from the back, shoddy passing, periods of the match where it looks like no one wants to be out there and a ridiculous playoff format there is plenty to be excited about!
Friday Night Football.

Morning came and I was on my way, when you reminded me I had too soon forgotten, it was you who set me free -- Kip Winger
Something has gone in us, not in our attitude, but in our confidence -- Arsene Wenger
Another season that began with Arsenal amongst the favorites for a trophy haul in England and another season that looks to end in heartbreak.

The FA Cup has ruined my weekend. Rather than have a full slate of Premiership matches that mean something we are stuck with Saturday fixtures of Birmingham v. Bolton and Manchester United v. Arsenal.
Sunday's lineup has the raging fixtures of Stoke City v. West Ham United and Manchester City v.

What we learned by watching Liverpool fail to extend their 14-match unbeaten run in Europe is that Kenny Dalglish still has a long way to go in rebuilding this squad. Liverpool have played so much better under Dalglish that our expectations are such that losing to a ragtag side like Portugal's Braga does not seem conceivable.

Four teams have booked their spot in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Below I break down of those four, who is the most appealing and least appealing to match up against.
Schalke 04
Assuming that FC Copenhagen does not get past Chelsea, I think Schalke are the side most clubs would hope to draw.

Warning: This post is not about Fernando Torres. VoF believes that boy is a lost cause and his best days are well behind him. This blog on the other hand is making a dramatic comeback in 2011.
Yes! Nearly two years after our last post we've emerged from the shadows in Kenny Dalglish style to right this ship and deliver unrivaled footballing content.

If you have paid any attention to football over the past 5 years you saw this coming. Barcelona being the most attacking side the last half decade against Chelsea, arguably the most negative footballing club to have climbed the ranks to become a "big club". You laughed at people predicting a blow-out and you contemplated what it will be like sitting through a choppy 90-minutes of scoreless football.

Inspired by the Seattle crowd in attendance tonight for the MLS season opener I just had to write an MLS preview and share some thoughts on the league. My thoughts are this league still has a long way to go.
Would you dare disagree? They are opening the season on the same night the NCAA college basketball tournament starts.

Check out this picture of an angry Cesc Fabregas:

One of the top midfielders in the world stalking around in his designer jacket looking to get into some shit with anyone on the Hull squad and coaching staff. And all of this on a bum knee! Cesc is itching so bad to get the feel of the pitch under his feet he is willing to risk an FA fine and suspension because he didn't want the Hull assistant manager to get the last word.