Most of the sweet weekend games haven't started yet, so why not kill time with some tube?We begin with another promo clip from Wayne Rooney's Street Striker challenge show. In this clip, you get to see a bit of how the show works and meet a few of the kids. I despise and avoid most "reality challenge" programs, but I love this show! Click to continue reading...

I've lifted the F-bomb ban on Cut of the Day because it's Friday and I wanna...#1 - In the aftermath of last night's Real Salt Lake upset of the champs, James Edward pops the surprise cork and Shawn Mitchell does the Crew autopsy.#2 - After another loss to Benfica at home last night, Everton keeper Tim Howard knows his side is in a real scrap for the Europa League knockouts. Click to continue reading...

*Even ardent Italophobes sometimes have to doff their cap to La Dolce Vita. The Stadio Olimpico was so sparsely attended for tonight's Roma v Fulham clash, that despite being a veggie, I thought about eating Saltimbocca alla Romana in honour of the stayaway fans.When they consider a game meaningless, Italian tifosi vote with their feet. Click to continue reading...

These are all from the Champions League and Europa League, and they are all of superb quality...Let's begin with a thunderbolt from Liverpool's Ryan Babel. I'm tellin' ya, Rafa... don't sell this one away on the cheap.Atlético Madrid's Sergio Aguero rescues his side a point against Chelsea with a choice free kick. Click to continue reading...

Columbus center back Chad Marshall has trophy-cased his second straight MLS Defender of the Year prize.Seeing as how he suits up in a few hours to decide the Crew's first round playoff tie, the award celebration will be either delayed and heightened or subdued.- Greg Seltzer Click to continue reading...

I think headaches should be outlawed on Wednesdays. I mean, you are as far removed from the most recent weekend as you are from getting to the next one. That's enough misery. A headache on Wednesday is overkill. I vote "no" on Wednesday headaches. What say you?#1 - Chivas USA netminding monster Zach Thornton was tabbed as the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for a second time today. Click to continue reading...

The game is in the 20th minute and U.S. ace Jack McInerney has just seen a penalty kick saved by the the Italy keeper.As always, you can follow along at the U.S. Matchtracker or watch on ESPN360.Back with the major updates only, followed by the wrap...--29'Beretta puts Italy ahead 1-0.- Greg Seltzer Click to continue reading...

U.S. Soccer is inviting nominations for four "Best of 2009" categories, including (ahem) Best Soccer Blog, until November 20th.As they say, a nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat. Eh, eh?- Greg Seltzer Click to continue reading...

A little lunchtime viewing for you all...Let's begin with ESPN's MLS playoff first leg wrap, just in case you missed some of it.Yesterday we saw the MLS Goal of the Year nominees, and now it's time to run down the Save of the Year candidates.As always, we look back at MOTD2's 2 Good 2 Bad.We got back to ESPN to talk Champions League for two glamour teams in a pickle: Liverpool and Real Click to continue reading...

BAM!G - Guzan, Howard, PerkinsD - Bocanegra, Marshall*/Califf/Gibbs, Castillo, Cherundolo, Conrad, Goodson, Pearce, SpectorM - Bradley, Beckerman*/Cronin, Cameron*/McCarty, Dempsey, Donovan*/Beasley/Bedoya, Feilhaber, Torres, WhiteF - Altidore, Casey, Cunningham, Findley*/CooperThe players marked with an asterisk may or may not be available, depending on MLS leg two results this week. Click to continue reading...

I thought this deserved its own post. The full MLS awards list and announcement schedule is in the article, listed below are the glamour prizes, with my balloted winner marked by an asterisk:Goalkeeper of the Year FinalistsKasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FCDonovan Ricketts – Los Angeles Galaxy*Zach Thornton – Chivas USAComeback Player of the Year FinalistsBrian McBride – Chicago FireBen Olsen – Click to continue reading...

How fun must it be to work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? This show is like Seinfeld with the evil turned up to 11. Sometimes, the best comedy of manners is the one without any (also see Curb Your Enthusiasm)...#1 - A few local all-stars hook us up with the view heading into respective first round deciders:- Bernardo Fallas on HOU/SEA- Nick Green on LA/CHV- Shawn Mitchell on CLB/RSL#2 - Click to continue reading...

I'll get A few things up later, but for now, things are still accumulating nicely... Let's start with Denny Landzaat's classy Kakkerlakken consolation from yesterday. The trick is, you must watch through the entire highlight package to see it. You had to know I was gonna allude to this match somehow. Click to continue reading...

[Photo: IK Start]IK Start defender Clarence Goodson scored his club's final goal of the 2009 Tippeligaen season to cap a 2-0 win over old MLS foe Troy Perkins and Vålerenga. Not only do we have the highlight clip, but we also have a closing day interview with the hero.- Greg Seltzer Click to continue reading...

There were many candidates his week, and I ended up splitting it between a pair of fightback 3-2 away wins: Michael Bradley's 'Gladbach keeping Hamburg from the top and Napoli doing the deed at Juventus.- Greg Seltzer Click to continue reading...