SoccerBlogs

Jose Mourinho would consider an offer to become the next England coach, according to his media adviser. The former Chelsea boss is the favourite to replace Steve McClaren, who was sacked after failing to lead England to Euro 2008. His media adviser Eladio Parames has now confirmed that Mourinho would be willing to listen to any approach [. Click to continue reading...

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he's unlikely to buy in January. United have been linked with strikers Nicolas Anelka and Dimitar Berbatov but Ferguson told Inside United magazine: "I think the squad is good enough." He added: "We do not always get great joy in January. It takes time for players to settle in. Click to continue reading...

The MLS Cup participants from the past two seasons will be back at it to kick off next year's Major League Season on March 29 in New England. The two-time defending champion Dynamo are being rewarded - with a trip... Click to continue reading...

"The problem of insecurity cannot be solved by spreading people out more thinly, trading the characteristics of the city for the suburbs." -Jane Jacobs There have been a few violent assaults/rapes in and around UB North this semester, starting to instill in people that just because its not the city-doesn't mean that you're completely safe. Click to continue reading...

With the 2008 Olympic soccer tournament approaching, China is eagerly preparing to completely miss the point: "Zhongguo, Zhongguo ha, ha, ha. Zhongguo, Zhongguo bi sheng," the crowd shouts, simultaneously beating yellow, stick-shaped batons to the rhythm. "Jia you, jia you." Rough translation: "China, China ha, ha, ha. Click to continue reading...

The Jamaican Football Federation will announce today [ok, has announced at this writing] the return of René Simões as the technical director of the men's and women's national teams. Here is an article in Mexico's Medio Tiempo website, which lists... Click to continue reading...

Although I am dubbing this the official hibernation period of US National Team Soccer, there is some action going on in the coming days, well sorta. First off here are the dates for the upcoming Nike U-17 Friendly matches: U.S. Under-17 92s MNT vs. Russia Live on FSC 12/06/2007 3:00 PM ET U.S. Under-17 92s MNT vs. Click to continue reading...

The final round of matches in Group D were moved because of Milan's participation in the Club World Cup, and there was only one match featuring clubs with CONCACAF players on the books. Benfica grabbed a 2-1 win away to... Click to continue reading...

Dear Fernando Clavijo,

Let's face it, you're not very good (to say the least). There are only a few other coaches in the history of Major League Soccer that have managed to perform worse than you have. You've traded away great players for bupkiss, tied up large amounts of salary cap in unproductive players, in 3 drafts failed to unearth any players that remotely resemble Twellman, Joseph and other New England players you claim to have unearthed and flat out failed to win the vast majority of the time.

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A disappointing Apertura is almost behind them, but Arsenal de Sarandí have an opportunity to make history on Wednesday night all the same. They carry a 3-2 aggregate lead into the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against América de Mexico, after Friday night's astonishing win the Azteca. Click to continue reading...

Over at Chicago Sports Weekly, I take a look at a Chicago-based organised pickup soccer club (Windy City Wanderers F.C.) who have grown from nothing to over 1,000 members in a little over a year. Their founder, Matt Rosine, discusses their plans for the future, which includes a partnership with Calle Soccer out of Utah, [. Click to continue reading...

It's a new era at Boca Juniors, where on Tuesday Pedro Pompilio, the man who played a major part in Juan Román Riquelme's return last week to his boyhood club, was named the club's new president after Mauricio Macri passed on the mandate to him. Elsewhere, River Plate are in trouble again and Diego Simeone's [. Click to continue reading...

To prove that our lives shouldn't revolve solely around Soccer, here's a selection of the Best Sports Pictures of 2007 by the Reuters News Pictures Service (RNPS). I have selected the Best 20 Pictures from various sources, including La Repubblica le foto del 2007 / Sport and Reuters.com Pictures of the Year 2007. Click to continue reading...

Kansas City Mayor, Mark Funkhouser, will make have his first public session on the Lane4/Wizards Bannister Mall TIF tomorrow at the Kansas City Council Finance Committee meeting. The meeting is at 8:15 am on the 10th floor of City Hall, at 414 East 12th Street. This is another big hurdle for the plan, as Mayor Funkhouser ran for mayor on a reformation of the TIF platform. Click to continue reading...

The G-14, which had branded itself as "the voice of the clubs" and was contemplating expansion to 40 members, has gone the way of the dodo bird. Unlike the mythical feathered creature, however, the organization is going to come back as "a completely new organization to represent the interests of clubs at European and international level," G14 president Jean-Michel Aulas told The Guardian. Click to continue reading...

Today Buffalo Common Council member Joe Golombek and the Rev. Terry King announced that Saving Grace Ministires has withdrawn their proposal for a level 3 sexual offenders house at 31 Tonawanda Street. "This is not a problem that will be going away. We will continue to seek a site that is appropriate. Click to continue reading...

Things to read as you plan your very own steampunk wedding. Marca's feud with Rámon Calderón is getting a little out of control. (La Liga Loca) Hell yeah, The Offside's on Facebook all the cool kids are doing it! (Facebook) Comparing Milan and Barca. (Angry Nun) Criticizing the criticism of MLS team names. Click to continue reading...

Time to mark your calendars. According to Steven Goff of SoccerInsider, the Galaxy's first home game will be April 3 against the new Earthquakes. And of course it will be televised on ESPN2.

Was there ever any doubt?

The first game of the season will be the previous weekend at Colorado.

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With Borussia Dortmund on the horizon hopes are high here that another German giant will visit Jakarta next year. Apparently Bayern Munchen may well pop in either before or after the Euro Championships under the same arrangement as BVB. Namely part of the DFB's programme to widen the appeal of German football in Asia. Click to continue reading...

This is taken from the ASEAN football website and I thought it funny because tonight in England Arsenal prepare to take on Newcastle in one of the grimmest climates in a grim climate country.
Defending champions Thailand are worried about the cooler conditions in Nakhon Ratchasima – the venue of the SEA Games this year - which they felt could be a factor in their defence of the men's football title. Click to continue reading...

New England Revolution Record (W-L-T): 14-8-8; 51 GF, 43 GA Source Material: Schedule/match reports; roster Overview I'm going to play this one a little loosey-goosey - e.g. relying less on specific match reports, player bios, etc. - and touch on things I don't normally do.� Why?� First of all, because I can; I follow the New England Revolution more [. Click to continue reading...

Javier Roca, released by Persija halfway through the season, led his new club Persiba Balikpapan to a convincing 4-1 victory over visitors Persis Solo yesterday with a brace.
In the other game PKT Botang beat fading Persijap 3-1. Click to continue reading...

No idea about tickets but I imagine they will be available on the day.
In what appears to be a sensible move by the authorities here the friendly match with Borussia Dortmund will see a Liga Select line up against the Germans.
Only players, both foreign and local, not involved in Liga Indonesia games immediately prior to the Dortmund game will be called up. Click to continue reading...

I got the following question in my e-mail about the USMNT game vs. Sweden and was wondering if any of you have an answer.

(And no, I'm not going to ask if any of these Swedish friends are female. Sit in the away section and find out for yourself.)

Hello,

I was hoping you could tell me where the "Away Section" of the Home
Depot Center is located.

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Philidelphia has some pretty good arguments for Major League Soccer to award their city an expansion franchise. The city has drawn capacity crowds for international exhibitions at Lincoln Financial Field. The Sons of Ben have been dedicated and passionate supporters of the league and their city despite not having a team, and they have proved over and again that they are ready for and deserve a team. Click to continue reading...

For the second season in a row, the Kansas City Wizards will be opening against DC United. This time, though, the game will be in Kansas City. The game will be Saturday, March 29th at 7 pm central time at Community America Ballpark. This could also be the leagues first look at Juan Sebastián Verón, who looks like he could be signing with DC United this off season. Click to continue reading...

survey software - Take Our Poll We're slightly slow off the mark with this vote, but with so many goals to filter through to come up with this shortlist, who can blame us? Anyway, seeing as you've flocked by your hundreds to produce the closest ever poll in our player of the month survey, why not fight over whether Stevie's swing of his right foot against Newcastle bettered the flowing football that led to Babel's icing on that very same cake, or, indeed, if we're talking blabbering nonsense and ignoring how splendid Torres's strikes have been this month. Click to continue reading...

It's very rare that I feel the urge to give a pat on the back to anybody who has anything to to with soccer coverage in the US. (Think: ESPN2's first Beckham game, the Brown Nose Special. 'Nuff said.) But this is one of those rare times when they deserve [...] Click to continue reading...

Samuel Eto'o recibió oficialmente el alta médica y se espera que Frank Rikjaard lo incluya en la convocatoria ante el Deportivo de la Coruña en la próxima jornada liguera. Eto'o tenía ya varios días de ejercitarse junto al grupo, pero fue hasta hoy que se dio la pronunciación oficial de los médicos de la entidad blaugrana.

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Arsenal quiere poner la guinda al pastel en el que ha sido un magnífico torneo para los sudamericanos. En la ida en México vencieron 3 - 2 a las Águilas y con dicho resultado parece difícil que el equipo de Daniel Brailovsky pueda conseguir algo positivo del terreno enemigo.

Para las Águilas la temporada ha sido sencillamente desastrosa.

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El AC Milán se consolidó en el primer lugar de su grupo al vencer 1 - 0 al Celtic en un partido en el que los italianos no jugaron bien, pero que les sirve para viajar con un colchón de seguridad al Mundial de Clubes. Inzaghi fue el anotador del gol y de paso se convirtió en el máximo goleador en competiciones europeas de clubes.

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Sprry I haven't been around this week.� There hasn't been too much news on the MLS front to cover since the Expansion Draft (as if Waiver Drafts ever have any impact), and I certainly have nothing to say about the Galaxy's jaunt through Oceania.� Instead, let me point you to a great post by Loney, in which he skewers some Canuck's opinion of MLS team names.

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The juice: Hopeful MLS fans are keeping a close watch on Andriy Shevchenko's fallout with Chelsea. According to The Daily Express, Shevchenko hopefuls have something to talk about again. It appears as if Chelsea is not only ready to listen to offers for Shevchenko, but the club also is prepared to take a massive loss on the Ukrainian international. Click to continue reading...

Most clubs sign players for the here and now. When you read of a team's summer signings, you expect a good number of them to be turning out come the first match in August.

Not Arsenal. Patience is the key for any young Arsenal signing, as this report shows.

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Steven Goff reports in the Washington Post's "Soccer Insider" blog that the San Jose Earthquakes will make their 2008 ESPN2 debut on Thursday, April 3, when they will travel to the Home Depot Center to take on the L.A. Galaxy.... Click to continue reading...

In a match that was played one week early (due to the Rossoneri's upcoming FIFA Club World Cup commitments), Milan capped the Group Stage of their Champions League campaign with a victory, 3 points which give Carlo Ancelotti's team the first spot in the Group D rankings. The one who'll be doing the most of [. Click to continue reading...

Hot off the email presses and other news sources. The MLS has announced who will be playing who in the opening weekend of the 2008 season on March 29. The first match-up that stands out is obvious, a re-match of the MLS Cup between Houston at New England. Along with that game on the "First Kick" [... Click to continue reading...

Florent Malouda has taken great exception to the training methods in London. Malouda, as most may know, is the guy who was tackled by the ghost of Christmas past during the final in Berlin, giving ZZ the chance to put that PK off the bar, as well as being a pretty decent winger. The assumption [...] Click to continue reading...

Luis Aragones may look grumpy, but he's feeling confident. He thinks his Spain team are ready to go all the way at Euro 2008 after failing to fulfill their potential in recent tournaments. Here's what he told sports paper Marca today: "Until now teams like Italy, France, Brazil and Argentina have been better than us, [. Click to continue reading...

Quick Mourinho for England update. I wrote a few days ago about how the jungle drums were deliberately beating and leading to the inevitable hiring of The Special One for the Three Lions job. Now, a prominent BBC journalist has added his well respected opinion and demanded the FA pick up the phone and call Jose (see link below). Click to continue reading...

Loyal readers of this blog will know my affection for Kenyan football.
So today's Reuter's article about the Kenyan game struck a major chord.
Can football succeed in Kenya? There's been many ups and downs, with FIFA sanctions and poor play coupled with bad administration. Click to continue reading...

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QPR Official Site: QPR 1 Crystal Palace 2
Colchester 20 -2 20
Cardiff 19 -5 20
Blackpool 19 -5 20
Preston 20 -6 18
Norwich 20 -12 18
QPR 19 -14 16
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - DESPERATELY DISAPPOINTING
Luigi De Canio was at a loss to explain Rangers' disappointing second half display in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace. Click to continue reading...

Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini have been ruled out of Arsenal's trip to Newcastle on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 1.Arsene Wenger's side will now be without the services of four international midfielders. Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby both missed the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday with hamstring and back injuries respectively and will not be fit in time for the journey to Tyneside.

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Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has become a beacon of light amid a public dispute between Reds manager Rafael Benitez and the club's American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, over transfer policy.
The Spain striker's goal in the 4-0 win over Bolton last weekend was his 11th in 17 matches and left the Reds six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal in third place.

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LFC has been ripe with potential blog material about Gerrard the Great (courtesy of his recent form), the first Lucas Leiva (not the next anyone), Kewell (no he's not injured again), even more surprisingly is the u-turn by the media (muppets) on Liverpools prospects of challenging for the title.
The last thing I expected to happen to My Anfield was that I would contract a form of "irregular bloggage" which is precisely what I have done since reading an article about it last Friday on a usually funny blog called MooDog (LINK). Click to continue reading...

Liverpool's young Brazilian star Lucas Leiva is relishing the chance to play alongside two colleagues he rates among the best in the world.
Lucas has been drafted into Liverpool's midfield in recent games late alongside skipper Steven Gerrard, and with record signing Fernando Torres in front of him.

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It seems Tom Hicks was right after all. Rafael Benitez should focus on coaching and training his team – because he seems to be doing a pretty good job of it at the moment.
And all in all, this approach will only help Benitez if his simmering confrontation with the Americans boils to the surface again. Click to continue reading...

Mathieu Flamini and Alex Hleb have joined Arsenal's lengthy injury list for tomorrow's game at St. James' Park. The pair join fellow midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby, as well as long-term casualty Robin van Persie.
Hleb picked up a hamstring injury during Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa over the weekend after a nasty tackle. Click to continue reading...

Sorry, I'm a sucker for new themes. This is very sparse isn't it?� I might not keep it. The reserves won tonight.� I was going to go, but then remembered how cold and fed up I got at the Coca-Cola Cup game against Bolton.� � White Lines were there though. Hop on over. So, no [...] Click to continue reading...

Not for the first time over the course of the last few months, my thoughts have been turning back to Enfield again over the course of the day. Some of you will already have read it, but for those of you that haven't, here it is again:
Enfield 1-0 Lincoln City - FA Trophy Quarter-Final 1988: Enfield had a pretty awesome cup team in the early to mid 1980s, and knocked a string of League clubs out of the FA Cup. Click to continue reading...

Diving is a hot topic almost every week in the Premiership, none more so though when Cristiano Ronaldo was booked by Rob Styles after tumbling over Niemi's challenge at Old Trafford on Monday Night. There is no doubt in my mind that Ronaldo's reputation counted against him when Styles made his decision and if that is the case then perhaps there was some form of justice. Click to continue reading...

With his second-half goal today, Pippo Inzaghi both passed Gerd Muller's all-time UEFA scoring record and put Milan through at the top of Group D, with room to spare. No matter how much difficulty he has finding the back of the net in Serie A, or how long he has to wait to get another shot with the Azzurri, Inzaghi has always, always been able to score in Europe; the goal today was his 63rd in only 98 European matches.

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Some people have way too much time on their hands. This one must, and for that we're thankful. Ken Roberts, a software engineer from the States of America United, has written a computer program which generates the probability that each team wins the championship of each league. He's done it for all the major American [. Click to continue reading...

A Note From good ol' Joe: Don't forget to set your TIVO to watch this year's holiday train wreck: Barbara Walters interviews the Beck-Mans – Thursday on ABC.
Word is beginning to leak about next seasons MLS home openers:
-The New San Jose Earthquakes will start their season at home on March 29 v New York. Click to continue reading...

The luck of the Irish was on Celtic's side today, as Gordon Strachan's team advanced to the Champions League Round of 16 despite losing the final group stage game at AC Milan. Celtic Chairman John Reed should send a thank-you letter to Oscar Cardozo and Benfica Lisbon, as the Portuguese side beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 on a brace by Cardozo, which assured Celtic's advance. Click to continue reading...

Spurs captain Robbie Keane will be suspended for both upcoming games against Manchester City, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

The Irish striker was sent off against Birmingham City on Sunday, and with his two-footed challenge earning him a straight red card he was handed an immediate three-match ban.

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Netherlands boss Marco van Basten and his assistant John van't Schip will be stepping down after Euro 2008. It's been an interesting spell for the former AC Milan striker. He had no first team managerial experience when he took the Dutch job, but had spent a few years studying coaching and also some experience with [. Click to continue reading...

My Christmas plans involve hosting in-laws for three days, so being spirited off for four days of football stuff at hotels sounds pretty good to me. Therefore I don't quite understand what the Newcastle guys are complaining about. But for some reason they are not at all happy with Big Sam Allardyce's plans [. Click to continue reading...

Name : Fernando Torres
Age : 23
Club : Liverpool
Position : Striker
Cost : £26.5 million
Torres became Liverpool's record signing during the summer after completing a £26 million deal from Spanish side Atletico Madrid. Torres arrived with a reputation for scoring goals and he has certainly shown he can do that in the Premier League. Click to continue reading...

FC Dallas Record (W-L-T): 13-12-5; 37 GF, 44 GA Source Material: Schedule/match reports; roster Overview Some recent constants held for FC Dallas in 2007: lead the Western Conference at in the early-mid part of the season - check; head into the post-season like a pack of whipped dogs - check; consequently, lose in the first round - check; have [. Click to continue reading...

Tottenham's appeal to have striker Robbie Keane's three match ban rescinded has failed. The striker picked up a straight red card during Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Birmingham at White Hart Lane and many people felt the decision by referee Phil Dowd was very harsh.
Keane will now miss the Premier League games against Premier League high flier Manchester City and Portsmouth as well as the Carling Cup tie with City. Click to continue reading...

Sam Allardyce has admitted today that he isn't getting too much sleep at night as he tries to find a way for Newcastle out of the bad patch they are currently in. Sam Allardyce - not getting too much sleep at nights We remember earlier in the season Sam saying that he never slept much before a [.. Click to continue reading...

Well, here it begins. This is my first post for The Soccer Weblog, and I guess I'll start out by saying a few things about myself. I like to consider myself a real fan of the game- that is to say, I hate the footballing aristocracy, the teams that can buy any player in the world, who view smaller teams with the audacity to challenge them as worthless upstarts who will be, invariably, branded as diving, fouling, untalented hacks. Click to continue reading...

The Belgrade derby is not one to be taken lightly. Here are the Partizan fans at Red Star Belgrade's stadium, colloquially known as the Marakana (after the more famous stadium in Brazil). Oh, and that's a flying seat at the top of the image. Photo credit: JonHall on Flickr, via the Pitch Invasion photo pool. Click to continue reading...

It has been widely reported today that Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has a problem on his mind. A problem of what to spend his money on. Either he buys former Manchester City striker Nicolas Anelka off Bolton for £12 million or Peter Crouch from Liverpool for £8 million.
Now whilst Anelka was at City he was arguably one of their best ever strikers until he (or should I say his brothers) got greedy. Click to continue reading...

•Roma's biggest Ultra groups have announced that they will not attend the team's home match with Caglari tomorrow. They won't come together elsewhere this time (as they did during the Udine match), but instead will just stay home.

•Antonio Cassano is jumping up and down outside Roberto Donadoni's back window, begging to be allowed to wear the blue shirt again.

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Virtually from the moment he landed in London and received his first glare of disgust from Jose Mourinho, the football rumor mill has been spinning out stories about Andriy Shevchenko and his seemingly inevitable departure from Chelsea. Milan's desperate attempts to get him back on the cheap failed last summer, but club VP Adriano Galliani's [. Click to continue reading...

While many of the Champions League participants have another week to wait until they hit the pitch for Matchday 6, Group D will conclude tonight with AC Milan hosting Celtic and Shakhtar hosting Benfica. With that in mind, it's time for an early - or on time - preview of all of the Matchday [...] Click to continue reading...

I seriously feel that anytime I see a decently big name from Europe linked to the MLS rumor mill that I am beating a dead horse. Hearing this morning that Chelsea striker Andrei Shevchenko is on his way out of England and coming to the MLS made me feel that way yet again. The rumor never [...] Click to continue reading...

Mohammedan defeated Abahani 5-4 in sudden-death tiebreaker after the two archrivals' first meeting of the three-match Teletalk Series ended in a goalless draw at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday, but the winners wounded the spirit of the game when they refused to play over a disallowed goal. Click to continue reading...

Las Águilas del América cayeron en casa en partido de ida de la final de la Copa Sudamericana, ante el cuadro argentino de Arsenal de Sarandí. Las Águilas una vez mas dieron muestra de las carencias que tienen en la parte defensiva, y es que es increíble que un equipo que se distingue por tener [. Click to continue reading...

That, at least, is the state of things according to an article in Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport, which brings together the various compliments of the Big Names who have seen Milan's Alexandre Pato play, and have ever since been falling all over themselves to put insane amounts of pressure on him praise him to [. Click to continue reading...

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QPR Official Site
TEAM NEWS
QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Buzsaky, Rowlands, Sahar, Malcolm, Vine, Rehman, Leigertwood, Sinclair.
Subs: Cole, Bolder, Ainsworth, Nygaard, Balanta.
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Hill, Hudson, Scowcroft, Morrison, Watson, Soares, Butterfield, Fonte, Songo'o, Derry. Click to continue reading...

Last week we featured Tommy Drake, the clutch goal scoring midfielder. This week we're featuring a clutch goal stopping machine Aaron Shanahan. He began playing with St. Pat's Athletic club at 18 and has played for several clubs in the Ericom Irish League such as, Kilkenny City FC and Dundalk FC.

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Oh, right, it's December. Time for your nominees for Male and Female CONCACAF player of the year. Said player can be a CONCACAF player whose club is outside CONCACAF, or an outside player whose club is in North or Central America. In other words, George Weah rules. I have my frontrunners - in fact, support [. Click to continue reading...

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Crystal Palace Official Site - Lawrence Out As Boss Looks Ahead To QPR
Neil Warnock believes the next six games will tell him all he needs to know about his Palace players - beginning with a trip to QPR tonight.
After the trip to Loftus Road, the Eagles manager is looking ahead to matches at Barnsley, Coventry and Sheffield United as well as Selhurst tests against Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle. Click to continue reading...

Like many futbolistas Yanquis, the Eleven Devils Editorial Commissar makes regular visits to the invaluable blog Du Nord, a wide-ranging compendium of soccer news updated just about every day by some Irish Viking maniac in Minnesota. Du Nord is a great example of why my fellow "professional" journalists just need to shut the fuck up about blogs: Bruce does something no mainstream media outlet in this country does, and does it really well. Click to continue reading...

Arsene Wenger talked to Arsenal TV Online today, and while he admitted he didn't know exactly what was going on inside the Newcastle United club, the pressure on Sam Allardyce seemed somewhat unfair, at least from the outside. Arsene Wenger - thinks Sam Allardyce needs more time at Newcastle Speaking today about the pressure on the beleaguered [. Click to continue reading...

Great news at Camp Barça with the medical OK for SAMUEL ETO´O to return to the playing field. It comes a the best moment as Thiery Henry will be out of action for between 3-4 weeks due to a back... Read all the news, results, details & comments in English on Spanish Football & Sports Click to continue reading...

I should be above this sort of thing. Sadly, it's December, and MLS news is at a standstill. I know, but I just can't bring myself to care about the early rounds of the Champions League. The only thing more pointless than letting rich non-champions into the Champions League is round-robin group [. Click to continue reading...

Sam Allardyce talked to the Newcastle Journal this morning, about players sometimes being unhappy with what the manager does, and he rightly says, that it's not at all unusual. The interview was given before Steve Harper and Shay Given issued their very responsible statement saying all the players at the club were firmly behind the manager, [. Click to continue reading...

UEFA has begun a full scale match-fixing investigation after Interpol turned over a 96 page dossier with information on Champions League, InterToto and UEFA Cup matches which are thought to be part of a betting scandal. 15 games are being examined. Click to continue reading...

I wasn't able to go to the match even though White Hart Lane is a lot closer to my home than St Andrews. I'd known this for a while but I was nevertheless consoled by the knowledge that SKY was televising the match and sure enough I settled down in my living room at 16.00 [...] Click to continue reading...

For all the talk about tactics, injuries, blundering goakeepers, foreigners and plastic pitches, the one thing England players definitely need to work on is how they spend their free time. Roy Keane said as much when he labeled certain England players "big heads who are side-tracked by stuff away from football. Click to continue reading...

Another week and another Premier League star who wants to show a girl what he looks like naked and is then surprised when the press get hold of the snaps. This time it's decent Aston Villa winger and England prospect Ashley Young, who put on a hot webcam show of himself stripping and then ‘meeting Lady Palm and her Five Lovely Daughters' for beauty therapist Sarah Taylor, whom he had literally just met on the Webcamo dating site. Click to continue reading...

Winter is here in many parts of the northern United States. I picked up a pair of the new Nike indoor boots this week. They are very nice - I will get a report up on how the feel on the ball once I break them in. Click to continue reading...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRfrEgpQoi0 Persecution complex? Check. Consumed by self-pity? Check. Stubbed out a cigar in someone's eye? Check. Found Jesus to avoid having to answer for anything he's done? Check. Massive asshole? Check! [via Who Ate All the Pies] The Offside Blogging Team can also be found at these Offside blogs: Roma | World Cup | LA Galaxy | [. Click to continue reading...

If you've bothered to take a gander at our remaining fixtures for the rest of this month and early January, at the very least you'll notice the congestion, but a closer look reveals a set of difficult, crucial matches uncomfortably crammed together. Between December 8th and January 2nd, a 26 day period, we play 8 matches, or one every 3. Click to continue reading...

You may be of the opinion that Cristiano Ronaldo deserved a penalty on Monday night after being 'brought down' by Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi. Ryan Giggs certainly thinks so, coming out in support for the Portuguese winger. "I think he is paying for his reputation," Giggs said. "He did have a reputation [for diving] when [. Click to continue reading...

This is video from when Javier was playing over the pond in South America. To be fair if anyone reacted like this after I tackled them I wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry. Probably a combination of both. Seriously, this thing is so camp it would even make Christopher Biggins blush... Click to continue reading...

Pompey's current African Cup contingent [Nigeria's Kanu and John Utaka, Ghana's Sulley Muntari and Senegal's Papa Bouba Diop] are so far pencilled in to miss the Fratton Park clashes with Derby on January 19 and Chelsea on February 2.They could also miss trips to Manchester United (January 30) and Bolton (February 9), as well as a potential FA Cup fourth-round tie on January 26. Click to continue reading...

Premier League leaders Arsenal have seen midfielder Mathieu Flamini added to their absentee list with a reoccurrence of his thigh problem ahead of Wednesday night's game at Newcastle
Winger Alexander Hleb (Achilles), Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (back) are also out, so Brazilians Gilberto and Denilson are set to come into contention.

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We all saw Panchito Mendoza turn into Pancho, one of Chivas USA's most valuable assets. Now we will see Pancho apply his trade in Mexico.

Article
Mendoza's move is now official, as the team loses another player.

Chivas USA's Preston Burpo left for San Jose a few weeks ago.

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It comes as no surprise to discover that Tottenham's appeal against Robbie Keane's red card on Sunday has been turned down by the FA. On a day where El Hadji Diouf tried to amputate Alvaro Arbeloa's leg and received a yellow card, the Irishman was dismissed for a clumsy challenge on Birmingham's Fabrice Muamba after [. Click to continue reading...

Robbie Keane will miss the north London derby with Arsenal after Tottenham's appeal against his red card for serious foul play against Birmingham was rejected.
The striker, 27, will now serve a three-match domestic suspension as a result of the dismissal for a challenge on Birmingham's Fabrice Muamba.

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Chicago Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez and Houston Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario will be traveling to the African nation of Mali as part of a UN Foundation delegation that includes spokespeople for the Nothing But Nets campaign. While there, the two MLS stars will observe the distribution of over two million long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets to children and their families, in hopes of combating malaria. Click to continue reading...

In honor of the start of Hanukkah,� I thought it would be nice to take a look back at what I think may be one of the season's biggest gifts so far Fernando Torres and his 11 goals one for each night of Jewish holiday. What? Hanukkah only has eight nights? Well... tough. It's no secret [...] Click to continue reading...

No, no voy a hablar del comercial de TV Azteca, donde se ve a una aficionada de hueso colorado al fútbol, si no a mi sentir en éste momento en la final del fútbol mexicano. En ésta temporada, a un solo juego de temporada no falté al "volcán" a ver a mi equipo jugar, casi puedo [...] Click to continue reading...

Can anybody stop Inter Milan?

That's the question these days around Europe as the Italian champions keep plowing through the competition. Led by Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Inter is riding an 11-0-2 streak in its past 13 matches. Their only blemish this season was an early-season Champions League loss to Turkish club Fenerbahce.

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Last week, the media were reporting that the Namibian Coach, Ben Bamfuchile, had resigned to go back to his mining business. This week, they're reporting that he says he never did any such thing. Click to continue reading...

Because of Milan's commitments to the Club World Cup in Japan, the last Group D matches Milan hosting Celtic, and Benfica traveling to Shakhtar are being play today rather than next week, with everyone else.

Milan go into the match needing just a point to finish top of the group, assured of a helpful seeding going into the knockout stages.

Click to continue reading...

According to the Birmingham Mail, Everton are in the hunt for a new young goalkeeper by the name of Wayne Hennessey. The current Wolves number one has been racking up the clean sheets at Molineux this season and, despite Mick McCarthy's protestations that the Welsh youngster isn't for sale, he's apparently been watched by Goodison [. Click to continue reading...

By 1970's Gooner Back in May of this year when Arsenal were stumbling to fourth place in the Premier League I felt the need to write an article on what Arsenal needed to do to challenge for the coming season. It was written in frustration of the so many things that Arsene Wenger needed to fix that to me and many other fellow gooners were so obviously apparent. Click to continue reading...

Selected stories from around World Cup Blog and The Offside... So sick of playing the French (Italy Blog) Who are similarly sick of seeing Buffon's face (France Blog) Small teams rule in South America (Uruguay Blog) Florent Malouda not happy at Chelsea (Lyon Offside) Switzerland are going to win Euro 2008, you heard it here first (Switzerland Blog) An introduction to [. Click to continue reading...

I'm taking ultra-smilance to another level.� � � The Times have kindly let me write words on their website.� � � See here for my first effort.� � � Yes, I'm ignoring the many negative things, but that's the way it is for me at the moment.� � I'm an evangelist, or something.� � You see Steve Davis bungle a defensive header; I see [. Click to continue reading...

Most Spurs fans would argue that it's the defence that needs to be addressed immediately, but the North London club have today been linked with a Spanish left-winger. Albert Rieira is hardly a household name in European football, despite recently making his debut for the national team. Man City fans will recall his loan spell [. Click to continue reading...

Paul Anderson is expected to be back on the pitch for Swansea today when the Swans take on Northampton in a League One fixture. The 19-year-old winger suffered a slight knock on the knee against Hartlepool last Tuesday and missed his club's FA Cup draw at Horsham last Friday. The Swans still sit atop the League One table though by game-in-hand, Nottingham Forest could overtake them with just a draw and Carlisle United both could surpass them with a win. Click to continue reading...

That's the current rumor out of Britian from sources such as The Mirror.� Before everyone gets excited, let me explain how these things work: First, a big time player in one of the major European leagues finds himself disgruntled.� Then, his agent opens up preliminary discussions with everyone he can. Click to continue reading...

Is here.

Check out the previous post for a picture gallery and more from the Under-23 camp at the HDC.

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Winter is here in many parts of the northern UNited States. I picked up a pair of the new Nike indoor boots this week. They are very nice - I will get a report up on how the feel on the ball once I break them in. Click to continue reading...

This post is part of the Goalkeeper Commercials and Producs Series.
Continental tires decided to advertise the amazing grip its tread provides to Spain by using none other than the most notable goalkeeper in the country, Iker Casillas.
My favorite part of this commercial is how Casillas is revealed from under the cloak and hood after "continentalizing" his gloves. Click to continue reading...

This post is part of the Goalkeeper Commercials and Producs Series.
Continental tires decided to advertise the amazing grip its tread provides to Spain by using none other than the most notable goalkeeper in the country, Iker Casillas.
My favorite part of this commercial is how Casillas is revealed from under the cloak and hood after "continentalizing" his gloves. Click to continue reading...

This post is part of the Goalkeeper Commercials and Producs Series.
Continental tires decided to advertise the amazing grip its tread provides to Spain by using none other than the most notable goalkeeper in the country, Iker Casillas.
My favorite part of this commercial is how Casillas is revealed from under the cloak and hood after "continentalizing" his gloves. Click to continue reading...

[I]t surprised me initially to see the aerial presence of Bent sacrificed for Jermain Defoe, though finding out later that Bent had suffered a thigh strain cleared things up. What it didn't clear up is our ever-increasing injury crisis, which was hit even harder when Bale limped off with fifteen minutes to go.

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Corinthian fans dismayed with their club's relegation took it out on their players and chairman Andres Sanchez. A disgruntled fan hid in the toilet of the bus ferrying the players to the airport after their match with Gremio and then emerged threatening them with physical injury. Some players were asked to sing the club anthem to prove their fealty to the club.

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One of the basic principles of economics is scarcity. There is a limited resource, and a task is how best to divide it. In Major League Soccer, money is the resource most subject to the rules on scarcity (even without jokes on profitability). We may want our teams to be talent stocked like Barcelona, or Liverpool, or Arsenal, but the money simply isn't there.

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As AC Milan will be heading to Tokyo to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup against Boca Juniors and other regional champions, the final group games in Group D have been bumped up to today.
Coming off last week's results, AC Milan have already qualified for the next round but will want to finish on top of the group. Click to continue reading...

Danny Guthrie has impressed Bolton to the point that they are interested in keeping him on permanently, but according to manager Gary Megson, they have yet to speak to the 20-year-old about his intentions nor have they initiated talks with LFC. Due to the central midfield clutter, it is understood that Guthrie is available at the right price. Click to continue reading...

There's a long history of violence in Serbian football and, even now, it's rare that a big match comes off without fights between fans and, sometimes, pauses in play while things are brought under control. And, during this weekend's match between Red Star Belgrade and Hajduk Kula, it happened again. Click to continue reading...

The Thrill of Victory, and The Agony of Defeat While the major European domestic seasons are just nearing their halfway point, a few leagues that I've previously mentioned in my world report have come to an end in exciting fashion. Urawa Red Diamonds, recently crowned Asian champions just three weeks ago, must have worn down at the [. Click to continue reading...

Teclea tu email Partido de Ida Jueves 6 de Diciembre Pumas vs Atlante Estadio Olímpico de Ciudad Universitaria 21:00 hrs. Partido de Vuelta Domingo 9 de Diciembre Atlante vs Pumas Estadio Andrés Quintana Roo, Cancún 18:00 hrs. Por cierto, si... Click to continue reading...

More of the latest news from the transfer rumours coming up in today's headlines. Arsenal are preparing a £5m move for PSV Eindhoven's Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay. The young midfielder, who has Moroccan roots, is considered as one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from the Netherlands recently. Click to continue reading...

Is this what the FA meant by a root-and-branch investigation? I didn't really want to post about the tabloid news that Aston Villa star Ashley Young was caught 'pleasuring himself' on a webcam, as he chatted to beauty therapist Sarah Taylor, 21. It's all too depressing that another young England star is revealed to have the judgment of an amoeba, the charm of a gnat and his brains in his shorts. Click to continue reading...

The Scottish Premier League (SPL) is preparing the ground as much as possible to help Glasgow Rangers to qualify for the second phase of this season's Champions League. Sunday's match against the might of Gretna has been postponed to allow more preparation time for the Lyon match; the entire protestant population of south west Scotland is being given two days off work to focus on providing the necessary support; airports, roads and ferries are to be searched to reveal any French supporters trying to sneak in to the country; university boffins are focusing on cloud seeding to generate some driech weather for the guests; there are plans to offer bribes and housing extensions for the properties of the match officials; super-bugs are being liberally distributed in the kitchens of one particular five star hotel; there are even rumours of the sequel to The Wicker Man being filmed with Alain Perrin in starring role. Click to continue reading...

By 1970's Gooner It's reported that Arsene Wenger's problems with injuries are continuing. Midfielders Fabregas and Diaby are known absentees for the away game at St James Park. Now Sky is reporting that Mathieu Flamini is out with a thigh injury he picked up at Villa Park. This is a pity as Mathieu was in inspiring form against Aston Villa scoring the equalizer in a more advanced midfield Click to continue reading...

It has been reported today in the sun that Everton are interested in signing Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey come the opening of the January transfer window.
Everton are reported to be ready to launch a £4 million bid for the Wales international. Hennessey really made his name at Stockport County last season when keeping an impressive six clean sheets in as many games for the League Two side. Click to continue reading...

Ives Galarcep of the New Jersey Herald News reports that the Quakes will open their 2008 campaign against Red Bull New York on Saturday, March 29 at Buck Shaw Stadium. This is actually different from what our sources have told... Click to continue reading...

Howdy. The Management here. Just wanted to pass along a few notes of interest to you (yes, you!), all of which benefit the club's non-profit arm, United for D.C. 1) Bobby will make an appearance this evening (Tuesday) at the United for D.C./Screaming Eagles Happy Hour at Grand Slam Sports Bar (1000 H Street NW) from [. Click to continue reading...

Well, not dead, exactly; she's just in second place by 20 points or so, due to an atrocious week and an amazing couple of weeks from RedCard_10, managed by Denis Underwood. I'd also like to note that of the 100,000+ leagues, the ThroughBall.com fantasy league is the 786th best. Very impressive, folks keep up the good [. Click to continue reading...

Michael Flynn of Blackpool celebrates scoring the equalising goal during the Championship match between Scunthorpe United and Blackpool at Glanford Park on December 3, 2007. Photo Gary M. Prior/Getty Images Click to continue reading...

In danger of scraping the barrel after Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool had toasted heartily for strong performances over the weekend, Manchester United came into the match against Fulham with only one thing in mind: to win. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as United beat Fulham 2-0 at home on Monday to restore some respectability to their league [. Click to continue reading...

Ever play Candyland with a three-year-old? Ever stack the cards when she's not looking so she can win, just because it's tough being little? And because she's been really good up to this point? And because you've had a long freakin' day and really don't feel like listening to her throw a [...] Click to continue reading...

This article is a submission for the Soccerlens ‘Share Your Football Experiences' Contest; to participate, please read the details here. Australia 3 Japan 1, Reads the scoreboard on a hot Summer's day in Kaiserslautern, Germany on the 12th of June; Anybody looking at a score like that would think 3-1 is a fairly one-sided affair, But [. Click to continue reading...

According to our recent poll, you the readers, have voted Petr Cech the Premier League's best keeper. In the end Cech ran away with the vote leaving Liverpool keeper Jose Pepe Reina in his shadows. Cech has been an essential part of the Chelsea team , that has seen the London club claim two league titles in three seasons. Click to continue reading...

Watch the highlights where Cristiano Ronaldo gets booked for diving. Well, you tell me ...is it a dive or not?

english premier league, EPL, manchester united vs fulham Click to continue reading...

Good morning SBI Nation, it is Tuesday and there should be plenty to discuss today. I will start the day off with the weekly installment of Americans Abroad.

There were no goals scored by Americans this past weekend but there were more players playing than usual (at least it seemed that way).

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It's strange, you know. Just recently we seem to have been concentrating on everything except the Premier League. We've written about the Euro 2008 qualifying competition and the draw for the Finals. We've written about the draw for the World Cup 2010 qualifiers and the early rounds of this season's FA Cup, but the Premier League. Click to continue reading...

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Chelsea Official Site - FA CUP DATE ANNOUNCED
Chelsea will face Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup third round on Saturday 5 December.
Kick-off for the Blues defence of the FA Cup will be at 3pm from Stamford Bridge.
Ticket details will be announced soon. Chelsea
FA - TV Lineup
5. Click to continue reading...

By Martin Petty

BANGKOK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - The Iranian Football Federation (IFF) is likely to postpone this week's election for a new president after world governing body FIFA refused to recognise the polls, an IFF official told Reuters on Tuesday.

The election, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to be put back because of a dispute over the IFF's new statutes, Amirhossein Karimpour, the IFF's head of international relations, said.

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Setanta Sports has signed up its millionth subscriber just four months after it began broadcasting live Premier League football. The figure, up from just 200,000 subscribers a year ago, does not include the two million plus viewers who also receive the service through their contracts with Virgin Media in the UK and NTL/Chorus in Ireland. Click to continue reading...

Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney. These are some example of mouthwatering partnership that have yet to be called a combination, but having them playing together send shivers to every defenders.

But in the English Premiership, there were some so called lethal combinations that have been successful.

Click to continue reading...

More rumours courtesy of Sportingo's Mark Apostolou. Big guns fight over Dutch wonderkid, Andriy Shevchenko tug-of-war and Nicky Shorey holding out for Manchester United or Newcastle – money and facts are no object with the latest tittle-tattle from the football rumour, news and gossip factory. Given Arsenal's extra financial clout derived from increased capacity and income [. Click to continue reading...

After scoring a fine goal at struggling Arminia Bielefeld, Franck Ribery ran to the Bielefeld section, where he taunted the home fans, who had been giving him some gentle stick –� Reuters Soccer Blog claims that the Bielefeld fans had been singing 'We have Kamper, who needs Ribery?', an ironic reference to their playmaker Jonas Kamper. Click to continue reading...

The UK's Mirror have re-opened the wound that is the Abrahomivich, Mourinho, Shevchenko rift. Many blame the expensive Sheva blow-up as the straw that broke the camel's back� between Mourinho and Abrahamovich.� Shevchenko� just wants to play and right now - even with Mourinho gone - he still doesn't. Click to continue reading...

For those of you who follow LFC proceedings using the Live Season Calendar, there'll be a week long wait until our FA Cup 3rd round fate has been determined, so for now I'll just stick down both Luton Town & Nottingham Forest for the 6th January and we'll see what happens ;-)
And for those of you who don't yet use it, it's a nifty enough tool which can be accessed from the top left of this webpage. Click to continue reading...

Arsenal have truly been in rampant form and continues to confound the critics with the way they have integrated themselves for the cause this season. It has been a joy and priviledge for me as an avid gunner to witness one of the most spectacular displays of football ever seen.

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(Summary is not available.) Click to continue reading...

Today's Champions League bet of the day comes from the Champions League tie between AC Milan and Celtic. Celtic go into the game needing only a point to secure qualification for the last sixteen whilst AC are already through, but need a point to finish the group as winners.
Celtic travel to the San Siro on the back of a 2-1 victory over Shaktar Donetsk last week, however with the Glasgow sides' awful away record in Europe they face a tough task tonight. Click to continue reading...

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Rehman and Curtiss departure has been speculated about/strongly rumoured in a variety of places, but there has been no official announcement.

BBC -Midfielder Ward exits Loftus Road
Queens Park Rangers have confirmed the departure of Australian midfielder Nicky Ward. Click to continue reading...

Steve Davis: Pro soccer works best in this country when it targets 20- and 30-somethings and ethnic audiences, influencers whose presence can create true happenings around game nights (over disparate cultures, no less). When it becomes "the thing to do," families and suburban singles will follow. Click to continue reading...

There's a completely fantastic article in today's La Gazzetta in which the author (Mirko Graziano, if you want to write him a thank you note. And no, it's not a pseudonym for me. Or RomaChris, at least as far as I know.) practically explodes with love for The Great Zlatan.

Click to continue reading...

The Peruvian league game between Sport Ancash and Universitario was abandoned this weekend due to a player brawl and fan riot, all caused by one player's cheeky first touch. With Sport Ancash leading 2-1, goalscorer Efrain Viafara controlled the ball by bringing it down with his arse. Impressive skills no doubt, but Universitario saw it [. Click to continue reading...

Boca Juniors striker Martín Palermo was charged with assaulting a hotel employee at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buenos Aires, establisment that the club stays at prior to every match within the city. Click to continue reading...

Boca Juniors striker Martín Palermo was charged with assaulting a hotel employee at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buenos Aires, establisment that the club stays at prior to every match within the city.

This occured Saturday when the club arrived prior to their match against Lanús.

Click to continue reading...

Phil on the dilemma of blooding local players in La Liga and the Segunda. Click to continue reading...

Whilst Chelsea manager Avram Grant denies any unhappiness, it has been reported that unneeded striker Andriy Shevchenko is filled with melancholy. The Ukrainian forward who scored 127 goals in his career at the San Siro, has since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2006 only managed to hit the net five times. Click to continue reading...

For all of you out there waiting on tenterhooks to find out exactly how well Abbey Clancy's acting career is going out in Hollywood, look no further because STT has had an exclusive update from the lady herself. Flying out to L.A. under a pseudonym, we were able to track down Ms Clancy through receipts one of our recon experts had found in a restaurant bin. Click to continue reading...

Guess the three footballers from each set of picture clues (click to enlarge): EASY MEDIUM HARD Answers after the click: Answers: EASY Joey Barton (Joey from Friends and the movie Barton Fink) MEDIUM Sami Hyypia (Sammy David Jr, a hip X-ray and Eyore from Winnie the Pooh) HARD Liam Ridgewell (Liam Neeson, a mountain ridge and a wishing well) How did you fare this week? Click to continue reading...

According to sources and various message boards, fed up Racing fans look to have Ricardo Lavolpe as their coach next year. Yesterday, Gustavo Costas stepped down as coach, and Miguel Angel Micó took over for him. Micó will coach the final match of the season against Colón. Click to continue reading...

According to sources and various message boards, fed up Racing fans look to have Ricardo Lavolpe as their coach next year. Yesterday, Gustavo Costas stepped down as coach, and Miguel Angel Micó took over for him. Micó will coach the final match of the season against Colón.
According to sources Lavolpe leads all of these mock polls over individuals like Osvaldo Ardiles, Antonio Mohamed, Claudio Borghi, Juan Ramón Carrasco, and Angel Cappa. Click to continue reading...

Three of Portsmouth's first-choice XI will be jetting out to Ghana next month for the African Nations Cup, with Harry Redknapp acknowledging that investment in new players is vital if his team are to finish in the top six of the Premier League. John Utaka, Sulley Muntari and Papa Bouba Diop have all played a [. Click to continue reading...

They say being a football manager is a stressful business and so it's proving for Steve Coppell, who has dropped his biggest hint yet that he's ready to quit football management very soon. "I'm looking very shortly at having some time off," the 52-year-old told The Sun. "I can't enjoy management. I work all week [. Click to continue reading...

Okay, I think I have a decent start at this off-season's player movement. I will try to update this every week (as long as there are moved to talk about), if not more than once a week once it gets closer to the season start in March. If you see a move that is incorrect or [...] Click to continue reading...

Not satisfied with defending Steve McClaren to the hilt and claiming how sad he was to see him go, Everton Captain Phil Neville has now moved to shield fledgling star Joleon Lescott from the boo-boys vitriol according to the Liverpool Echo. But the Everton captain seemed to damn Lesott with faint praise, claiming [. Click to continue reading...

David Cameron We have just got rid of one England manager who changed his policies depending what the press and the public said, so we don't need another one. Besides he is only two rows away from Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon so he would probably prefer a job with the Blues. Click to continue reading...

Sunderland are looking to sign West Ham striker Bobby Zamora in the January transfer window according to reports in the Daily Star today.
Zamora has struggled to get his place in The Hammers' starting eleven this season, with the presence of fellow strikers Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool's young Brazilian scamp Lucas has revealed that he is currently in utter awe at Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's sheer brilliance, and that playing with one of the best midfielders in the world is an inspiration. Leiva said: "Stevie and I are different players. I am younger and I am still learning and [. Click to continue reading...

Three of the Premier League's struggling clubs brought in new managers at the weekend in an attempt to save them from relegation – but who has the best chance. Steve Bruce was forced from Birmingham for a second stint at Wigan, which began with a baptism of fire for the former Man Utd captain against Man City – although he came out with a creditable draw. Click to continue reading...

The Liverpool switchboard have tickets on general sale today for the home match against Portsmouth. If you want to get involved like me, then you need to dial the following numbers: UK numbers and mobile phones: 0844 844 0844 Republic of Ireland and the rest of the world: 0044 870 220 2151 Good luck - you'll more than likely need it to get through. Click to continue reading...

In a niggly day of "he-said, she-said" bickering, Fulham top dog Lawrie Sanchez has thrown a denial back at Sir Alex that will probably sent the Scotsman's face an even brighter shade of vermilion. When Annti Niemi looked to have felled our erstwhile hero Ronaldo, The Lord of the Ferg claimed that Niemi's 'con-man' [. Click to continue reading...

Manchester United last night beat Fulham 2-0 but the Lord of the Ferg wasn't happy, leaping like a moany salmon in defence of his wonderboy Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming that he was cruelly denied a potential hat-trick by duplicitous actor Antti Niemi. Fergie said: "It was unbelievable. The keeper has conned the ref and Ronaldo has [. Click to continue reading...

Steve Harper and Shay Given woke up today, read the paper, and splattered it with half chewed corn flakes when they read allegations that they had gone to Big Sam in a three-man 'player revolt' to gripe about his tactics. Harper and Given issued a joint denial saying: "Having seen an article in [. Click to continue reading...

Reading full-back Nicky Shorey is a summer transfer target for Premier League sides Newcastle and West Ham, according to the mirror.
Shorey's Reading contract runs out this summer and Shorey is reported to have said he will reject a January move to either side in favour of receiving a bumper pay day in the summer. Click to continue reading...

1990 Chris Waddle and Paul Gascoigne lark about in Santa Claus costumes. I have no idea why they are doing so, but it's par for the course where Gazza is concerned. Photo Ben Radford/Allsport Click to continue reading...

Torres will get better and better according to our man Pepe. It must be so annoying in training watching the goals fly past you. I imagine it didn't happen so much when other people who shall remain nameless were at the club.HERE Pepe's been a busy boy. In the Times today, he's been talking about the Reds defence this season. Click to continue reading...

The Daily Mail is reporting that Chelsea's Florent Malouda is unhappy with life at Stamford Bridge and has handed over a bulging list of complaints. Complaint 1 - Training is an ultra-violent cripplefest and in actual games everybody plays like dunces. Malouda said: 'Training sessions here are terrifying. Click to continue reading...

In our constant efforts to keep our readers at TSF up-to-date with the comings and goings of RailHawks players during the off-season transfer period, we have been working the Cocount Telegraph overtime this week to try and confirm the following story. And the news we've discovered is not going to be popular with the members of the Jonny Be Good. Click to continue reading...

Jeff Winter today criticized Bolton attacker El Hadj Diouf for his tackle on Liverpool's Alvaro Arbeloa, which was just short of criminal assault, but only got Diouf a yellow card. Winter claims that Diouf's tackle was something that even Joey Barton would shudder at - Winter said: "Anyone who has ever played football knows that [. Click to continue reading...

Chringle, our Shit Lookalikes specialist, has outdone himself this time. I don't know what new form of crack you're on Chringle, but I'd like some please. Click to continue reading...

Looking for soccer gifts and ideas?� Finding the right soccer gift and more importantly the most appropriate soccer gift can be a real hassle. Well, I have come up with some ideas to help you out and get you thinking. There are plenty of soccer gift ideas around.� You can buy gifts that are practical and [. Click to continue reading...

I'm not one for goal clips on Youtube (or Yowtube as its called in the Black Country) . Often times I find the quality understandably poor and, as a Setanta UK subscriber (or at least it came bundled with my cable package), I know that I need only wait until Wednesdays when Bundesliga Highlights is shown at ten o clock on Setenta 1. Click to continue reading...

Maybe Malouda is actually onto something here, he seems to have unravelled all the problems in English football and English culture in one sensational rant.
Lets analyse what he has said,
"During the actual games [in England] it is as though everybody's brains are switched off,"
Sorry Malouda i think you have got it all wrong, you see you have put brains and english footballers in the same sentence. Click to continue reading...

So claims the Sun, who reckon that Mike Ashley will be booming: "Off with his head!" bloody soon. The Sun reckons that: "three senior stars — believed to include Shay Given and Steve Harper — have confronted the under-siege Toon boss. The tearaway trio told Big Sam they do not like his tactics, his [. Click to continue reading...

Former Turkish international defender Özalan Alpay, who has said he is close to signing with an MLS team, will be allowed to leave 2nd Bundesliga side Cologne on a free transfer this winter. Alpay had a falling out with his coach Christoph Daum this season and was relegated to the bench. The club agreed to let him stay until the January transfer window to stay fit, according to a statement by the Bundesliga (who also own the rights to this photo). Click to continue reading...

Jose Mourinho has shifted a little bit closer to the England job with The Sun claiming the Special One has said he'd quite fancy the England job and he most definitely isn't using it as a bargaining chip for some swanky managerial job on the continent. Mourinho's spokesman said: "It would be an honour. Click to continue reading...

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18 months after joining QPR with much fanfair, Nick Ward has been released.
QPR Official Site -WARD LEAVES
Australian midfielder Nicky Ward has had his contract terminated by mutual consent with immediate effect.
The 22 year-old, who joined the R's from Hyundai A League side Perth Glory in the summer of 2006, made 23 appearances in all competitions for Rangers, scoring one goal. Click to continue reading...

Editor's note: Most of you will have noticed that we often linked to Rome-based blogger Spangly Princess during the recent crisis in Italy. Well, she'll now be writing regularly for Pitch Invasion, and today brings us an update on the Catania-Palermo rivalry, ten months on from the death of a policeman that marked the previous [. Click to continue reading...

Raúl is currently going through a rebirth after three seasons of languishing form that gave him enough reason to become ostracized from the Spanish national team. But he wasn't. Click to continue reading...

Raúl is currently going through a rebirth after three seasons of languishing form that gave him enough reason to become ostracized from the Spanish national team. But he wasn't. Click to continue reading...

Raúl is currently going through a rebirth after three seasons of languishing form that gave him enough reason to become ostracized from the Spanish national team. But he wasn't.
Now that he is playing well, Luis Aragonés does not call him up anymore.
"In life, time always puts everyone in their place. Click to continue reading...

"You have to have so many gifts as an international manager. Fair play to [McClaren] being nominated for the job, let alone getting it. But it looks a step too far..."--Former Irish international Paul McGrath, in prescient comments after Steve McClaren was given the job as England manager last year. Click to continue reading...

Zak Whitbread continues his resurgence with a goal for Millwall while Watford and Jay DeMerit snapped a four-game winless streak. Click to continue reading...

The Newcastle United captain Geremi has promised Newcastle United fans they will soon get better results, as the players are trying very hard to turn things around at the club. Certainly we were quite pleased with the performance at Blackburn and the last 45 minutes of that game was a real cracker to watch – a [. Click to continue reading...

Who's this beautiful English actress - born in Cuckfield, Sussex, England Funny Football Quotes Here's some funny quotes that will help lighten up the day - which we all need at times "Souness critics must eat humble pie as he tansforms Newcastle." - Alan Hansen "The [...] Click to continue reading...

Cristiano Ronaldo had (in his standards) a very quiet game yet the runner up for European Player of The Year scored 2 goals to place Utd back in second spot in the League, he could have scored a third but he was denied a penalty and booked for diving instead by referee Rob Styles.

Although it was not initially clear whether contact was made, Niemi appeared to impede Ronaldo's progress, but the Hampshire official brandished a yellow card to the United man for simulation.

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Referee Rob Styles has landed himself in another controversy following his decision not to award Manchester United a penalty when Cristiano Ronaldo was brought down by Fulham keeper Niemi on Monday night. The Reds eventually ran out two-nil winners courtesy of a well taken Ronaldo brace. Ronaldo was on a hatrick when the former Saints keeper brought him down inside the box - it was a clear penalty - yet Styles booked Ronaldo for diving. Click to continue reading...

Over the past few years, Scouse idiot Joey Barton has had more than his fair share of tabloid press. In at attempt to try and launch some sort of charm offensive, the Newcastle United (and, lest we forget, England midfielder) agreed an interview with the toothless Gabby Logan on yesterday's "Inside Sport". Click to continue reading...

Could it be written somewhere that Cristiano Ronaldo is destined never to score a hat trick for Man Yoo? Europe's official second best player scored the brace that beat Fulham last night but was denied a hat trick when referee, Rob Stiles, booked him for diving instead of awarding what looked like a clear cut penalty towards the end. Click to continue reading...

Two of Newcastle United's longest serving players, goalkeepers Shay Given and Steve Harper, issued a statement today, through the official Newcastle Web-site that we list below. Steve Harper and Shay Given issue a statement today This is the statement the veteran goalkeepers have just issued today. Click to continue reading...

With both Adelaide United and the Newcastle Jets winning all three points on Friday night, the Melbourne Victory's Sunday-arvo match against the Perth Glory became all the more critical. A win would keep the Victory within a game of reaching the top 4; anything less would see them recede further away from finals football. Click to continue reading...

Werder Bremen beat Hamburg 2-1 in Bundesliga's crunch match this week. The club's remain in second and third place respectively but the result leaves Hamburg three points behind Werder and four points adrift of Bayern Munich. The table-toppers maintained their slender advantage in the league as Franck Ribery gave them victory against Arminia Bielefeld. Click to continue reading...

Sam talks to the press every day now and inevitably he is forced to defend his position at the club, and not surprisingly he's been doing that today too. Sam's right to point out that until the Reading game we were doing well and had our best start in 10 years. Sam Allardyce - trying to be [...] Click to continue reading...

A disappointing performance from Indonesia only served to highlight the same old problems that I have been highlighting on this blog for the last couple of years.
No penetration, no creativity, no killer touch.
If you want to be positive we can say that at least Indonesia do try and play football, building up slowly from the back, going through the middle, pulling wide. Click to continue reading...

There's been a lot of talk in the popular press about Alan Shearer being lined up for the Newcastle manager job, on a contingency basis, in case Newcastle slide even further into mediocrity. But after Arsenal we have four games we can win. Two away from home and two at home. We're sure Sam and [.. Click to continue reading...

If you answered no then you obviously didn't see BBC's Inside Sport last night. If you answered yes then please form an orderly queue. Self-centred doesn't cover it. Gabby Logan could have asked him what he had for breakfast and the answer would have been along the lines of: "Well, when you're me there is no point saying what you have had for breakfast because people have already made there minds up what food I eat. Click to continue reading...

Good morning, not much on the wires today, as the squad take the long journey up to the North East of England to face the Barcodes. Sam Allardyce is under pressure from the geordie fans to produce. given the squad, one wonders why Newcastle's fortunes have plummeted. My one worry about this fixture is that it comes at a time when our injury worries are mounting.

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Without being one of England's historic sporting rivals like Scotland or Germany, it's a bit strange that there were some Americans pleased with England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008. No one doubts that the Americans and the English have a somewhat tenuous history, but as far as recent politics go, things have generally [. Click to continue reading...

The news from Arsenal camp continues to resemble something that Hawkeye Pearce would be concerned with. More injury news from North London as Alexander Hleb has been ruled out of Wednesday's contest against Newcastle United. Hleb hurt his Achilles against... Click to continue reading...

That was a priceless win for Sunderland against Derby in the premier leagues battle of the bottom clubs. If anyone can keep Sunderland up surely its Roy Keane. They were very lucky though getting a 93rd minute winner after Derby missed a couple of sitters. It was very a low on confidence display from both Sunderland and Derby which is not surprising given the relegation battle both are in. Click to continue reading...

Marca's 'Schuster to England!' and 'Ramos to Milan!' stories published over recent weeks were merely the daintiest of digs aimed in Real Madrid's direction, compared to what they ran in their editorial section on Sunday.
The daily paper went for a full on kick in the gonads by suggesting that Rámon Calderón had rigged last year's presidential election and was milking the club for every penny it was worth, like a starving dairy farmer. Click to continue reading...

I won't lie, I love watching Celtic FC play football. I also know that to see them from the comfort of my home, I have to wait a few days to catch the replay on Setanta. The times I reach... Click to continue reading...

Fancy yourself as a writer or simply want to get something off your ch

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Probably the first and only musical tribute to Nigel Clough! Irish band The Sultans of Ping shook the music world with all the vigour of a mild bout of indigestion when they strolled onto the scene in the early 1990s. They did leave behind a few decent tracks, including this ode to Cloughie Jnr. Click to continue reading...

Take a peek at the Premier League table today and you'll see a familiar sight. Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool occupy the top four spots. If my memory serves correctly, it's the first time this season that it has... Click to continue reading...

Ever since straining his knee ligaments a few weeks ago against Schalke, Florent Malouda has had a lot of time on his hands to do something footballers are normally not encouraged to do - think.

He's technically a Chelsea player, but the reason he's unhappy is that he's been spoiled by the way Lyon take care of their players, which is why I'm gleefully posting this.

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When Liverpool signed Fernando Torres last summer, those with a more in depth insight on the Spanish game preached caution. "True, he is a fantastically talented forward," they said "but he's not a clinical finisher and he'll drift out of games especially when things aren't going his well." Anyone seeing in him the heir of Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler or Michael Owen should think again was the warning. Click to continue reading...

Good Tuesday to you all. I had been up and about nice and early only to receive a text message from Blogette to tell me she had no credit in her phone but needed me to ring her. Turns out that in her haste to leave for school this morning she left all her [...] Click to continue reading...

Picking out the prayer-worthy and the pooches from this past weekend's Premiership. Now with 10% extra alliteration. Click to continue reading...

Separating the delicious football wheat from the countless acres of internet chaff and delivering it in clickable form. Click to continue reading...

Charged with making a decision that will shape the future of English football, Brian Barwick turned to the manager of Finland.
Dithering FA needs a leader Click to continue reading...

The Newcastle manager is apparently still to persuade his squad that his scientific methods will bring success to Tyneside.
Sam Allardyce faces revolt in the ranks Click to continue reading...

A the start of the season the media termed FC BARCELONA´s potential forward line ( Henry, Eto´o, Ronaldinho & Messi) the "4 Fantasticos". In today´s "Sport" & in its cartoon... Read all the news, results, details & comments in English on Spanish Football & Sports Click to continue reading...

The recent arrests of Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and others have brought the whole investigations scandal of corruption in football back into the frame. The police probe began back on January 11th 2006 after Luton manager Mike Newell highlighted the concerning issue of bungs in football, openly criticising agents and claiming that illegal payments often [. Click to continue reading...

Way back in August I said Liverpool were the team to beat in the Premier League. I had a few detractors then. Any non-Liverpool fans supporters I had quickly jumped ship over the next few months. But I haven't given... Click to continue reading...

We should cherish Maldini while we can, whether against Celtic this evening or during his remaining Serie A and Champions League appearances in his farewell season. Football will not see Maldini's like again, says Henry Winter.
Cherish Milan's Paolo Maldini while we can
Gordon Strachan has a point to make against the European champions Click to continue reading...

Al puro estilo viral, hoy le entrare a una promoción en el blog de maca, como de todas maneras iba hacer mis predicciones Nostradamus, a las cuales casi siempre le he atinado espero y ahora haya premio, las bases son estas:
1.- Publicar un post en tu blog donde hagas referencia a este blog y al concurso en el que estás participando. Click to continue reading...

Al puro estilo viral, hoy le entrare a una promoción en el blog de maca, como de todas maneras iba hacer mis predicciones Nostradamus, a las cuales casi siempre le he atinado espero y ahora haya premio, las bases son estas:
1.- Publicar un post en tu blog donde hagas referencia a este blog y al concurso en el que estás participando. Click to continue reading...

After brushing aside previously fancied Fiorentina, Inter are on course to bag a hat-trick of back-to-back Scudettos. Signor Bandini reports.
Can anyone stop irresistible Inter? Click to continue reading...

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Clarke Carlisle, now at Burnley; and Andrew Davies (onloan from Middlesbrough) are in this week's League "Team of the Week'! League Team of the Week. (But No Lee Camp) Click to continue reading...

Fratelli una domanda: Ma Empoli - Juventus di Coppa Italia non si potr� vedere da nessuna parte? Nessuna TV la mander� in onda?

Pubblicato da Danny67 | Commenti
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Germany are worried what Luka Modric may do to them at Euro 2008, given how well diminutive, foreign geniuses are faring in the Bundesliga. Herr Honigstein reports.
Franck, Diego and Rafael make Germans wary of Luka Click to continue reading...

Man Utd 2 Fulham 0: Ronaldo missed out on being European Footballer of the Year but he was crowned King of Old Trafford.
No marks for Rob Styles as two-goal Cristiano Ronaldo suffers for reputation Click to continue reading...

Nice snazzy new design for WNYMedia.net eh? I love it, and even better now that I'm listed on the Sports part of the website!!! A simple programming note for everyone. As the current scoreboard dictates, School holds a slight 1-0 advantage going into the week and looks to widen it's lead. [...] Click to continue reading...

Now back in my Ph.d program, I realized that nothing is more fun for me and my friends than to sit around and watch some sort of sporting event and indeed invent a drinking game that goes along with it. After a long week of 'doing' homework, it's a good way to start [...] Click to continue reading...

They are the dark men-in-black and they are always at the centre of attention. For every goal conceded and for every goal scored, there is potentially always a referee to blame. The man with the whistle and his fellow scurrying tosspots are always picked on when anything, absolutely anything, goes wrong in a game of [. Click to continue reading...

Lionel Andrès Messi

Quando occorre scegliere tra giocatori di elevato spessore tecnico è sempre difficile indicarne uno. Ma è anche vero che è difficile sbagliare, perchè in tutti i modi si cade bene.

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Frank Sibley Turns Sixty: Born December 4, 1947
QPR's Youngest Ever first Team Player, making his debut at 15 in the 1963/64 season, in September 1963, against Aldershot in the League Cup. QPR lost 3-1. The QPR team that day - names from a very different era - P Springett, Brady, Whittaker, P. Click to continue reading...

Independiente and Velez drew last Sunday at El Cilindro de Avellaneda.

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Una pulce diventata stella

Lionel Andrès Messi ha una storia calcistica tutta particolare e dall'epilogo ancora in lunga costruzione.

Lo scorso 24 giugno ha compiuto 20 anni e numerosi grandi club desidererebbero averlo nella propria rosa.

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A few months back, we went to a new uniform design that we had hoped would streamline delivery of our content and provide for a better overall user experience. Well, that didn't work out so well. The uniform repudiation of the new design was heard loud and clear and we have been [...] Click to continue reading...

Continuing my weekly article inspired by Gazzetta dello Sport, here are the performances of all Italian soccer players operating in foreign European leagues. Based on Gazzetta's info, there are currently 26 Italians playing in first divisions abroad, and 18 of them stepped on the field this week-end. Click to continue reading...

So, it's a blustery Monday morning here in Buffalo. I'm well-caffeinated and ready for my day. I open up my email and my inbox is inundated by a Buffalo Issue Alerts thread entitled "Comment tampering at BRO City Channel". Cynthia Van Ness was alerted to the comments left at BRO by one "Frankster", who suspected [. Click to continue reading...

Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano's old club drew with Gremio and was relegated this Sunday. Back in 2004, Tevez was hailed as the first in a long line of Galacticos style of player when he was brought from Boca Juniors by Kia Joorabchian, the club's new owner and a MSI partner. He was joined by Javier Mascherano from River Plate.

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Lanus earned their first title in Primera A, drawing Boca at La Bombonera last Sunday.

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You see those glistening mounds of slow roasted deliciousness? That is what I like to call 'perfect'. It's actual nom de meat is prime rib and it comes straight off the roasting spit and on to your plate at any Portuguese or Brazilian bbq joint worth it's salt. I defy you see that photo, read that description and still not believe in God. Click to continue reading...

The curtain has officially come down on a stellar 15-year career for Shaka Hislop. A star of the surprising Trinidad & Tobago '06 World Cup run, the 38-year-old goalkeeper is calling it quits, taking off the gloves for good at the conclusion of the Shaka Hislop Tribute Cup, a four-team mini-tournament played in his honor on the islands. Click to continue reading...

Ferguson... confirmed both Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand had been forced off after a stomach virus hit the United camp this week.

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A single point from today's group stage finale at AC Milan will be enough for Celtic Glasgow to advance to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. The trip to San Siro comes at an opportune time for Gordon Strachan's men; The Rossoneri are an even .500 (7-7-4) in Serie A and Champions League competition this season and have not won at home since Oct. Click to continue reading...

Jorvan Vieira who was last seen leading the Iraq national team to its fairy tale win in the Asian Cup has thrown in his bid to be the next Socceroos coach. Vieira sees a similar situation in the Socceroos as he did with the Iraqi squad. No not in the sectarian warfare between the Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United.

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Meet Sandra. She lives in NYC, born in Mechanicville, and just broke up with her boyfriend,Will. She decided to tell Will via facebook. This serves a two-fold purpose: No need to actually tell Will, he uses facebook too. Sandra's status gets instantly displayed on the mini-feed of Will's page and all of Sandra's contacts all [. Click to continue reading...