Three points behind co-group leaders Morelia and Alajuelense in CONCACAF Champions League play, the Galaxy face a must-win game at 7 o'clock tonight at Home Depot Center against the Mexicans (live on Fox Soccer and Telefutura).

Realistically, if the Galaxy don't win - a tie wouldn't help them much - their international campaign is all but over, but they may have to play Morelia without three of their key players.

Big responsibility on his shoulders

Time to wipe the slate clean. Not something which can be easily said, especially when the season has already been under way for a couple of weeks. However, that is also precisely the reason why we could regard this upcoming weekend's match as the start "of the star" of the season for Arsenal Football Club.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. -- Landon Donovan will only be playing in the first of the U.S. national team's two upcoming friendlies.

According to an official with U.S. Soccer, Donovan will not be traveling with the rest of the national team for its match against Belgium in Brussels on Sept.

Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam has pulled out of Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania due to a hip injury, the Scottish Football Association has announced.
Adam picked up the knock during Saturday's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic at Hampden Park and was forced off the pitch in the 79th minute.

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon has been one of the keys to the second-year club's considerable improvement in 2011, but he won't be in the nets as the Union begin a crucial stretch

Mondragon will be sidelined for between two to four weeks with a fractured finger suffered during the Union's 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

Good morning from a wild and windy Dublin. I think summer, such as it was, is now well and truly gone.

There's gloomy news to start with this morning involving Thomas Vermaelen. The Belgian is set to miss two months having undergone ankle surgery in Stockholm early this week. He picked up a knock away to Udinese and although Arsene Wenger was hopeful he might play against United at Old Trafford things have taken a very obvious turn for the worse.

(An early preview, as I'm off on a fresh gallivant this weekend). An air of equanimity has pervaded AANP Towers these last few weeks, even as Wellbeck, Dzeko et al were rippling our net from all angles, for those openers were two games from which few if any points could be expected.

Big responsibility on his shoulders

Time to wipe the slate clean. Not something which can be easily said, especially when the season has already been under way for a couple of weeks. However, that is also precisely the reason why we could regard this upcoming weekend's match as the start "of the star" of the season for Arsenal Football Club.

There have been several changes of personnel at Spurs since our last Premiership game and the club website has confirmed that Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker will both make their debuts against Wolves tomorrow.

"Scott is ready to play and Emmanuel is short of games, but he's a naturally fit guy and again, ready to play," said manager Harry Redknapp.

Amidst all the fun of making up our fantasy teams for the new look Arsenal, one name has been conspicuous by its absence: Abou Diaby.

It's understandable in a way: we have lots of shiny new names to play with in our hypothetical formations.

Do Artex and Benny Yoon displace Li'l Jack and Aaron when all are fit?

Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz doctors have given former Philadelphia Union striker Carlos Ruiz good news about his cracked ankle, informing the Guatemalan that he does not need surgery.

Reports out of Mexico originally stated that the 31-year-old would most likely be looking at surgery and a time table that involved a four week return to soccer at the earliest.

Kenny Dalglish insists that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can still be a force in the Premier League.
The club skipper has been sidelined since March, but is getting ever closer to full fitness and could make his return from injury as soon as this weekend against Tottenham.
With Dalglish refusing to rush his star man back from a long stretch out of the game, Gerrard has had to wait a long time to come back into the frame at Liverpool and with such an absence from football, some have suggested the club's skipper may have lost his touch.

Kenny Dalglish insists that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can still be a force in the Premier League.
The club skipper has been sidelined since March, but is getting ever closer to full fitness and could make his return from injury as soon as this weekend against Tottenham.
With Dalglish refusing to rush his star man back from a long stretch out of the game, Gerrard has had to wait a long time to come back into the frame at Liverpool and with such an absence from football, some have suggested the club's skipper may have lost his touch.

Lost. Found! Lost Again. Found Again...ho hum. Italian press reports this week indicated that Ugandan-born attacker Savio Nsereko, once of West Ham, was missing from his current team Juve Stabia. The player had not attended training nor had supplied a satisfactory explanation for his absence. He had made just one appearance for the Serie B [.

Charlie Adam has welcomed the return to fitness of Steven Gerrard despite the fact that his place in midfield could be under threat.
The Scotland ace admits the skipper's comeback has given everybody in the squad a boost and put all the midfielders on their toes with increased competition for places.

Charlie Adam has welcomed the return to fitness of Steven Gerrard despite the fact that his place in midfield could be under threat.
The Scotland ace admits the skipper's comeback has given everybody in the squad a boost and put all the midfielders on their toes with increased competition for places.

Manchester United coaching staffs and fans can pretty much breathe a sigh of relief regarding the condition of their Mexican striker, Javier "Chicarito" Hernandez, who picked up an injury against Chelsea on the weekend after the latest reports suggested that the striker isn't suffering from a fracture.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is facing what could be his biggest selection dilemma of the season so far with the return to fitness of William Gallas.

With Ledley King's return, Tottenham have kept two clean sheets at the back as our club captain forged a partnership with Younes Kaboul and some fans are already saying that the absence of Michael Dawson has led to what they believe to be our first choice pairing at the back.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has urged Fabio Capello to show restraint when it comes to deciding whether or not to select Steven Gerrard for England's Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro on October 7.
England need a point from the fixture in order to guarantee their place at the tournament and, for that reason, Capello will be eager to get his strongest XI out on the field.

The reaction of Nottingham Forest fans to last weekend's frankly apocalyptic defeat at the hands of Derby County has for the most part been extraordinarily fair minded. The game possessed controversy of course - but the absence of those twin firebrands Savage and Davies calmed the mood and the City Ground faithful have turned inward in an attempt to explain the defeat.

TEAM NEWS: Steven Gerrard starts on the bench as Liverpool host Wolves

Reds' talismanic midfielder could make his Premier League return after a long injury absence, whilst Kenny Dalglish once again opts for under fire Andy Carroll up front

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-24 13:30:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

TEAM NEWS: Steven Gerrard starts on the bench for Liverpool's Premier League clash against Wolves

Reds' talismanic midfielder could make his Premier League return after a long injury absence, whilst Kenny Dalglish once again opts for under fire Andy Carroll up front

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-24 14:30:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Dirk Kuyt frustrated after losing Liverpool starting place

• Holland international disappointed at being dropped • Kuyt believes Liverpool squad is strongest since 2006 Dirk Kuyt has spoken of his disappointment at losing a regular starting place at Liverpool but accepts the club had to improve competition for places to challenge for honours once more.

Hello there. I celebrated my birthday in fine style last night by spilling a whole pint right over the Mugsmasher's pants. I think I might make that some kind of tradition. Thank you to everyone for their kind wishes via Twitter etc, much appreciated.

We'll start this morning with the news that Jack Wilshere did indeed have his surgery yesterday.

Looking for alternatives

Injuries once again hog the headlines with regards to Arsenal Football Club. I know it happens to every single club and not only to ours. The feeling for us though is the only one I care about. Every single season since the last major trophy that we won, our squad has been besieged with injuries, not just those minor ones but also long term ones.

Dirk Kuyt has spoken of his disappointment at losing a regular starting place at Liverpool but accepts the club had to improve competition for places to challenge for honours once more.
The Holland international has started only half of Liverpool's six Premier League games this season as the manager, Kenny Dalglish, seeks to integrate the £20m summer signing Jordan Henderson into the team and utilizes his options up front.

By Phil Gregory First of all, a quick apology. I am a terrible human being, and was actually supposed to blog in the aftermath of the Bolton game, having been up in the Clock End for it. In my absence, Walter put together a great post about the match, so I won't rehash over old [...]

Yesterday we asked what the future held for Tom Huddlestone and while opinion is divided on his long term role at the club, news has come through today that answers that question in the short term at least.

Tom hasn't appeared for Spurs since the defeat by Manchester City and has struggled with injury since the start of the season.

Steven Gerrard to be on the Liverpool bench again for Everton derby report

The Reds' talismanic captain has made two substitute appearances in recent weeks after a six-month injury absence, and is apparently not yet ready to step up to start

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-29 08:57:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.