Liverpool are not expecting any fresh interest from Barcelona in Javier Mascherano in January.
Weekend reports suggested the midfielder's advisers had already negotiated personal terms with the Catalans in advance of a transfer fee being agreed with the Reds.
However, there has been no contact between the clubs since the summer when Barca were informed Mascherano was not for sale. Click to continue reading...

The U.S. Under-17 men's national team will look to extend its winning streak to three games today when it takes on Italy in the second round of the Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria (10pm, ESPN360.com).

The Americans defeated Malawi and United Arab Emirates to reach this stage, and now face a strong Italian team that rolled to the second round.

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TORONTO - Talented sweeper Rocco Picheca confirmed his return in 2010 as the sweeper of Pistolas FC.
Plagued by injury for most of the 2009, the team knows exactly what he can produce when he's healthy, and the lengthy off season should help.
More importantly, the additions of new players on defence not only adds depth to the team, but relieves the demands and strains felt by Rocco, Luch, and Matt Dookie. Click to continue reading...

Ryan Johnson was one of the few bright spots for San Jose in 2009. (Getty Images)

It's hard to decline as a club after being an expansion team in 2008 but the 2009 version of the San Jose Earthquakes did just that. They became the first team to lose more in their second season than in their expansion season.

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Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow has backed under-fire boss Rafael Benitez and insisted the Reds will not fire the Spaniard even if they fail to win the Premier League.
Benitez has come under pressure in recent weeks after the Merseysiders suffered four defeats in a row and face Manchester United at Anfield today in desperate need of a win to avoid slipping 10 points behind their bitter rivals. Click to continue reading...

Call we crazy, but I think this Barcelona team isn't that bad. I mean they did lose to a team earlier in the week that I had honestly never watched play a match in my entire life. But hey everyone has an off-week. Or in this case an off-weekday. Nobody wants to lose a Champions League game period.

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For most folks out there the Coach of the Year debate is a three person race. Depending on the how the final week goes we could include one or two others into the discussion.

Some coaches have lead their clubs from loads of draws early to the top of their conferences, one has lead an expansion club to the playoffs for the second time in league history, while others have just done what they always do.

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Today's post, which is for subscribers only, looks at why the Premier League only utilises 15 match referees, why the latest three additions to the roster are compromised, why there was a late change of referee at the Villa versus Chelsea match, why things will get worse from January, and why the whole league is dependent on the goodwill of the banks and the black market. Click to continue reading...

We here at Black Cloud Brigade headquarters feel it's important for potential recruits to understand exactly what it means to be a part of the BCB. So to help further educate our potential recruits, we offer this short mission statement to outline the goals and views of this elite group.
The BCB reserves the right edit this mission statement as it sees fit. Click to continue reading...

If you were Harry, what would you do?

Portsmouth Vs Tottenham Tickets Still Available!

As we come ever nearer to the January transfer window and Harry Redknapp is linked with a never ending list of potential signings, who would you ideally like to see Tottenham sign?

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Good times lay ahead, we know that anyway. But.... Good times could be 99% assured this season should we sign two players this January. I know it is a while off January at this time but I'm sure Wenger is already looking ahead so shy shouldn't we. I'm not gonna mention the papers because as soon as the window shuts they are looking for the next window moves, but anyway.

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Going into this season many football critics debated which league was the strongest in the world. Is it the Premier League or La Liga? The Premier League is usually considered the best by fans of the game regarding the even play of the entire league, but with the additions that Real Madrid and Barcelona have acquired over the last off-season it looks like La Liga could have the two best clubs in all of the world.

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Real Madrid's Kaka has been one of the most significant additions to the clubs lineup. His near $110 million newly inked contract proves that he is one of the top stars in the game. But we already knew that right.

Kaka - SEPTEMBER 20, 2009 - Football : Spanish 'Liga Espanola' match between Real Madrid 5-0 Xerez at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain.

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Mark Hughes heaped on the praise following last night's 2-1 victory over Fulham:

"It was a difficult night. Fulham scoring first was exactly what they wanted. They were very well organised, with plenty of players behind the ball and difficult to break down.

"We had to be patient, keep the ball moving and create things, because with Craig, Carlos and Shaun up front knocking high balls into their penalty box isn't an option.

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Alex Ferguson is known to rest his senior players to give the talented Manchester United youngsters a shot at first team football. At the Toon, with a decimated squad, we have no choice but to rest the senior players and give our youngsters a chance. They got that chance tonight in a game against Peterboro.

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Alex Ferguson is known to rest his senior players to give the talented Manchester United youngsters a shot at first team football. At the Toon, with a decimated squad, we have no choice but to rest the senior players and give our youngsters a chance. They got that chance tonight in a game against Peterboro.

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Photo by isiphotos.com

As the playoffs approach, late season additions can add that extra edge to equal playoff success. For the Chicago Fire, the return of Brian McBride from shoulder surgery, perhaps as soon as this weekend, could be just what the Fire need to push them over the top.

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Photo by isiphotos.com

As the playoffs approach, late season additions can add that extra edge to equal playoff success. For the Chicago Fire, the return of Brian McBride from shoulder surgery, perhaps as soon as this weekend, could be just what the Fire need to push them over the top.

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"It's not easy to say no to a club like Barcelona. They are European champions, they're in a lovely city and I like Spain a lot. I have always wanted to play at clubs like Barcelona. It's a great club, any player would be happy for them to show an interest. I'm happy that Barcelona have taken notice of me.

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#20: Gijon

Gijon needed to get much tougher on defense this off-season and to the club's credit they brought in some young transfers from strong organizations reserve benches. Alberto Botia and Joni Lopez join the squad. Botia was on transfer with Barca's reserve team and Lopez is on transfer from the same club.

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Sneijder was evidently in The Zone back in his Ajax days. By comparison, his best-of reel from Real Madrid are closer in and more on the cheeky side. Yet this is an index of the quality in store for Internazionale.

At Inter now, Mourinho was looking for a trequartista, but Sneijder brings also a discerning nose for goal.

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Wishful thinking!

Whilst most clubs are fawning over the internet in search of stories relating to brand spanking new signings us Liverpool fans will just have to make do with what we have, which is a very capable squad that is not nearly large or deep enough to withstand injury or loss of form from our big names.

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Soccerlens has brought you extensive transfer window coverage for several years now - and this year we're asking you to join us in compiling the most comprehensive transfer news database on the Internet.

Like before you'll have Eddie's excellent daily roundup of the latest transfer rumours and confirmed transfers plus regular updates to our transfer lists for 9 European leagues from Shahryar.

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As originally reported here (in The Offside's First official scoop), Bill Hamid, Annandale native and academy product, has signed with MLS and will be on DCU's roster as the third goalkeeper. As a result of this and other additions like Shipalane, Habarugira, and James, someone on the current roster will have to be cut.

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The run down to the closure of the transfer window has seen Boro heavily involved in transfer activity, sadly it is with news of imminent departures rather than squad additions.

Sky are reporting that Robert Huth and Tuncay Sanli are undergoing medicals ahead of a move to Stoke City for a reported joint fee of around £11M.

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The 2009-10 La Liga season is nearly upon us and we here at Mad About Fútbol will breakdown the chances and player movement of all 20 teams in Spain's 1st division for the 2009-10 season. This time we will breakdown Getafe Club de Fútbol, the Madrid side known as Azulones
LAST SEASON (2008-09):
Getafe barely stayed up in the 1st division last year. Click to continue reading...

With the attacking potency we have in our side this season (particularly with the summer additions), one of the threats we have is plenty of pace and the ability to attack quickly - something which should help improve upon our away form from 2008/09.
In addition to his defensive capabilities, the introduction of Kolo Toure into the side helps in this respect. Click to continue reading...

Chivas USA is working their roster right before the summer transfer window closes. They have announced the signing of defender Yamith Cuesta, a member of the Colombian under-20 national team, on loan from Colombian club Expreso Rojo.

Adding Cuesta meant placing Jim Curtain and Ante Razov on the disabled list.

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AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

FC Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain admitted that the team may be done making moves in the transfer market, even though manager Pep Guardiola feels the squad is "too small."

Begiristain addressed the media on the heels of wild speculation from every news outlet that the team was trying to sign Barcelona youth phenom and current Arsenal captain, Cesc Fabregas.

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The second gameweek in this season's English Premiership Fantasy Football comes in just few days after the first, so be sure you remember to check your team for transfers and a captain change if the need occurs.
As said earlier this gameweek is a little tricky because only 12 teams have fixtures this week of English Premier League.

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Last Season: 8th 5 Key Players: Defoe, Modric, Keane, Lennon, King Style of Play: Wide play, quickness, quick build-ups. Not the best defensively, mind you... Key Additions: Crouch (Portsmouth), Walker (Sheff. Utd), Naughton (Sheff. Utd.), Bassong (Newcastle) Key Losses: Zokora (Seville), Bent (Sunderland) When We Play Them: August (a), January (h) Rafa's Record: 5 wins, 1 loss, 4 draws In 3-5 [. Click to continue reading...

Landing a top defender aside (and it may well happen before the month is out), it has been a summer Mark Hughes would have wished for.
He now has a squad as strong as seen at the club, more importantly his squad, in his mould and with two quality players for every position providing options in terms of positions and formations. Click to continue reading...

Shaun Wright-Phillips may not think so, but there could well be some similarities between Chelsea and ourselves - from his own perspective at least.
Now, with the summer additions, Wright-Phillips could find himself on the outside looking in, much like his time at Chelsea.
Mark Hughes now realistically has two players in every position. Click to continue reading...

Adrian Mutu was fined $17.2 million euros today after a long dispute between him and his former club. It was supposed to be one of Cheslea's best additions to their team but things quickly went sour.

Adrian Mutu

Mutu used to play for Chelsea back in 2003 but was suspended after he tested positive for cocaine.

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A few more additions to the list over the past few days while I continue to work on the definitive Les Rosbifs directory. Most of the activity has centred around Scotland, with the big money being spent by Celtic on Daniel Fox. The left-back was purchased from Coventry City for a fee of around £1.5million [. Click to continue reading...