DC United academy product Andy Najar, age 17, battles against Landon Donovan
Photo courtesy of Nick Eckert, more of his work available here.
In the last week or so, we've been lucky enough to read two great pieces on the changes in American youth development by Bill Archer and Tom Dunmore.

Old Trafford boss hopes to sign up Bernabeu bench warmer.

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Manchester United are lining up a £20million swoop for Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart.

Sources in Spain claim United have identified the Dutch international playmaker as the natural successor to Paul Scholes.

Our Harry is praising Arsene Wenger in his column in The Sun, for having completed a good bit of business with his re-signing of Sol Campbell.

Obviously Redknapp is a big admirer of Campbell, having worked with him at Portsmouth. He even admitted that he would have signed him in the summer, had he been working at any other club than Tottenham.

Last Saturday, Barcelona's Xavi netted a sensational spot kick and put on a show to all watching their victory over Villarreal despite playing with a muscle injury in his left leg.

If Xavi is to further aggravate his nagging muscle injury, it could sideline him for this summer's trek to South Africa with Spain for World Cup 2010.

Ryan Giggs has spoken of what he hopes to do once he's finished playing football.

"My aim would be to manage either Manchester United or Wales," said Giggs. "I don't think I'll know whether I'll cope with the aggravation until I've finished playing and say, 'what do I do now?' Football is such a massive part of my life and to just stop in your late thirties and do nothing is tough.

So Robbie Savage finally got his way. After years of petty character assassination, some of it deserved, but most of it simply out of the frustration we all feel, John Toshack has finally decided to jack it in. Now the big man can go back to his hacienda in Spain, put those giant feet up, watch Sexy Beast and periodically appear on the telly as an expert on La Liga when Sid Lowe is busy.

By Chris Wright

Andy Carroll will be greatly mist by Newcastle

Newcastle United have written to the FA to 'express their concern' over Andy Carroll's impending inclusion in the England starting XI against France this evening, despite the striker being known to be struggling with a groin injury sustained at the weekend.