Image: ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/GettyImages. You think Sergio Ramos and Fernando Torres ever get tired of co-signing "SerNando" on fans' memorabilia? Since both of their siggys are required, how attached at the autograph are they? Is it always Sergio who starts things off with "Ser" or are there instances where Fernando scrawls his "Nando" suffix first?

Russia vs Uruguay 2012 Highlights 1-1 Kerzhakov Suarez Goal Video Friendly is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Russia vs Uruguay 2012 Highlights 1-1 Kerzhakov Suarez Goal Video Friendly is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Russia vs Uruguay 2012 ( Russia Uruguay VIDEO BELOW) Final score and result:- Russia vs Uruguay 1-1 ( Kerzhakov/ Suarez) Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow- 25 May, 2012- Friday- 17.

AC Milan have confirmed that Manchester City target Thiago Silva is poised to remain with the Serie A runners-up due to the player's own satisfaction at being with the Italian club.

City had hopes to bolster their defense with the addition of the acclaimed Brazilian defender but Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani made it clear yesterday that both the club and the player will do everything possible to honor the current contract.

Very few rules in title celebrations, but one of them is avoid slapping the medal presenters across the back of the head. Pretty self-explanatory. And definitely don't do it when that presenter is head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports. Because while sports are clearly involved (peripherally, one would guess, so is that important Defence bit, so very few have more pull to have you taken out than he or she.

We're sure that Bernadien Robben is sympathetic, but she's not going to be looking forward to the next couple of weeks. Image: REUTERS/Alexander Hassenstein.

Arjen Robben's missed the odd important penalty this season, but none was as crushing as the one he missed on Saturday. With the Champions League final poised at 1-1 in extra time, Didier Drogba's foul on Franck Ribery in the 95th minute handed Bayern Munich the opportunity to take the lead and.

The Timbers held a full practice today after yesterday's light regeneration session as they prepare to face the Chicago Fire on Sunday. Today's closed session at Jeld-Wen saw only one change in personnel from yesterday.

Troy Perkins returned to the pitch to practice with the rest of the team after doing his own work out yesterday.

You could watch the entire Star Wars trilogy (original, of course – no special editions) and still have time left over to get halfway through the Holiday Special...

Kevin Alexander at Slide Rule Pass puts the number of minutes since the last Timbers goal in nerdy perspective.

Ugh... Love the defense, hate the offense...

One of these days we'll be able to generate some offense through the middle, right? Anyone else see Alexander ready to sub in and hope it was going to be for Palmer?

And thank God for Perkins...

Okay, once again here's your chance to rate the Timbers performance.

Vitesse is on its way back to the Dutch (sub)top, under the management and guidance of John van den Brom. And 22 year old Alexander Buttner, a product of the Ajax youth development, is one of the key players in that new team. He had his wanderings in the team, [read more]

Servette beat Young Boys 2-1 in a Swiss Super League match last weekend that ended on unfriendly terms. After Servette scored a a go-ahead goal in the 90th minute, Young Boys were eager to try and equalize as they hope to retain their Europa League spot.

While chasing down a ball that had gone out near Servette's bench, Young Boys' Alexander Gonzalez gave Servette manager Joao Carlos Pereira a light shove as he tried to take the most direct route to the ball as possible.

Esta semana no se puede pasar sin ver esta jugada que debio terminar en gol,pero fue un fiasco total y entra en la categoria por ser la peor falla del año,porque de la semana ya lo es,

El futbolista del Haugesund Noruego Alexander Søderlund lo sabe y ha dicho lo siguiente:
"Esto me seguira por mucho tiempo, lo escuchares esto por años" declaro lo anterior por la terrible falla que tuvo.

Whenever the commentators immediately bring up the YouTube, something either very good or very bad just happened. For the unlucky gentleman Alexander Soderlund, tis very much indeed the latter.

There have been worse, more unbelievable and certainly more unforgivable, but perhaps none quite so nonchalant, almost as though that's what he meant to do.

Graham Alexander is a true legend. After moving from Burnley to nearby Preston, the 40-year-old Scotsman retired from professional football yesterday after 1023 matches, after Preston's last game of the season against Charlton Athletic at Deepdale. Thankfully, the game was memorable for the veteran. He was brought on by manager Graham Westley in the 83rd [.

Liverpool's form in the Premier League has been poor since the turn of the year but have excelled in the Cups, winning the Carling Cup and getting to the final of the FA Cup

The Reds are currently eighth in the Premier League, but the Spaniard believes the Cup success shows they are a better team than they were 12 months ago

There's no doubt we've improved from last season already," Reina told LFC Magazine.

By Chris Wright

In which AIK centre-half Alexander Milosevic takes aim from the edge of the semi-circle and crashes an absolute exocet into the top corner from 45 metres out...

Who shoots from there for Christ's sake?

And in a quirky little statistic that I like to throw out on twitter from time to time, Perlaza has now started in 12 of Timbers' 13 MLS wins – the most of any player on the roster, and has a win rate of 40%, compared to the Timbers own 31.7%. Funny, that.

Great piece again by Kevin Alexander at Slide Rule Pass about the SKC win.

Quick Recap:

The Portland Timbers started with a defensive minded line-up and it paid off with their first shut out of the year. Offensively Portland only managed 2 shots on goal and both of those were easily saved but SKC were gracious visitors and put one in for Portland. 1-0 win for Portland.

First Half:

John Spencer sent out a line-up with some interesting changes.

Kenny Dalglish is convinced Liverpool FC have the character to defy the formbook by beating Everton to reach a second domestic cup final this season.
Having already claimed the Carling Cup in February, Dalglish's side returns to Wembley this afternoon to take on the neighbours in their FA Cup semi-final.

Morning all. A few bits and pieces from yesterday's press conference and beyond to get us going.

We'll start with Arsene Wenger declaring football to be too conservative when it comes to introducing video technology. The manager reckons it's high time we sorted this out to provide an aid to referees who, due to the fact they're not robots, will make mistakes and miss things.

BY ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. --David Junior Lopes is fully aware of the opportunity that being a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy provides and the hulking Brazilian centerback believes that he can shine with his new club.

Lopes was acquired from Chivas USA on Tuesday in a deal that sent Paolo Cardozo to the Galaxy's cross-hall rivals.

Mid-April 2011 marked the Timbers' first in-season acquisition of the MLS era (DP Diego Chara, signed April 13), but the team still had two MLS trades ahead, acquiring instant starters LB Mike Chabala and RB Lovell Palmer in July, and midfielder Eric Alexander in August.

So while worries about the team's defensive performance have already expressed themselves in the form of two veteran international trialists, why wouldn't the front office be actively pursuing an MLS trade to upgrade the back line?

Brad Jones is still getting used to the fact that he has been thrust into the Liverpool spotlight, but claims he is ready for a day out at Wembley.
As third-choice goalkeeper at Anfield, the Australian shot-stopper was not expecting to see a lot of first-team action this season.
He has, however, seen Kenny Dalglish suffer something of a shot-stopping crisis, with Jose Reina and Alexander Doni forced to serve suspensions after picking up red cards.

Liverpool are to recall Peter Gulacsi from his loan at Hull City in order to solve their goalkeeping crisis.
Hull have announced the Hungarian will later on Wednesday return to his parent club to provide cover for the suspended Jose Reina and Alexander Doni.
Liverpool have been plunged into a shortage of goalkeepers for this weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Everton at Wembley.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish refused to discuss goalkeeper Alexander Doni's red card after his 10-man side edged out Blackburn on Tuesday night.
Reds shot-stopper Doni, in for the suspended Jose Reina, was dismissed for a foul on Junior Hoilett and was replaced by Brad Jones who saved Yakubu's penalty.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has hailed striker Andy Carroll for refusing to let his head drop during a testing season for both player and club.
Carroll put his hand up for a start in this weekend's FA Cup semi-final against Everton by heading in the goal that earned the Reds a 3-2 victory over Blackburn in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Meet Liverpool academy goalkeeper Jamie Stephens. The way things are going at the moment, he'll fancy his chances of getting a game in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton on Saturday. For it seems that Liverpool's senior goalkeepers have some sort of Wembley death-wish and are desperate to avoid the big clash with their neighbours.

I suppose I better eat my words, at least for this game where Liverpool's ten men beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2 thanks to an injury-time header from Andy Carroll.
Without further ado, Liverpool's second-string raced into a 2-0 lead after 15 mins thanks to two goals from prolific midfielder Maxi Rodrigues.

Ha, sorry about posting this early, the full version is below. Thanks!

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If you have five central midfielders, and zero wide midfielders, do you have a central midfield?

Effort
Think the biggest problem with the Timbers right now is effort? The Timbers postgame comments would appear to agree with you, as would former captain Ian Joy:
Playing for the Love of the Axe

Tactics
Slide Rule Pass is the go-to blog for post-match tactical breakdowns.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Mario Balotelli is once again in the headlines for the wrong reasons, and once again the question being asked is if he is worth all the trouble.

For Manchester City head coach Roberto Mancini, the answer appears to be "not anymore".

Jack Jewsbury is no more an attacking midfielder than I am the Dragon King of Bhutan.

Kevin Alexander in an excellent breakdown of the Timbers' collapse last night.

Quick Recap:

The Portland Timbers finally get the first goal and takes the lead into half-time. The second half was probably the worse half the Timbers have every played at home and they go down 2-1.

First Half:

Portland came out flying. Franck Songo'o was all over the place. He was playing both wings, the CM and hitting perfect free kicks and corners.

Game day! Also another chance for the Portland Timbers to redeem themselves after an early lull in the season. I know we had all hoped for a great, exciting start to the season, but, unfortunately, that just doesn't happen sometimes. The optimist inside me wants me to compare the current Timbers to last year's Seattle Sounders (I know, I know!

The Crewe Alexander midfielder Nick Powell has been playing for England at all levels from U16 to U18, and despite his tender years has already made over 50 appearances for the League Two club. The 6ft hitman can play up front as well as in midfield and has scored an impressive 12 goals in 37 [...]

Liverpool are in the midst of their worst run since the 1953-54 season, one that has Liverpool fans asking the unthinkable: 'Is Kenny Dalglish's job safe".

The answer to that question might be answered in the next couple of week, and Kenny Dalglish will be hoping that Alexander Doni, who has not even completed a full friendly for Liverpool, can help get Liverpool into the FA Cup final.

Alexander Doni admits he does not know if he will be at Liverpool next season as he prepares to fill in for Pepe Reina.
Reina is facing a three-game ban following his sending off against Newcastle for violent conduct for an apparent head-butt on James Perch.
Doni, who joined Liverpool from Roma last summer, is expected to start in goal against Aston Villa next weekend in the absence of Reina despite not playing a competitive game for the club as yet.

Sebastian Coates believes Alexander Doni will do his best to capitalize on Pepe Reina's three-game suspension.

Reina's red card at Newcastle United on Sunday means he could miss the Reds' Barclays Premier League clashes with Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers, as well as the FA Cup semi-final with Everton at Wembley.

Spartak Moscow goalkeeper Andrei Dykan suffered a concussion and fractures to his face and jaw during Saturday's match against Zenit St. Petersburg when Alexander Kerzhakov's knee caught him in the head. Dykan dove to save a shot from Kerzhakov, but the Zenit striker could stop before his knee connected with the keeper's face.

The PortlandTimbers looked good, very good, for much of their game against Real Salt Lake. The problem, of course, is that Real Salt Lake looked good when it counts. The Timbers' defense, although they held strong for much of the game, crumbled under the pressure of a continuous Salt Lake attack late in the game.

El Salvador Under-23 player Alexander Larin has been suspended for three games by FIFA after punching USA forward Terrence Boyd during the final group stage game of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying. The incident wasn't sanctioned by the match official. Larin will miss the rest of qualifying and the first game of the Olympics should El Salvador advance.