One quarter of Europe's football faithful (41 million) are classed as Fans Without Borders, with FC Barcelona the most popular foreign team (29%), followed by Real Madrid CF (10%) and Manchester United FC (8%).

Fans Without Borders have been categorised into three groups:
1. Highlight Fans, representing 60% of all Fans Without Borders, are attracted to a club's playing philosophy (85%) and success (79%).

Let's jump right into it. I'm a longtime soccer fan without an MLS team, who happens to be relocating to within reasonable driving distance of Chicago, and unreasonable driving distance of every other MLS city save for Columbus. Additionally, I have family in Chicago who I plan to visit regularly.

For the second time in four years, Liverpool and Everton had both made it to the FA Cup final, but with tragedy at Hillsborough just five weeks in the past there were serious doubts as to whether the game should go ahead. The fans, though, made it clear to the club they wanted to go. And so Liverpool went, combining with their local rivals to put on one of the most dramatic FA Cup finals in history.

By Alan Duffy

"What's the stopping distance at 60mph in the rain again?"

Yeah sure, there's a lot more sordid news concerning footballers doing the rounds today, but in an antidote to all the sleaze and criminality, we bring you an inspirational tale of dedication and mental strength.

Apart from supporters of the doomed bottom 3 is there a football fan who doesn't want Wigan to escape relegation? Their PL survival is a mystery given the small ground, low attendances and limited finances - they are the (Leyton) Orient of Manchester. And yet they survive without resorting to hoof ball and dull physical football, maintaining an admirable allegiance to playing attractive football.

Apart from supporters of the doomed bottom 3 is there a football fan who doesn't want Wigan to escape relegation? Their PL survival is a mystery given the small ground, low attendances and limited finances - they are the (Leyton) Orient of Manchester. And yet they survive without resorting to hoof ball and dull physical football, maintaining an admirable allegiance to playing attractive football.

By Chris Wright

"You CANNOT be Syria...s"

It may come as quite a shock for you to learn that I am not, nor have I ever been, a pre-eminent commentator on the disputes and conflicts that have engulfed the Middle East over the years and, with that revelation in mind, I'm going to steer clear of the politics involved here and instead focus on the utter, undiluted lunacy.

Time to lift the troops Arsene

North London Derby today. After the purple patch of period we had over them, we have not beaten them in the last 3 games. After such a sustained period of supremacy over them, this season has been particularly difficult. Tottenham has already beaten us once this season and without the possibility of us meeting them in any cup match, they stand to do the double over us.

You watch hours of top quality Premier League soccer each week on television, the Internet and sometimes mobile devices, but do you have an allegiance to any or all of the TV networks that provide the coverage to you? If ...
This is a content summary. Visit http://www.epltalk.com to read the entire article

When you break it down, what we love about sports are the memories they create.

You build stockpiles of those treasured days and nights. We all have our "Miracle On Ice" moments, even if all can't rise to that level of cherish and intensity.

We fondly remember that special game at your high school.

- Maxi Rodriguez

On the eve of one of the most universally celebrated days of the year, the English Football Association released a stunning 115-page document explaining their decision on the Suarez case. Within minutes, a legion of the brightest legal minds across the world yet to pursue law as a profession, took to the internet in a massive orgy of self-righteousness and ignorance, cascading their uninformed opinions over a technology originally meant for collaboration and academic study.

photo courtesy of Jarred Donalson
Some national team news has come out today regarding two Sporting KC players. First, Teal Bunbury has been called up by Caleb Porter to the upcoming U-23 Olympic camp in Florida. The camp will take place December 15th through the 23rd. The camp is in preparation for the upcoming Olympic qualifying.

Spanish fullback Jose Enrique has revealed his Liverpool team-mates are trying to persuade him to switch allegiance and play for England.
Enrique, 25, has impressed at Anfield following his summer transfer from Newcastle United but has yet to win a cap for Spain, the current European and world champions.

We stuttered early on in the season but since then we have had some decent results. This is not altogether too far off from the Arsenal's season. I am talking, crucially, about me and the lads trying to find a decent boozer to call home for games at the Ems after we got a free transfer from our previous drinking establishment.

Reports in the English media have consistently linked unsettled Juventus forward Amauri with a move to the Barclays Premier League in January.

The player's agent has added fuel to the fire by saying that there is a '70 percent' chance of him moving to England in January, compared to much lower odds of considering further stay in the Serie A.

The blogathon continues. Alzheimer Scotland and the Homeless World Cup still need your help. So if you've enjoyed any of this please give anything you can.
It's a pleasure to say a massive hello to Jay Mansfield, also know as @leftmidfielder, for this hour of polite argument. Jay blogs here
Here's Jay on why Scottish football won't change:
Browsing Alzheimer Scotland's Football Memories site, I began to reminisce about the times I would discuss the latest calamity to befall Scottish football (among other things) with my much-missed grandfather.

Welcoming Laurie Dunsire this hour. A Hearts fan. This blogathon is inclusive to its bones.
Laurie writes for the excellent Scottish Football Forums
And follow him @lauriedunsire
I'll let Laurie explain what this hour has been about:
Aidan Smith, Hibs fan and sports journalist, carried out an unthinkable challenge when he became a Hearts fan for a whole season, something which he documented in his book, Heartfelt: Supping Bovril from the Devil's Cup.

Martin Kelly has all the attributes to play as a centre-back, says Liverpool coach Steve Clarke

The 48-year-old says the defender, who usually plays at right-back, can move across and perform in the centre, and hints that Jonjo Shelvey could switch allegiance to Scotland

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-11-16 10:06:00 from: Goal

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

Manager Craig Levein has revealed Scotland missed the opportunity to persuade Sebastian Coates to play for their national side – but are determined not to miss out on Liverpool FC player Jonjo Shelvey.
Levein says Scottish Football Association officials have already been in contact with Jonjo Shelvey about him changing football allegiance from England.

And I don't mean former Galaxy striker Edson Buddle, who now plays in Germany, and was called up into the U.S. squad today for its two upcoming friendlies in Europe.

Here's more from the Associated Press:

CHICAGO (AP) -- German-born defender Alfredo Morales and midfielder Fabian Johnson were among 22 players selected
Thursday for the U.

With the Philadelphia Union set to host their inaugural playoff match this Sunday, much of Philadelphia is gripped with Doop fever. Another symbol of the team's success at reaching hearts and minds came last week, when the Union announced a deal with sports radio station WIP to broadcast 17 matches, beginning in 2012.

THFC1882′s Stuart Watts presents the return of guest writer Gareth Johnson for his very personal preview of Spurs visit to Newcastle:

Sunday 16th October 2011. St James' Park. Kick off 4pm. Sky Sports 1/HD1 and 3D

It's the big one. No, it really is.

Remember when you read that Joe Corona was all set to play for Mexico and pass on the chance to play for his actual country of birth, the United States?

Well, scratch that one. It seems the LA-born Corona is ready to follow in the footsteps of Jose Torres and Edgar Castillo and bypass Mexico to play for the United States.

Their Words I have been involved in a few reserve games and they have been good for fitness and for getting back into the swing of things but there's nothing like putting on the shirt and playing in a competitive match. Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden. Other Sources Timothy Chandler pledges his allegiance - from ESPN.

Forget Arteta, Crouch, Barton or Bellamy. Surely the transfer of all transfers this summer was Brighton's signing of Valencia legend Vicente Rodriguez on a free transfer last week!

Gus Poyet is exactly right to call this signing a "major coup" for the club which already sit top, and needless to say undefeated, after six games in their first season in the Championship since 2006.

By Chris Wright

The Met have confirmed that six men are being held in police custody today after a 44-year old Wales fan died in hospital after being attacked outside Wembley following England's 1-0 win last night.

The Police have also identified that the six men being held are all Wales supporters and that the victim, a Cardiff fan domestically, was assaulted due to his club loyalties while, presumably, all seven men were sporting the red of the land of their fathers.

Is it possible there wouldn't be an MLS if the Seattle Sounders hadn't joined? Prior to Seattle's first season in 2009, the league was still struggling and there were some doubts as to whether it would survive.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

With the recent news that Keon Daniel has been called up for Trinidad and Tobago, who on the Philadelphia Union might be worthy of being called up for the United States?

Since 2007, Daniel has an impressive 46 appearances and eight goals for his country.

On On April 15 1989 24,000 Liverpool fans travelled to watch an FA Cup Semi Final against Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday, 766 were injured on the day and 96 of them were never to return.

Over 22 years on, the search for the same thing remains unwaveringly since the day the tragedy happened.

Photo by John Dorton/ISIphotos.com

When Timmy Chandler was replaced on the U.S. Soccer roster ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Mexico because of fitness issues, it disappointed plenty who wanted to see Chandler have the chance to go up against El Tri's speedy wingers, an asset that the United States did not have during this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup final.

Top 10 LFC tattoos

Some Kopites will go to incredible lengths to display their allegiance to Liverpool Football Club including decorating large parts of their body. We've picked out 10 of the most amazing LFC tattoo photos uploaded to The Kop.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-07-22 11:32:00 from: Liverpool FC

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

By Chris Wright

Bob Mancini has let slip that Manchester City have shaken hands with Corinthians over a fee for Carlos Tevez (reportedly £40 million plus £5 million in add-ons) with the homesick Argentinian now set to begin discussing personal terms with his former club.

There was plenty of speculation about whether Timmy Chandler's decision to skip the CONCACAF Gold Cup was evidence of the German-born player's potential desire to play for Germany and give up his recent allegiance to the United States.

Chandler shot that down in a recent interview, telling Yanks Abroad he has every intention of playing for the United States, and no desire to represent Germany, where he was born.

This piece below written by US National, World Cup veteran and current Estudiantes Tecos player Herculez Gomez.

The fire to play. More important than the building view...

Editor's Note: An appropriate segue out of the July 4th weekend, Herculez Gomez tries his hand at his first written piece.

Due to a brief summer break, this week's quick round-up football charities is a little later than usual, but this evening we have another couple of causes related to the game which prove that, for all of the bad news that seems to be out there and it can seem, from time to time, to be perpetual there is still some good that can come from the heart of the game.

Will Gary Johnson's Northampton Town be swelled by an influx of new fans come next season?

How willing would you be to switch your allegiance to another team – one based 15 miles away?

Most fans would be recoiling in horror at this prospect, but for one team's supporters, it could be the future.

The next 'Chosen One', Javier Hernandez (Chicharito)It's a great feeling to be a Soccer fan. It gives the U.S. sports fan that many more options. I'm able to watch an intriguing, unpredictable NBA Finals and check in on Gold Cup matches during time-outs.
As a recent Soccer convert, I haven't been able to watch too many Gold Cups in my life, so there aren't many memories to build on.

Italian golfer Francesco Molinari will show his allegiance to Inter Milan at this week's BMW Italian Open by donning Nike golf apparel complete with the Nerazzurri's branding.

19 year-old Shane Ferguson doesn't like to talk about it, but its odds on he will soon be playing for Ireland. Shane Ferguson challenging Torres on Sunday Shane has one cap for Northern Ireland, and since that was only a friendly against Italy when he was just 17, the rules allow him to switch allegiance, [.

Keep the faith Gooners..

It's been a long time since I blogged. Lots of travel (both personal and work-related), plus a change in job (which included a hell lot of transition) and most of all, Arsenal's poor form, kept me away from 11G, something I feel very apologetic about. I sometimes doubted my allegiance towards the lads, as the trend suggested I kept away at a time the team wasn't doing well.