We all know that Argentina-Brasil is the biggest rivalry and the biggest game in world football.

Because of Argentina's place in the WC qualifying standings, today's game is of even more importance than usual. Today's game is for Argentina, as big of a must win as any game has ever been against Brasil.

There is alot of bravado spoken when the subject of my football team's home is mentioned. The title 'Theatre of Dreams' (dubbed by Bobby Charlton) was once embarrassingly mentioned by fans in the late 1980's. The two words 'theatre' and 'dreams' were a million miles away from hooligan England in those days, where the reality was [.

The Beauty: Coleen Rooney is a WAG, for sure, but she is the least "waggish" of all the English WAGs. What do I mean by that? Well, I mean she's never been a model. She's not an actress either. In fact, she has never appeared on a reality show (gasp).

Maradona arrived in Buenos Aires today from his vacation in Italy and had this to say to the media gathered at the national team training center:

"Here, I am the one who decides everything. The last thing that I would put up with from another person is for something to be imposed on me, I didn't accept it when I was 15 years old, even less now that I am 48.

Barca's result against Cheslea was none too satisfying, and on top if that, Rafael Marquez had to get injured. This is what, the fourth? fifth? injury he has this season? It's just too awful. He's too important a part of our squad, besides the fact that he's hella hot!
And it's not a matter of overburdened thighs and a week or two this time; Rafa has reportedly torn the internal and external menisci of his left knee, and will be off the pitch for eight to ten weeks.

Since my last blog entry I have become an uncle twice. My youngest brother Philip whose wedding I very nearly didn't go to became a father - a boy called Jack while my sister has just delivered a baby boy who will be called Jack.
My brother's wife had a relatively easy (if there is such a thing) birth but my sister had all sorts of complications with the cord being wrapped around James' head and they eventually had to cut the baby out.

MARKHAM - Pistolas FC held a press conference today to announce the newest additions to the team via the MSC Superdraft.
Stefan Milosevic and Conrad Chan join the rebuilding Pistolas FC team of 2009. At the age of only 20 years old, they bring a growing youth movement alongside 'The Ponytailed One" and Rob Pikula.

With the Champions League Final over, we now can look forward to the FA Cup Final this Saturday featuring Everton against Chelsea in what promises to be an entertaining match with two teams very hungry to win the trophy. There's alot of news and surprises in store in the build-up to the FA Cup Final.

I am sure alot of you like me, have woken up this morning and wondered "Why did Glen Johnson choose Liverpool over Chelsea?". Once we heard the news that Portsmouth had accepted a bid from Chelsea that matched the bid that Liverpool had made all of us probably thought that he would be coming back. Then the news broke last night that they had agreed a deal with Portsmouth and Johnson himself to

Well here they are. Valencia Cf's new owners.

The ampliacion de capital is now in full momentum and these are the partners who have formed the non profit group called The Valencia CF foundation. They have the backing of Mayor Rita Barbera's municipal government and alot of cash from local valencian businesses and groups.

Well, there has been quite a bit of discussion in the post AEKBaltimore put up. Since the match alot has happened, most regarding the horrendous officiating at the match. But first, a review.

For everyone who has been following AEK you know how incredibly unlucky we tend to be, especially when it matters most.

So, another derby lost. That makes it the first time we've lost two derbies in a row in about ten years. Not a good sign.

Not many positives to take from this game, both sides played some pretty poor football. I'm not going to bother writing much as there is little to say. Firstly, our forwards still can't score.

Valencia fans are nasty fans.

Thats the conclusion that has to be drawn if you read the the chatter this week.

Our Che have lost 1 game all season. 1 Match. We are in 4th and within grasp of the top.

And yet even after a hard win against Malaga the fans complain.

Here are the highlights in case you missed the match.

Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana...that's what we get for Group D. Some people think this group is obvious in its outcome...me, not so much.

When you look at it from a "country" perspective you can easily see how Australia takes an edge over Serbia and Ghana to leave the group intact with Germany.

Hi guys-

We have talked before. I am noticing a disturbing trend on the internets regarding our little soccer team. Yes I did say our cause you know what we are part of a whole. Obviously we wouldnt exist without you...but you guys wouldnt exist without us. There is very little that you or frankly anyone can do about the on field activities.

Cashley Cole's hatred for all things Arsenal can be seen in encounters. He gestures to fans and is aggressive in the tackle with our players. He thinks that he is god's gift to Chelsea. In fairness he does receive alot of vile and offensive abuse. The intimate use of mobile phones and associations with homosexuals being some of the false accusations levelled at the player.

So here we all are watching mediocre football and 58 subs per game. hmmmm Must be the preseason. While im sure we can all agree that preseason football is far from watching a solid league match i have to say that i am getting quite a kick out of these matches. Why? Well several reasons.

Now is a great opportunity to see some players play that you wont see play again, or will.

Rumours are rife this morning that Arsenal will use some of the money recouped from selling Adebayor and Toure to Man City to come in for Chelsea's Saloman Kalou. Apparently we have already rejected (so the papers say) a bid of £6m whereas Chelsea value him at £8m.Not sure about this one myself. I know there are alot of Chelsea fans who rate Kalou.

Just when I thought West Ham United maybe stabilizing, it comes out of the blue that James Collins is set to be sold to Stoke City for around five million pounds. It also appears that the selling of Collins brought about a hell of alot of...
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So, a two hour press conference was held by Thanopoulos today. Reporters said it was very sincere, "straight from the heart" kind of stuff. Clearly not saying what he is being told to say but rather what is true.

So, progress should be made soon with regards to Kozonis. A paper should be signed this weekend stating both sides are intending to go through with the deal (or something along those lines) and if all goes well (no arguments or hidden debts suddenly showing up) the transition will occur December 31st.

Bad day for England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland who all lost today.The Republic who lost 1-0 at home to France in their World Cup play-off 1st leg at Croke Park to leave them with an uphill task to qualify for South Africa next summer, away leg on Wednesday.England played the mighty Brazil without alot of injured players in Quatar and lost to a Nilmar goal on 47 mins.

What the hell is going on with our injuries at the moment. As reported on here before, Jose Bosingwa is out. Ashley Cole is out and we are yet to have confirmation when he will return. Frank Lampard is out for three weeks. Didier Drogba has now been confirmed as out for three weeks with a rib injury suffered when Jonny Evans peformed his Karate Kick on him and got away with it and John Terry had to pull out of the England v Brazil game with an ankle problem but he hopes to be fit to face Wolves next weekend.

Hi, Im 20 years old and about to start preseason for soccer in a couple weeks, i have been training for the last month in the gym doing weight training and i have been doing alot of running at the track. I have been doing mainly interval type running/sprints and 5km runs, i think im happy [...]

I am doing united soccer and want to become a better player but I don't have anyone to practice with alot of times. these drills are amazing for your foot skills: TRIANGLE PULL-BACKS: start with the ball directly in front of you. pull it back with your right foot, then pass it to your left foot using your [.

Well, thankfully, things have gone well with my pops, though he isn't out of the woods yet. Thank you everyone who has reached out with their thoughts and prayers throughout this ordeal.

I am at work, with alot to catch up on, so we will be talking some Red Bull action later this afternoon.

Villareal v Arsenal:

I'm happy with this draw. Apart from Porto, Villareal are probably the most beatable team out of the 8 quarter finalists. Arsenal have an advatnage with playing away first and now that alot of their key players are returning from injury, they should progress.

Albirex Niigata V. Nagoya Grampus
Background: This is a really important fixture in terms of the future of these teams. Niigata are flying high and currently occupy second place while Grampus and performing below expectations at 9th. If Niigata win then they will look comfortable to stay where they are, but if Nagoya win then they will probably use this as a boost to push up the table.

So Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea story begins with alot of enthusiasim and optimism, Ancelotti first press conference was in English and started with soft charming joke about Terry captiancy which broke the ice with the English press. As we know this is Ancelotti first job outside Italy and tell now he is doing good job.

High School Division 4 Championships took place yesterday. Despite the 5-0 rout by Woonsocket, fans received an extra bonus (2 fights and longer newscoverage). There's alot of anger on the field as of late...Is it really that serious?

So, today I get up and see that Real Madrid won their match yesterday (without Ronaldo) and I see that Barca allowed Bilbao to draw them. With Barcelona giving up the two points that gave Real Madrid the seat atop the Spanish Premier Division Table. With Real Madrid holding fast without their biggest star I am NOT prepared to take back what I said about them, but I do have to give them credit where credit is due.

Last night's result is frustrating for alot of reasons. For one thing, it's pushed us back to second place behind Real Madrid. If that in itself isn't bad enough, what it means certainly is: that the team have no breathing space from now on. Next Liga match is the Classico and we can afford nothing less than a win.

It has been a long, rough year, but one thing I can always be thankful for is my little niche in the blogosphere, right here on TheOffside. Thank you to everyone who takes time from their day to visit here, sharing your opinions and insights. You make this alot of fun, and I appreciate the support everyday.

While we wait for Thursday (and part 4 of the midfield exploration coming soon!) it's time to have a think about another angle here.

Do you know someone who needs hours alone every day? Who loves quiet conversations about feelings or ideas, and can give a dynamite presentation to a big audience, but seems awkward in groups and maladroit at small talk?

If you're from the South like I am a "switch" is something you get beat with because you acted like a crazy fool (Lyon might need one of those too) but I really mean something more like a light switch.

Well, Lyon isn't having the "best season ever" and that season cotinued with a tough draw to Monaco (a team that's 14 points out of 1st.

The official opening of the new Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban has been set for 28 November 2009. In the months following the opening there will be numerous PSL matches, concerts (including the ex-Watford Chairman, Reg Dwight or Elton John as he likes to be called) and other events held at the stadium, so the facilities should be well broken-in by the time the big event comes around.