By FRANCO PANIZO

Herculez Gomez and Jose Torres achieved their dreams of playing in a World Cup earlier this year, and now they'll get a chance to play in a different one.

Gomez, Torres and fellow American Marco Vidal all aim to get playing time on Friday as Pachuca begins its quest for the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Inclement weather may have postponed a chunk of this weekend's matches in Europe, but that doesn't mean there were no Americans Abroad with noteworthy performances.

Ricardo Clark received his first start of the Bundesliga campaign, going the distance in Eintracht Frankfurt's 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

I just dropped in because I had to share this.- Greg Seltzer

Lichaj...doing some serious clubbing too....

The Big Nasty, Eric Lichaj, acquitted himself well in a 2-1 Aston Villa loss to Tottenham Hotspur going up against one of the best wingers in the Prem on Sunday, Gareth Bale.

You can ballpoint it that Lichaj is at least second on the rightback depth chart for 2014 at this point and likely 2011 as well (despite some folks at ESPN suggesting Jonathan Spector already has the starting 2014 spot locked-up.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Playing time has been hard to come by this season for Jonathan Spector, but after his Carling Cup heroics, he might just see the field for West Ham for a second straight game.

Spector made a strong case for more minutes with his brace in the 4-0 win over Manchester United in the quarterfinals of the Carling Cup on Wednesday, and that performance could bear fruit when the Hammers visit Sunderland.

Jay Bell dreams up a scenario where Landon and Stuie go clubbing together.

The MLS season is over and once again we keep hearing multiple rumors about loan options for the Los Angeles Galaxy's two superstars.

Can celebrations occur elsewhere?

David Moyes has never once said that he would not like to have Landon Donovan back on his team.

After only minor action in stage one of the fandangled MLS Re-Entry Draft, all hell broke loose in da next episode.The best bits: the L.A. Galaxy grab Juan Pablo Angel (just as Edson Buddle starts a Birmingham City trial, no less), Jeff Cunningham goes back to the Crew, Josh Wolff heads to D.C. United and four name veteran defenders get new homes.

Charlie Davies will be in uniform for French club Sochaux for the first time since being badly injured in a deadly car accident 14 months ago when Sochaux takes on Bordeaux on Sunday.

The club announced the news on Saturday, and Fox Soccer Channel will air the match on Sunday (11am). FSC was originally airing Chelsea vs.

Robbie Findley played out his MLS contract in search of a European contract and appears to have secured one.

The U.S. national team striker and former Real Salt Lake forward has signed with English League Championship side Nottingham Forest, the club announced on Thursday.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa may have lost their match against Tottenham on Sunday, but the American put forth one of the most solid performances of his young career.

Starting at right back in the 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Boxing Day, Lichaj helped contain the dangerous Gareth Bale before Bale eventually moved over to the opposite flank.

By AVI CREDITOR

Villarreal striker Nilmar is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after returning to Brazil to have surgery to fix a cartilage problem in his right knee.

It is unclear exactly how much time Nilmar, who has led all Villarreal scorers in La Liga play with 10 goals, will have to miss.

[Photo: Tom Tomsk]With my transfer window chase now firmly on, it's been hectic around here lately. Let's get you caught up with my latest, just in case you missed something.- Today's MLSS Postcard From Europe: Eugene Starikov- A bit of winter break Benny buzz, with a Mexican league player- My MLS Expansion Draft Week Winners & Losers- Oguchi Onyewu could change his mind about a loan spell-

Jonathan Spector must have dreamed of scoring for Manchester United, so yesterday was probably the next best thing.Spec has had a frustrating 2010, failing to find playing time at the World Cup while being stuck with superglue to the West Ham bench as the Thames Irons languish at the foot of the table.

Why not have a longer look back at Jonathan Spector's big night. We have extended highlights, which you can follow with the match star's post-game interview and a few remarks about his old boy from Sir Alex.West Ham United v Manchester UnitedGeüpload door paScali300. - Ontdek de laatste en beste sport fragmenten.

Let's get going:

Eight left for THE prize...

• It's Not Beer Pong:

We're down to the final eight for the College Cup and this is where if you haven't been paying attention it's time to start...because honestly, the zeal and passion combined with the talent left the rest of the way, makes this a very fun tournament to watch.

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

Jose Francisco Torres has seen his playing time at Pachuca diminish and it appears the U.S. national team midfielder ready to look at new opportunities, including a potential move to Major League Soccer.

Torres told MLSSoccer.com that Pachuca has given him permission to find a move, and MLS is a definite possibility.

By FRANCO PANIZO

U.S. national team fans know all about Carlos Bocanegra's heading ability, and now St. Etienne fans do too.

Bocanegra scored his first goal for St. Etienne in the club's 2-2 draw with Bordeaux by losing his mark and heading home a free kick from close range.

Numerous sources are reporting that Liverpool are considering a £10m bid for Clint Dempsey during the January transfer window.

Don't toy with my emotions, blogosphere....

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This is a guest post by Ryan Rosenblatt.

Every soccer fan loves a great match filled with great goals, incisive passes, fantastic tackles, jaw dropping save and of course, a pulsating crowd well aware that there is a ton on the line. It is the matches that make The Beautiful Game what it is, but even so, few can pretend that the what ifs and possibilities that make up the transfer market aren't enthralling.

The silly season is whipping up, so I'm already busy on the hunt. You can find this year's monster Top 5 Potential Summer Euro-Freebies over at S365, and I'll drop the MLS version here soon. A little switch from past editions. Why the change? No idea...We start with more FIFA fun. Could Qatar share hosting duties with surrounding countries?

Stuart Holden returned to the Bolton line-up with a bang, scoring a shorthanded 2-1 derby winner over Blackburn with two minutes remaining (and less than a minute after Rovers had equalized, as you can see). - Greg Seltzer

By FRANCO PANIZO

Trailing against 10-man Bolton, Blackburn scored a late equalizer that looked to have sealed a result for the Rovers.

No one told Stuart Holden that.

Just seconds after Blackburn had pulled level at 1-1 through a Mame Biram Diouf finish, Holden got on the end of a headed pass, controlling the ball with his chest before smacking home a game-winning left-footed volley in the 88th minute.

By AVI CREDITOR

For much of the Philadelphia Union's inaugural season, the goalkeeper situation was tenuous and uncertain. That doesn't figure to be the case in 2011.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Colombian international Faryd Mondragon is set to sign with the Union on a free transfer from FC Cologne.

photo by Max Becherer/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

SUNRISE, Fla.- Gale Agbossoumonde is in a unique situation.

Fresh off of making his senior national team debut and going through a second U-20 cycle with the U.S. youth national team, Agbossoumounde is being looked at by U-20 head coach Thomas Rongen to provide leadership to the group despite having an unsettled and somewhat troubling club situation.

Doesn't that sound like a box snack?I'm still waiting on comment from L.A. boss Bruce Arena for my MLSS report on Edson Buddle's Birmingham City trial, but the Brums media guy was nice enough to transcribe today's full exchange on the matter between Brums manager Ally McLeish and beat writers. It'll turn up in UK reports soon enough, but here ya go in advance:Edson Buddle on trial with you?

Jozy Altidore and Villarreal will face Napoli while Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht will take on Ajax in Europa League Round of 32 action.

The Round of 32 draw took place on Friday and American players drew some tough opponents. Midfielder Maurice Edu and Rangers will meet Portuguese power Sporting FC.

Bah! I was putting this all together for a winter wonderland Friday reveal, and then someone at AP calls up Charlie Davies on Thursday. BAH, I say!Just kidding, it's all good news for our dude. You can smile all Christmas-y again.- Greg Seltzer

There may be no American soccer player enjoying a better run of form these days than Stuart Holden.

The U.S. national team midfielder has found a home at Bolton and has helped the club exceed expectations this season. Holden has also surpassed expectations, commanding a place in central midfield for a team currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League.

By FRANCO PANIZO

The Clint Dempsey-to-Liverpool rumors just won't go away, and they will likely continue should he have a strong game against the club this weekend.

Dempsey and Fulham travel to take on Liverpool in a game that could help the Cottagers further themselves from the relegation zone or drop them into it.

Yup. Charlies Davies is in the Sochaux 18 for their match against Bordeaux tomorrow. I may do a mini-LIVE if he enters the match, so check back.- Greg Seltzer

[Photo: TZ]Another quick hallelujah return note: 1860 Munich forward Kenny Cooper is in uniform for the Lions today. He's on the bench, the score is 1-0 to guests Paderborn midway through the opening frame and I will report back at full time whether he gets in the game or not.- Greg Seltzer

Our man Charlie Davies is on the sub's bench for the Sochaux v Bordeaux tilt that kicks off at the top of the hour (11 am ET). I will make score updates and switch to a LIVE if the #9 shirt enters the game for his first club action in over 14 months. Stay tuned...- Greg Seltzer

Estoril forward Tony Taylor netted the eventual winner with a sweet header (play starts at about 1:43 in the clip, right after the crazy free kick from the far sideline) as his side topped promotion chasers Arouca 5-2 to snap a three-game losing streak. Enjoy... - Greg Seltzer

Manchester City had a chance to grab first place in the English Premier League with a win on Monday, but Everton played the role of spoiler perfectly.

Led by a dominant performance from Tim Howard, and inspired effort by the Everton defense, the Toffees posted a 2-1 victory against Manchester City on Monday.

Fleet-footed Findley goes across the pond...

Sky Sports has the report this one we think you can trust since it's not The Daily Mail that Robbie Findley will sign for Championship side Nottingham Forest. That's a good move for the American striker and here's hoping he can show a thing or two in English football.

Stuart Holden has enjoyed a strong season for Bolton, perhaps stronger than we realized.

Holden has been named to the Guardian's English Premier League Team of the Season at the halfway point after garnered the highest average rating among all EPL players. The Guardian's website has reader-generated player rankings for all Premier League matches and Holden scored the highest average of the season.

Holden, loved by everyone.

After every game, we as fans love to go through the starting 11 and the substitutes that come off the bench and give everyone ratings. Newspapers and online publications do the same, and I for one immediately gravitate to this section.

It's a great forum for discussion and debate, and rarely do people completely agree.

This oddly makes me a little uncomfortable. Unsure I can root for Villarreal going forward.

Some quick bits for Wednesday morning:

Chuck D: Almost there.

• FC Stanky Legg

Charlie Davies and Sochaux head south to face relegation-hovering AS Monaco. Game time is 10AM EST, 1pm PST. Beyond Davies in this one, check out Monaco's Park Chu-Young, who dazzled for South Korea in South Africa and has been linked to a January transfer to Premiership clubs Aston Villa and Fulham among others.

American striker Charlie Davies is still working his way back from injuries suffered in a deadly car crash 14 months ago, and despite having been in uniform for Sochaux's recent match against Bordeaux, his future with the French club remains uncertain.

Davies will not be in uniform for the club's match today against AS Monaco, and Davies has been advised by his club to seek out loan opportunities.