Emile's rugby tactics Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey celebrated his 500th Premier League appearance in style with this shot against Manchester United. The former England international proved that most of his appearances have been as starts when he was reprimanded by the fourth official for entering the field of play before the electronic substitution board [.

It wasn't exactly a beautiful game, but Manchester United's 1-0 victory against Aston Villa was loaded with talking points.

The biggest storyline from the match wasn't United's victory, but the serious ankle injury suffered by Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, who rolled his ankle and appeared to suffer severe ligament damage.

Brazilian footballing artist and legend Socrates has died it was announced on Sunday morning after a long struggle with intestinal problems as In The Stands salutes a true genius of the game. Socrates is said to have suffered a septic shock in the early hours of Sunday morning and the 57-year-old died at 04:30AM Brazilian [.

Newcastle's talented defender James Tavernier has so far played 36 games on loan this year. James Tavernier -- one of Newcastle's top youngsters James is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and he has played 18 times at Gateshead and 17 times at Carlisle and made one appearance so for for Wednesday so far this year.

Euro 2012 draw preview: Meet the teams

England will find out which three teams they'll face in the group phase of Euro 2012 next summer when the draw is made in Kiev on Friday. Here's a bluffer's guide to the 16 nations who'll be taking part, based on how they are seeded for the draw.

Brazilian football legend Socrates has died at the age of 57 it has been reported today.

The former Botafogo, São Paulo, Corinthians, Flamengo and Fiorentina player was taken to hospital on Friday with food poisoning and later died through an intestinal infection.

Socrates was perhaps best known amongst football followers for his performances with the Brazilian national team in the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups and it is sad that he is one of few Brazilians superstar players never to win a major tournament with the Seleção.

Former Brazil captain and World Cup 1982 legend Socrates has died it was announced on Sunday morning after a long struggle with intestinal problems as In The Stands salutes a true genius of the game. Socrates is said to have suffered a septic shock in the early hours of Sunday morning and the 57-year-old died [.

It has been a near foregone conclusion ever since he was first loaned out several months ago, but Miguel Montano officially signed with the Montreal Impact on Wednesday. The Seattle Sounders did not receive compensation for Montano, but GM Adrian Hanauer noted that his loan last year gave the team the flexibility to sign Sammy Ochoa.

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.

What a year 2011 was for Football! We have had fireworks, management fallouts, enthralling top-of-the-table encounters, relegation scraps and transfer embargos to drive any football fan round the twist. So without wetting your appetite any further, here is In The Stands' top ten football moments of 2011.

The Europa League has given some good opportunities for some of our younger players to gain some experience and the group games have probably been influential in the new contracts earned by Tom Carroll and Jake Livermore last week.

It has also given some of our fringe players a rare chance to operate in the first team but with European elimination looking likely, this could be the last chance for some of them to shine.

Since the season ended (and actually probably before that) I'd been working on a project to find the youngest and oldest players to appear for Sporting KC throughout their history. I finished that project up earlier this past week. And to start off my updating of all the stats that I do, I figured I'd start with a new one.

R9: Pra Sempre Fenomeno

As the career of one legend sets, the career of another is about to explode. There will never be another quite like O Fenomeno, but even after is playing days are over (no, scoring in a Match Against Poverty does not count as your career living on) the man continues to be a class act.

The death of long time North Korean leader Kim Jung Il was greeted with shed loads of tears by North Koreans living within the secretive Communist state. Kim Jung Il's death has also triggered memories of Jong Sae-Te's heart-wrenching tears before North Korea's match with Brazil at World Cup 2010. It was eye-opening stuff and [.

Since in many ways this was my first regionals all over again (new sport), I went back and compared the notes I wrote (literally, on an old Apple Newton) and compared them with my experience this last weekend. And there are several similarities and differences:
Similarities:
* Chance to get better games if you perform well
* High pressure, high stakes games
* Some nice comrade with the other officials
But there were some big differences, too.

Three Sporting KC players have been called up by Jurgen Klinsmann for the upcoming US Men's national team camp in Phoenix and Los Angeles. Teal Bunbury returns to the US national team, having been a part of the quite a few of Klinsmann last few squads, although he's yet to make an appearance for the national team under the new manager.

Photo: Earl Gardner

With the signing of Porfirio Lopez yesterday, the Philadelphia Union continued a busy offseason that has already addressed many glaring needs.

Since the 2011 season ended in defeat at Houston, the Union have parted ways with Justin Mapp, purchased the rights to a Costa Rican striker, a Costa Rican fullback, and a Panamanian utilityman, signed a Tanzanian winger through the re-entry draft, and added a homegrown player.

Maxi eyes half century

Max Rodriguez could be set for a landmark 50th league appearance for Liverpool if he is selected for the Boxing Day clash with Blackburn Rovers.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-24 09:43:50 from: Liverpool FC

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

A report out of Spain states that the Fire are negotiating to acquire former Barcelona and current player for Spanish 2nd division Alcorcon Abraham Gonzalez. A Google Translation of the relevant passage:

Abraham Gonzalez is about to play next season in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011 season.

Keon Daniel first showed up as the unknown trialist.

It's obvious that Ben Arfa was simply delighted with his sub appearance yesterday at the Reebok Stadium. Ben Arfa - getting towards being fully fit The Frenchman came on after 61 minutes and changed the game for Newcastle, and he got the very important first goal on 69 minutes with an exhibition of his great skill.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

Why Demba Ba is making the millions spent on Carroll on Torres look more and more foolish and where Liverpool's support of Suarez should have stopped

Andy Carroll has had his travails for Liverpool – but they have been ­overshadowed by the nightmare of the man he replaced at Anfield.

'He's a credit to his profession'

Kenny Dalglish has praised the contribution of Maxi Rodriguez after the midfielder netted the equaliser during his 50th Barclays Premier League appearance for Liverpool in the 1-1 Boxing Day draw with Blackburn Rovers.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-29 09:46:37 from: Liverpool FC

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

Want to feel better about your Xmas bloat? Look at these pictures of Ronaldo's charity comeback!

There's no denying the fact that Brazilian legend Ronaldo is one of the greatest strikers ever to have played the beautiful game. Unfortunately, there's also no denying that he was prone to carrying more timber than an octopus lumberjack.

Cardiff City are enjoying a good start to the 2011-12 season, and whilst the priority for all clubs in the Championship will always be to make it to the Holy Land of the Premiership, this season a rare opportunity has opened up for Malky Mackay's side.
Having defeated Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup, they now find themselves just two games away from an appearance at Wembley in what would be their second run-out at the famous stadium in the last four years – not a bad record for a side that has been stranded outside the top tier of English football since 1962.