Liverpool's Summer 2012 Transfer Targets - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Domestically, Liverpool have had a strange season. Their league form has been nothing short of terrible, however, their performances in the cups have been extremely impressive.

Next season Dalglish (providing he remains in charge) will no doubt look to improve the core of the Liverpool team, allowing them to challenge for a top four position.

The KNVB Beker (Dutch Cup) clash between Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar, which was suspended due to an attack on AZ keeper Esteban Alvarado in the initial encounter, was completed today in the Amsterdam ArenA with the home side going down to a 3-2 defeat.

Siem de Jong gave Ajax the lead as early as the 10th minute only for the visitors to restore parity fourteen minutes later through Maarten Martins.

The KNVB Beker (Dutch Cup) clash between Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar, which was suspended due to an attack on AZ keeper Esteban Alvarado in the initial encounter, was completed today in the Amsterdam ArenA with the home side going down to a 3-2 defeat.

Siem de Jong gave Ajax the lead as early as the 10th minute only for the visitors to restore parity fourteen minutes later through Maarten Martins.

photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

A handful of Americans could be in action on Thursday afternoon as the knockout phase of the Europa League begins, including two who will be in direct competition with one another.

Jozy Altidore and Sacha Kljestan are set to battle in the first leg of their Round of 32 Europa League fixtures.

The US roster to face Italy next week.

Cameron...moving up in the world...outta my way!

GOALKEEPERS (3) :Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (7) :Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)

MIDFIELDERS (6) : Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim)

FORWARDS (5) :Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Edson Buddle (LA Galaxy), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)

Chandler, Donovan, Torres withdraw from USA Roster; Shea & Kljestan added - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

The USA roster has changed a bit as three players have withdrawn and two are added. Timmy Chandler, Landon Donovan, and Jose Francisco Torres have been forced to withdraw from the squad due to injuries.

Antonio Di Natale was the only notable absentee as an otherwise full strength Udinese faced Eredivisie league leaders AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening. This was only the third time the Bianconeri had reached the last sixteen of this competition, and it was Antonio Floro Flores leading the line again in Europe.

After the news (broken on this site, incidentally) that Newcastle United have already signed a pre contract agreement with Romain Amalfitano. The latest name which has been coming up in recent reports about Newcastle United's scouting activity is that of precocious 18 year old AZ Alkmaar midfielder, Adam Maher.

According to the Dutch press, FC Groningen's General Director has confirmed Newcastle's interest in Virgil van Dijk. Following on from the recent gossip linking Newcastle with AZ Alkmaar midfielder Adam Maher, they are also apparently after a Dutch centre back by the name of Virgil van Dijk. Van Dijk no relation to Dick [.

One player continued his scoring pace while another got on the board for the first time as many of the members of the U.S. Men's National Team were in action this weekend. Here's some of the highlights:

• Clint Dempsey had a goal and an assist as Fulham captured a 2-1 win against Norwich.

By FRANCO PANIZO

If there was an award for the best goal scored in a season by an American Abroad, Jozy Altidore's latest strike would surely be up for contention.

Altidore scored his 14th league goal and 18th across all competitions on Saturday when he rocketed a shot from distance in AZ Alkmaar's match against PSV Eindhoven.

U.S. goalkeepers Tim Howard and Brad Friedel saw their FA Cup end in the semifinal stage this past weekend. Howard and Everton fell 2-1 to Liverpool, while Friedel's Tottenham side was upended 5-1 against Chelsea.

Howard had four saves in the match, and the Toffees started off with a 1-0 lead heading into the second half.

Liverpool's former director of football Damien Comolli may have one last parting gift for the club after it was reported that he sent he club's chief scout to Holland to watch midfielder Rasmus Elm.
Comolli was in charge of helping identify potential signings and it seems he was keen to try and convince Liverpool to move for the AZ Alkmaar midfielder just days before he was sacked.

According to reports, The Reds have agreed an £8 million deal to sign Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.

The 24-year-old AZ Alkmaar midfielder who will represent Sweden at Euro 2012 has scored 10 goals in his last 17 games for the Eredivisie club this season It is reported that Elm will move to Anfield on a five-year contract worth a £40,000 a week.

Here's another player to add to the growing list of players Newcastle are supposed to be interested in this summer. There is a report in the Daily Mirror that Alan Pardew has been in Holland and checking on Rasmus Elm of AZ Alkmaar. The 24 year-old 6′ tall central midfielder has played 22 times for Sweden and has [.

With the arrival of Jozy Altidore this morning, the USA's 23-player travel roster is now complete and fully operational. After a walking tour of the city this morning, the team will hold a public training session tonight at the University of Maryland, then gets its first look at FedExField tomorrow evening.

By AVI CREDITOR

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- For the first time since cutting his roster down to 23, U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann had all of his players available and in training on Monday evening in a public session in front of an estimated couple thousand fans at the University of Maryland's Ludwig Field.

As if there was not enough drama the last time Ajax and AZ Alkmaar played.

AZ advanced to the quarterfinals of the Dutch Cup with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ajax in their rescheduled round of 16 match on Thursday morning. A second-half penalty kick goal would be the decisive finish in a game that saw each team take and squander leads.

Kids day at the Amsterdam Arena

After a KNVB cup match between Ajax and AZ Alkmaar was suspended because a fan ran on to the pitch and attacked AZ's keeper, Ajax were able to replay the match, but with one caveat: only kids (and a few supervisors) would be allowed into the Amsterdam Arena.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

For the U.S. men's and women's national teams, it's a big weekend.

The women kick off their qualifying campaign for the 2012 Olympics Friday night in Canada, going up against the Dominican Republic. Just a couple of days later, Pia Sundhage's charges are at it again, facing Guatemala and hoping to secure maximum points before a final group showdown with Mexico.

It's Super Sunday due to the two big EPL North London-Manchester games, but there's also a couple interesting La Liga matchups and an relevant Eredivisie matchup today:

Super Sunday, Jan 22

Netherlands, Alkmaar-Ajax (8:30amET ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.

Today is one of those jam-packed days of soccer action that make you happy to be a soccer fan with a full day with nothing to do but watch soccer.

There is something for everybody today, from the historic Arsenal-Manchester United clash, which will be the first English Premier League match shown live on American network television, to this morning's Manchester City-Tottenham tilt featuring two of the best teams in England.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Feb 7, 2012) US Soccer Players -- In today's edition, Peter Vermes' shocking plan to get the most out of Bobby Convey, David Beckham confronts a referee over a red card, how Peter Nowak is building the Union, and the struggles of Jozy Altidore's AZ Alkmaar. What is Peter Vermes' (early) plan to get the best out of Bobby Convey?

Glasgow Rangers' foray into administration appears set for Tuesday.

The club faces a deadline imposed by the Court of Session to appoint an administrator today. Should Rangers fail to meet that deadline, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs would be allowed to step in and detemine who takes over the club's dealings, something that would undermine the club's control while it goes through and tries to climb out of financial turmoil.

Yes, Predictification is back! And if you think we have a lack of confidence in our UEFA Champions League predictions, you ain't seen nothing yet! The Europa League, as was its predecessor the UEFA Cup, is nearly impossible to predict. Why? Well, some clubs put in their best lineups while others put in scrubs because they place less emphasis on this tournament than they do in their own domestic leagues.

The Europa League's Round of 32 is set to begin on Thursday afternoon, and there are several appetizing match-ups on tap for soccer fans everywhere.

From Ajax-Manchester United to FC Porto-Manchester City to Lazio-Atletico Madrid, Thursday's list of games should have plenty of quality on display as teams look to jump ahead on aggregate in the first legs of these home-and-home series.

U.S. forward Jozy Altidore and his AZ Alkmaar side topped Sacha Kljestan and RSC Anderlecht 1-0 on Thursday in Europa League play.

U.S. Men's National Team and AZ Alkmaar forward Jozy Altidore found the win column as AZ Alkmaar defeated midfielder Sacha Kljestan's RSC Anderlecht 1-0 on Thursday in the knockout stage of the Europa League.

UEFA Europa League TV Listings 16 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are television listings for all the Europa League matches on February 16, 2011. Times listed are GMT or local UK time.

UEFA Europa League League TV Listings

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletic Bilbao, 17:00 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), NTV (Russia), Sport TV3 (Portugal), SuperSport (Africa)

Ajax v Man Utd, 18:00 DirecTV (USA), Channel FIVE (UK), C+ (Finland), Sport TV2 (Portugal), Sport 1 (Israel), SuperSport (Africa), TV2 Sport 1 (Norway), TV3+ (Denmark), TV4 Sport (Sweden), W9 (France), 3e (Ireland), RTL 7 (Netherlands)

AZ Alkmaar v Anderlecht, 18:00 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), Digi Sport (Hungary), NTV (Russia)

Lazio v Atletico Madrid, 18:00 GolTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), ESPN (UK), C+ (Spain/Sweden), Digi Sport (Hungary), Sport TV4 (Portugal), Setanta Sports (Ireland), SuperSport (Africa), Viasat (Norway), Sport+ (Russia)

Legia Warsaw v Sporting, 18:00 ITV 4 (UK), C+ (Spain), Sport TV1 (Portugal), SuperSport (Africa), DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East)

Plzen v Schalke, 18:00 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), Kabel Eins (Germany/Austria/Switzerland), Sky Sport (Germany), SuperSport (Africa), C+ (Spain)

SV Salzburg v FC Metalist Kharkiv, 18:00 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), Sky Sport (Austria/Germany), NTV (Russia)

FC Porto v Man City, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), ITV 1 (UK), C+ (France/Finland), Digi Sport (Hungary), Sport 1 (Israel), SuperSport (Africa), TV3+ (Denmark), TV4 Sport (Sweden), Viasat (Norway), SIC (Portugal), Setanta Sports (Ireland), NTV (Russia)

Hannover 96 v Club Brugge, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), Kabel Eins (Germany/Austria/Switzerland), NTV (Russia), Sky Sport (Germany), C+ (Spain), SuperSport (Africa)

Steaua Bucharest v FC Twente, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), Pro TV (Romania)

Stoke v Valencia, 20:05 GolTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), ESPN (UK), C+ (Sweden), Digi Sport (Hungary), Sport TV1 (Portugal), Sport+ (Russia), SuperSport (Africa), TV2 Sport 1 (Norway)

Trabzonspor v PSV Eindhoven, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), RTL 7 (Netherlands), Sport TV4 (Portugal)

Udinese v PAOK Salonika, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), ANT 1 (Greece), NTV (Russia), Sport TV2 (Portugal), SuperSport (Africa)

Wisla Krakow v Standard Liege, 20:05 DirecTV (USA), Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East), C+ (Spain), TV4 (Poland), AB3 (Belgium)

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UEFA Europa League TV Listings 16 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

Another week, another bout of speculation over whether Tim Ream will make his Bolton debut.

At the very least, he appears destined for a place on the bench for the first time since making his move from the New York Red Bulls to the Premier League.

USMNT will face Italy next week. (Getty Images)

As expected, US Men's National team coach Jurgen Klinsmann called a very Euro-based roster for next weeks friendly against Italy.

Only four MLS players were called up while the rest of the 21-man roster plays outside of the US. Some folks will be shocked not to see some of the usual Klinsmann guys like keeper Bill Hamid or midfielder Brek Shea, but the U23 national team also plays Mexico on the same day.

Jurgen Klinsmann has announced his USMNT roster for the upcoming February 29th friendly against Italy. The game will be played at 1:30 PM CST and you can catch the action on ESPN2, ESPN3, and Galavision. As per usual, HTIOT will also be featuring a gamethread during the match. Please join us to talk all things USMNT during the match.

Union

Read Ed's piece on Camden Youth Soccer Club's stolen goals. Do it now. (please)

The700Level wonders whether any of the Union's announcements at their recent town hall meeting will win back fans who were put off by the Sebastien Le Toux saga.

The team for Ghana's friendly against Chile at PPL Park will arrive on Monday, February 27.

Jozy Altidore and AZ Alkmaar have a chance to jump back into first when they host Heracles while Charles Kazlauskas and Helmond look to keep their undefeated 2012 going against leaders Zwolle.

Jozy Altidore is coming off an impressive week that included a goal for AZ Alkmaar and an assist against four-time World Cup champion Italy.

Several U.S. Men's National Team players could potentially take the pitch today in Europa League action.

UEFA Europa League Match Predictions 15 March 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are predictions for all the Europa League matches on March 15, 2011. Times listed are GMT or local UK time.

Atletico Madrid v Besiktas, 19:00 Atletico wins 2-0

Athletic Bilbao v Man Utd, 19:00 Man Utd wins 2-1

Hannover 96 v Standard Liege, 19:00 Hannover wins 1-0

PSV Eindhoven v Valencia, 19:00 1-1 Draw

Udinese v AZ Alkmaar, 19:00 1-1 Draw

Besiktas v Atletico Madrid, 21:05 Besiktas wins 1-0

Man City v Sporting Lisbon, 21:05 Man City wins 3-1

Schalke v FC Twente, 21:05 Schalke wins 2-0

Olympiakos v Metalist Kharkiv, 21:05

Follow @jrf90thminute

UEFA Europa League Match Predictions 15 March 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

It's do-or-die for the two Manchester powerhouses.

Manchester United and Manchester City both face deficits heading into the second legs of their respective Europa League Round of 16 ties. Athletic Bilbao managed three goals in a 3-2 win at Old Trafford last week, putting the favored Red Devils in a corner as they head to Spain.

U.S. national team starters Jozy Altidore, Steve Cherundolo and Jermaine Jones all saw their teams draw tough Spanish opponents in the Europa League quarterfinals, which were drawn on Friday.

Altidore will be returning to action in Spain for the first time since leaving Villarreal as AZ Alkmaar takes on Valencia, while Jermaine Jones and Schalke will try to stop the impressive attack of Athletic Bilbao.

Champions League and Europa League quarter final / semi final draws is a post from: Just Football

The draws for the Champions League and Europa League quarter and semi finals were made today at UEFA headquarters in Nyon. They were determined by an open draw in which no teams are seeded and clubs from the same national association could be drawn against each other.

Champions League and Europa League quarter final / semi final draws is a post from: Just Football

The draws for the Champions League and Europa League quarter and semi finals were made today at UEFA headquarters in Nyon. They were determined by an open draw in which no teams are seeded and clubs from the same national association could be drawn against each other.

The races across Europe for UEFA Champions League places next season are almost as important as the race for league titles, with teams desperately vying for the valuable income that comes with those precious qualification places.

The race in Serie A is as intense as any other, with four teams within six points of the fourth and final place in the Serie A standings.