DC United has decided not to exercise their option on Luciano Emilio's contract for the 2010 season, reports Soccer Insider's Steven Goff, a move that could spell the end of the Brazilian forward's time in the nation's capital.
Signed by the club in 2007, Emilio burst onto the scene with 20 goals in his first season in D.

Bargain or Big Mistake: It's up to you Rafa!

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Those of you who read my last article will know it was regarding Liverpool's current striker plight.

Fulham hosted Manchester United on Saturday, December 19, 2009 in the English Premier League. Both clubs are in the top half of the table and have had successful seasons domestically and in Europe. Man U are in second place heading into the match and in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League while Fulham are in the top half of the table and into the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa League.

Leeds United supporters are singing the praises of American forward Mike Grella this morning. The former Duke University standout hit the back of the net twice in a span of eight minutes in overtime to propel the club to a 5-1 victory over Kettering Town in the second round of the FA Cup, setting up a clash with Manchester United in the tournament's next round.

The UEFA Champions League resumed its group stage on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 with several matches including Manchester United v VfL Wolfsburg. This is the last set of group stage matches before the knockout stages starts in February 2010. Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Manchester United beats VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 Video Highlights

VfL Wolfsburg had a golden opportunity in the 18th minute as had a header from close range but missed it high.

When last we saw him. Home to Hull City this weekend, he suddenly becomes a very interesting pick at 8.64. Here's his day according to the BBC. 45:00+0:05 Stewart Downing sends in a cross, Richard Hughes manages to make a clearance. 73:41 GOAL - Stewart Downing: Portsmouth 1 - 3 Aston Villa Stewart Downing finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close range.

Flop heads for the Anfield Exit!

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Greek side Panathinaikos are set to swoop for Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin in the January transfer window, according to reports.

Carlos Tevez has insisted that even if he scores against Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final, he will not celebrate due to the feelings he still harbours for our fans.

He used to grab our badge as he warmed up on the touchline, waiting to come off the bench, but hasn't seemed to find that connection at yet.

[101GG] Emmanuel Eboue has gone through some hard times at Arsenal over the past couple of years. Things got a bit harder on the weekend when Eboue, with Thomas Sorensen pulled out of his goal, did the honorable thing and blocked a Cesc shot from landing in the back of the net. No one likes taking [.

The UEFA Europa League is down to its let week of group stage matches including Fulham v FC Basel on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. The teams are in Group E and currently 2nd and 3rd (8 and 9 points) with the match determining who will make the knockout stage. Fulham have to win to advance to the next stage while Basel will advance with a win or a draw.

Aston Villa and Liverpool appeared to be playing out a draw at Villa Park as both sides failed to convert the chances to clinch all three points in this top four chase until Fernando Torres popped up with a late winner.

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina pulled off the save of the match as Stewart Downing failed to find the back of the net from close range.

As expected Lionel Messi succeeded Cristiano Ronaldo as the winner of the Ballon d'Or award. The Barcelona star comfortably won the prize but he admitted his surprise at the margin of victory as he received 240 points more than Cristiano Ronaldo who finished second.

Messi was quite close to winning all 480 points possible as he finished with a near perfect 473 points while Real Madrid's Ronaldo got 233 points which is less than half of Messi's total!

When last we saw him. Home to Hull City this weekend, he suddenly becomes a very interesting pick at 8.64. Here's his day according to the BBC. 45:00+0:05 Stewart Downing sends in a cross, Richard Hughes manages to make a clearance. 73:41 GOAL - Stewart Downing: Portsmouth 1 - 3 Aston Villa Stewart Downing finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close range.

Nate Silver is a box score genius. Nate Silver can call states, counties and wards like no other. But can Nate predict the winner of the World Cup?
Some of our global readers may find Nate Silver's statistical offerings on "soccer" other worldly. Who is this four eyed American running the numbers on our game, I hear some of you dismissively spit.

Some thoughts on today's action on a lazy Saturday morning. It's half time across the country...

• In the early game, Portsmouth won 2-0 at home to Burnley. Avram Grant got his first win and it came courtesy of a game-changing substitution in the 60th minute. Pompey looked 2nd best throughout the first half, but Grant introduced the classy and composed Kanu in the second half - and that made the difference.

There were two main matches on Sunday, December 6, 2009 in the English Premier League as Fulham hosted Sunderland and Totteham Hotspur traveled to Goodison Park to face Everton. All four teams are in the top half and in contention for a spot in Europe for next season. Here's a recap of both matches along with video highlights.

The UEFA Champions League resumed its group stage on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 with several matches including Chelsea v APOEL FC. This is the last set of group stage matches before the knockout stages starts in February 2010. Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Chelsea draws with APOEL FC 2-2 Video Highlights

APOEL were given virtually no chance to win the match or even get a result but would stun the crowd at Stamford Bridge with an early lead.

The UEFA Champions League wrapped up its group stage on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 with several matches including FC Barcelona v Dynamo Kiev. The first and second place finishers in each group move to the knockout stage while third place drops into the Europa League. Here's a recap and video highlights of the match.

Out jumping Adebayor, this Serbian has some ups...
Our Funny Feeling Friday selection this week is Serb Branislav Ivanovic. The 25 year old Chelsea defender is in excellent form this season, and has proven to be a capable right back in the absence of Jose Bosingwa (and his unibrow) to injury.

Not the greatest quality, but heres a video of the goals:

So, 3-2 against Levadeiakos (who currently sit second from last) when we had a two goal lead. Not good enough. Even in our terrible state we should not be giving up two goal leads to teams like this. But, nonetheless, we got the three points and we now move up to fifth, thanks largely to PAOK who drew with Kavala as well as Panionios who drew with Larissa, and Aris who lost at home to Tripolis!

Written by Tim Hayes

Former Minnesota Thunder player Marco Terminesi was named the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) player of the week after his nine-point performance this past Saturday evening. Terminesi scored 3 goals (including one 3-pointer) and had two assists in the Milwaukee Wave's 27-6 thrashing of the Philadelphia KiXX.

The 2009 FIFA Club World Cup had its second semifinal on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 as Spanish giants FC Barcelona took on Mexican club Atlante. Barcelona is looking to continue their great 2009 and earn another trophy while Atlante would make news with an upset. Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Espanyol

All Espanyol wants for X-mas is for someone other then Ivan Alonso to score a goal. So in other words Espanyol isn't being a brat or over-demanding this X-mas and this gift is something that they really do deserve. And the club has had a tough season with the sudden loss of their team captain, Jarque, right before the grand opening of their new stadium and the beginning of the La Liga season.

Ascoli hosted Reggina in Weekend 17 of Serie B on December 4th, 2009. The match witnessed some controversial moments as first an injured Reggina player Carlos Valdez attempted to kick the ball out of play so he can be replaced. Seemingly unaware of Valdez's intention, Ascoli's Vincenzo Sommese kept the ball in play and went forward to set up Mirko Antenucci for the match's first goal.

The UEFA Europa League finished its group stage on Thursday, December 12, 2009 with several matches including Rapid Vienna v Celtic. Both teams had no chance of making the knockout stage but it was a chance to finish the group stage on a high note. The match was in Austria with very tough conditions and freezing temperatures.

We lost 2-1 to Benfica yesterday in a game which made no difference to either side (Bate beat Everton 1-0 away). The funny thing here, however, is despite this match meaning nothing to AEK (except a little pride) we saw some pleasing football from our players.

Benfica hit the post on a penalty early on which kept us in the game for quite a while but our luck didn't last too long as Benfica scored two goals (the first one took a nasty bounce though Saja still should have been able to save it) without response from AEK.

by FRANCO PANIZO

Clint Dempsey has cooled down a bit since achieving a rapid-fire scoring streak over the past seven weeks, but Dempsey will have an opportunity to reignite that streak this weekend, only his chance comes against an EPL heavyweight.

Dempsey and Fulham play host to Manchester United, which is still trying to make up for its 1-0 loss to Aston Villa at home last weekend.

by FRANCO PANIZO

Clint Dempsey has cooled down a bit since achieving a rapid-fire scoring streak over the past seven weeks, but Dempsey will have an opportunity to reignite that streak this weekend, only his chance comes against an EPL heavyweight.

Dempsey and Fulham play host to Manchester United, which is still trying to make up for its 1-0 loss to Aston Villa at home last weekend.

Cesc Fabregas flat out knows how to win games.

The Arsenal star is a huge difference maker for his top four squad and with many star offensive players hurt (Bendtner and van Persie to name a few) the Gunners know that Fabregas has to be the man to rely on. Well the Gunners just can't catch a break so far in the injury department.

by FRANCO PANIZO

Barcelona suffered a little more than it would have liked in the FIFA Club World Cup final, but the Spanish club finished a dream year with another piece of hardware to add to its already crowded cabinet.

Barcelona came back from a one-goal deficit to dispose of Estudiantes, 2-1,on Saturday.

by FRANCO PANIZO

Barcelona suffered a little more than it would have liked in the FIFA Club World Cup final, but the Spanish club finished a dream year with another piece of hardware to add to its already crowded cabinet.

Barcelona came back from a one-goal deficit to dispose of Estudiantes, 2-1,on Saturday.

The FIFA 2009 Club World Cup is down to the last day of competition as Estudiantes La Plata (CONMEBOL) takes on FC Barcelona (UEFA) in the championship match. Both clubs were the favorites to reach the finals of the tournament as they had byes to the semifinal round. Estudiantes reached the final after defeating Pohang Steelers while FC Barcelona beat Atlante.

Robbie Fowler has been busy in the Australian A-League. Apart from having scored nine goals and one assist, he has been doing what marquee signings are meant to do.

Fowler kicks in for Mayor's Christmas Appeal
Wednesday, 9 December 2009North Queensland Fury FC skipper Robbie Fowler has blasted past feeble goal keeping to kick home a win for the Townsville Mayor's Christmas Appeal.

by FRANCO PANIZO

U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley released the 30-man roster that will participate in the first camp of 2010 on Tuesday, but before we turn the page on the year that was, SBI is taking a look back at the top five goals of the year.

With the U.

by FRANCO PANIZO

U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley released the 30-man roster that will participate in the first camp of 2010 on Tuesday, but before we turn the page on the year that was, SBI is taking a look back at the top five goals of the year.

With the U.

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- Christmas Greetings From Loftus Road
- Mirror/James Nursey - Why this season is make or break for Jay Simpson's Arsenal career
- Martin Allen Speaking About Racism Allegations
- Brown and Oastler back at QPR?

Morning all, time to drag your hungover and turkey filled carcass back to the table for a great big helping of Arsenal.

A massive game against Villa today. There's still no more team news than there was so we'll be keeping fingers crossed over Cesc. Yesterday's results were kindly. Chelsea dropped points at Birmingham, Sp*rs dropped points at Fulham, so a win today becomes less crucial but certainly more valuable.

While I don't want to take anything away from what was a very good team performance yesterday, there can be no getting away from the fact that one man made a real difference to the result.

Cesc Fabregas was introduced in the 56th minute, scored two goals, practically dismantled what had previously been a very well organised Villa side, then went off in the 84th minute with what looks like a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

Well, we certainly banished those Boxing Day blues against Scunthorpe but unfortunately amongst all the post match excitement we must have had a few too many turkey sandwiches because the players once again let themselves down against Barnsley. So much for turning a corner and accelerating on the open road.

The Scottish Premier League had several matches scheduled for Wednesday, December 30, 2009 including Rangers hosting Dundee United. Rangers are currently leading the SPL table and it was a chance to extend their lead with Celtic's match being postponed. Dundee United (4th) are looking to pick up points on Hibernian who are one place above them (3rd) in the league table.