Yes, the gentlemen involved are Uruguayan and Belgian Benfica's Maxi Pereira and Axel Witsel.

This is a technique which is terribly underutilized in the sport. In fact, all forms of chicanery are underutilized these days. We're still missing the glory days of Catania's dropping trou free kick distractions.

The New York Yankees needed pitching help. What do they do? In a trade with the Seattle Mariners, the Yankees stole one of the best, young pitching prospects in all of baseball. Michael Pineda, who showed dynamite stuff as a rookie last season, heads to New York, while Jesus Montero was sent to Seattle.

Good look at how it works, usage and abusage, here.

My thought (and comment) is that if Premier League clubs were to be restricted to a fixed number of professional players, as per baseball (where it's known as a 40 man roster), part of the problem would disappear.

Player A is a Liverpool reserve they bought from Crystal Palace when he was 17 because they thought he might one day be good.

Good look at how it works, usage and abusage, here.

My thought (and comment) is that if Premier League clubs were to be restricted to a fixed number of professional players, as per baseball (where it's known as a 40 man roster), part of the problem would disappear.

Player A is a Liverpool reserve they bought from Crystal Palace when he was 17 because they thought he might one day be good.

Well, we don't have the Teacher's Pension Plan to kickaround anymore. The big bad mediagiants, Bell and Rogers have married and bought MLSE. Now what does this meanfor our little TFC? I am hoping for either benign neglect or selling off the team,but not holding my breath for either. Bizarre billionaires are rare in Canada.

Could Brad Pitt win the Premier League?

You don't get too many Premier League managers who look like Brad Pitt, although Jose Mourinho did cool and brooding pretty well. But as baseball gets the Hollywood treatment with the UK premiere of the film Moneyball, based on the book that detailed how Billy Beane used statistics and analysis rather than gut instincts to turn the Oakland Athletics from nobodies to big players in the MLB, the same principles are starting to be applied in the top flight.

Kasey Keller gets another nod of recognition. This time through the power of the fans who selected his flurry against the San Jose Earthquakes as the Major League Soccer Save of the Year. Pulling in 42% of the vote the Seattle Sounders keeper beat out Troy Perkins' two nominations and outfield player Teemu Tainio's incredible move.

We've covered why John Lackey sucks. Now, the hefty pitcher for the Boston Red Sox is back in the news after the team announced that Lackey will need Tommy John surgery. Due to the surgery, Lackey will miss all of next season.

But don't feel sorry for him. This is the same guy who divorced his wife while she was battling cancer.

By Eric Beard

"He's been waiting for this moment his entire life. He's just minutes away from hoisting up the trophy of his dreams. Holland has stayed up all night to watch their beloved Dutch maestro make history. They said it was impossible. Hell, I said it was impossible.

@TimbersArmyNoob sent us the top five finishers so far for TANYA 2011. Who do you think is most deserving of a TANYA? Take the poll below.

Top 5

• LARPers Whether it be a Luchador mask, an Aztec headdress, facepaint, kilts, or mohawks, we are all special and deserve to get noticed.

Revealed: How baseball convinced Liverpool to spend £20m on Jordan Henderson

Reds' Comolli has tapped into methods of US talent-scouting guru Billy Beane

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-10-12 22:30:17 from: The Mirror

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

Soccer has come a long way in America, but the MLS can still not compete with the excitement and fan devotion that exists in the foreign leagues. Part of soccer-s problem in America is that it is not popular; the majority of the stadiums are empty when MLS games are being played. This does not mean the MLS lacks quality and skilled players; there are many high-quality players, and during the off-season they often find themselves playing for teams in Europe.

'Moneyball' can inspire Premier League success, insists Billy Beane

Billy Beane, the man behind the Moneyball phenomenon, has dismissed the notion that his principles cannot be adapted from baseball to other sports.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-10-11 11:44:01 from: The Mail

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

I'm telling ya, all these baseball late nights are making my brain foggy. Meant to have this up last night, but just fell out and I'm slow today. Plenty coming your way, let's get started...The MLS Goal of the Week decision is rough this time. It's hard to pick a standout.This crazy concoction by Bayer Leverkusen's Eren Derdiyok will be remembered for a long time.

I admit it. We were dead wrong. After questioning the wisdom of the Tampa Bay Rays for starting Matt Moore in Game 1 against the Texas Rangers, Moore went out there and dominated. And really, "dominated" doesn't give the kid enough credit.

In seven innings of work, Moore gave up two hits and two walks.

While all of your baseball loving friends are watching the Phillies take on St. Louis in the NLDS, join the Philly Soccer Page for a live chat as the Philadelphia Union take on Chivas USA in their quest to make the MLS Playoffs on Sunday, October 2. The chat starts at 7:45pm for the 8pm kickoff. The game is on The Comcast Network.

The Tampa Bay Rays are fearless. That fearlessness extends to their coaching staff, who has decided to go with Matt Moore in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Texas Rangers. In the 162-game regular season, the 22-year-old Moore started a grand total of one game.

Why is Matt Moore starting? First of all, he's a major talent.

There are plenty of good candidates for the 2011 NL Cy Young Award. However, one man stands out above the rest of the pack. And here's a hint at who he is: The Cy Young Award winner knows the 2011 NL MVP winner very well.

5. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
One of three Phillies on this list, Cole Hamels finished second in the NL in WHIP at 0.

Ozzie Guillen wrote a blog post for MLB.com that was supposed to be published after he was officially hired by the Florida Marlins. However, MLB.com posted it right away.

Why?

Call it a baseball error.

Said Dinn Mann, the VP of MLB: "[Ozzie Guillen] put something together and submitted it, but it wasn't supposed to go up.

The NBA lockout is still going strong. It has been a one step forward, two steps back sort of situation. Whenever there is progress, it seems to be washed away in a matter of days. NBA commissioner David Stern has already canceled the first preseason games and has delayed the start of training camps.

**UPDATE** Give me another day or so...

Just thought I would put up a teaser post that tomorrow (well since it is 1am, I could say today, but I haven't gone to bed yet) I will probably sit down and really put in my thoughts on soccer and life in general. It is amazing to me the stories of soccer that are spoken about the players that aren't in the spotlight, or without a contract with a club for that matter.

This week's MLSsoccer column:
Climbing the Ladder: Who scores the most important goals?
I've seen several people do this for other leagues (for example, Soccermetrics), but I've yet to see it for MLS. Using the data below, I determined how many points each goal was worth by comparing the PPG from teams in each situation in each minute.

Don DeLillo's modern classic American novel 'Underworld' opens with the 1951 National League title (baseball) game between the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers, held at the Giants Polo Fields stadium. In the 9th innings the Dodgers Ralph Branca pitches to Bobby Thompson, who hits it into the stands for a 3 run homer that secures the title for the Giants.

Now this looks much more natural that that Solo v. Nash clip. Either LD and Lincecum have better writers and a semester of Improv for Athletes under their belt or they were legitimately talking sh*t with one another. Either way it's gold.

By Alan Duffy

Stoke City 1-0 Liverpool Premier League September 10 2011

Liverpool's impressive start to the season came undone at the Britannia stadium, courtesy of a spot-kick from Republic of Ireland international Jonathan Walters. However, King Kenny was left fuming over both the decision by referee Mark Clattenburg to award the first penalty and his decision not to give one to Liverpool after Matthew "Matty" Upson handballed in his own box.

Brazil vs Ghana was a thrilling clash of cultures and philosophies just a shame none of it was on the pitch

If I were to describe the difference between a football match in the UK and a baseball or ice hockey game in the United States, the word I'd use is ‘energy.

CC Sabathia has been one of the best pitchers in all of baseball the last few years. However, he hasn't had much success against the Boston Red Sox. For a pitcher for the New York Yankees, that's definitely an issue. But on Tuesday, Sabathia finally notched a win against New York's arch nemesis.

In notching his first win against the Red Sox in five attempts, Sabathia went six innings and struck out ten batters while allowing two runs.

Let's talk about Cesc. As discussed numerous times on this little ol' slice of the Interwebs and elsewhere, it's very difficult to quantify and access soccer players analytically and determine their actual value in winning and losing games. With so many players and leagues around the globe and precious few statistical metrics there's no way to assign a handy-dandy baseball term like WAR (wins

When WNT stars Abby Wambach and Shannon Boxx threw out ceremonial first pitches before the MLB American League baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway last weekend, there were probably a lot of soccer fans watching baseball for the first time. Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc posted this pic of the players jumping before the big pitch.

Sporting events and commentary go in hand in hand with each other. How odd would it be to watch a soccer, football, and baseball or hockey game without someone offering analysis and play by play action of the game? As a fan of several sports I have been subjected to many announcers in games; some good and some that weren't so good.

The biggest hits we have had for a story in the recent past was a table of average attendances for the past season in the top 30 European clubs. Barcelona came top, followed by Borussia Dortmund and then Manchester United.

The story raises a broader issue. Why are we so interested in attendances?

Stephen Strasburg's return from Tommy John surgery began on Sunday afternoon in Hagerstown, Maryland. That's where he made his first minor league rehab start after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery.

In the Class A game, Stephen Strasburg looked about as good as the Washington National could have hoped.

The Texas Rangers weren't happy with their bullpen a few days ago. You can go ahead and scratch that concern. Yesterday, the Rangers traded for Koji Uehara. Today, the Rangers traded for Mike Adams of the San Diego Padres.

Koji Uehara and Mike Adams are two of the best relief pitchers in the game of baseball.

According to sources, the Boston Red Sox are close to gambling by acquiring Rich Harden from the Oakland A's. While Rich Harden has a lot of potential, he is one of the most injury-prone players in all of baseball. That said, he's been healthy for the month of July and that apparently was enough to convince the Red Sox.

Damien Comolli has revealed how a production line from the Academy to Melwood is crucial to the owners' vision of success at Liverpool.
The emergence of players such as Jack Robinson and John Flanagan at the end of last season provided proof that the work being done by the likes of Pep Segura, Frank McParland and Rodolfo Borrell over in Kirkby was paying dividends.

By Neil W. Blackmon "It's disappointing to hear because I think he's done a fine job. Always a diligent, hard worker." Sir Alex Ferguson "There is no other sport like football. It is beautiful and it imitates life because it is a game of failure. Americans have baseball, and it is beautiful and there [.

What was that? This team just can't get it right. Even when they have a game under control and should be playing out a 2-0 victory, they find a way to mess it up. To be more precise, keeper Kocic found a way to come out for a loose ball and flub it. He left the RE shocked striker with the ball at his feet and nothing but net to hit.

Jose Bautista, who is arguably the best hitter in all of baseball, was hit in the helmet by a pitch on Tuesday. Watch the Jose Bautista video below. Thankfully, it appears as if Jose Bautista will be okay. When you watch the video, you'll see just how scary it was.

Thankfully, Jose Bautista was able to turn his head at the last second.

Adrian Beltre of the Texas Rangers is proving to be one of the best free agent acquisitions in all of baseball. The Rangers are playing great, Beltre is smashing and his defense has been amazing. Unfortunately, we have to give you an Adrian Beltre injury update due to a pulled hamstring.

Beltre pulled his hamstring on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning.

URUGUAY

Uruguay come into the 2011 Copa America Semi-Finals with the most experience jointly holding the record of 14 Copa America titles with Argentina, their last success coming in 1995, beating Brazil on penalties 5-3.

Route to the Semi's:

Peru
Chile
Mexico W 1-0
Argentina

PERU
Uruguay's opponents in the 2011 Copa America Semi-Finals Peru have won the Copa America two times 1939 and 1975, coincidently Peru's very first international match was a 4-0 defeat to Uruguay back in 1927, could this be an omen for another defeat for the Peruvians.