Wow, a huge upset in the first round of European World Cup qualifiers as Austria beat France 3-1. When you look at those lineups, there is no way that France should not at least have come out of Vienna without a draw, and even that would have to be considered an upset. I am sure that the pressure is now squarely on Raymond Domenech, but it really should be on the French FA for keeping Domenech after the debacle that was the French performance at Euro 2008.

Jozy Altidore was not in the substitute bench nor in the lineup for Villareal in their recent Champions League clash against Manchester United at the Old Tafford. The game ended in a draw 0-0. The next game would in Spain in the next two weeks.

English Premier League FULHAM 0 BLACKBURN 1 In what has surely been a nightmare season so far for the Texan, Dempsey was left on the bench for Fulham's 1-0 loss to Blackburn this morning.  Matt Derbyshire made the difference in the 84th minute after coming on for Treacy, shooting low and hard past Mark Schwarzer.

There were many dissenting voices to my article about the academy and whether players coming through it are being ostracized both in the comments on this blog as well as on the forums that picked it up.
The main arguments were that, if good enough, players will come through and, even though I've got my reservations about that (would Jamie Carragher have made it at Liverpool if he'd come through now?

Apparently Ronaldinho likes short shorts. This photo was taken during Milan's 3-1 UEFA Cup win over FC Zurich yesterday. Good win for Milan (finally) but not a happy day for 'Dinho. He started on the bench and didn't come on until the 75th minute with Milan 3-0 up. Zurich scored three minutes later. (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)

And here.. we... go..

Zach Wells; Bryan Namoff, Devon McTavish, Marc Burch, Gonzalo Martinez; Boyzzz Khumalo, Clyde Simms, Santino Quaranta, Craig Thompson; Luciano Emilio, Ryan Cordeiro

Bench: Louis Crayton, Rod Dyachenko, Francis Doe, Quavas Kirk, Jaime Moreno, Fred, Greg Janicki

And here's what the 4-4-2 will look like:

-----------Cordeiro------------Emilio------------- --------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------Quaranta----------------------- Thompson------------------------------Khumalo ----------------------Simms------------------------- Martinez-----------------------------------Namoff -------------Burch---------McTavish------------- -------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------Wells--------------------------

Fergie is understandably very angry with Emanuel Pogatetz for his challenge on Rodrigo Possebon. However, the 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder, who was making his first United start, was taken to hospital, kept in overnight for observation but has now learned there is no break.

"It looked a really bad one.

This weekend could see the debut of Mikael Silvestre who has finally overcome a muscle injury. The former Manchester United defender is likely to be benched for the clash against newly-promoted Hull, although he may start ahead of either Kolo Toure or William Gallas if Arsene chooses to rest one of his first-choice defensive pairing.

Dimitar Berbatov has said all the right things since becoming a red. After cutting a sulky figure on the Spurs bench for the past few weeks, we see a new, happy player emerging. He is at his dream club. Whilst Berbatov has received a lot of stick for his moody behaviour, now that he is a [...]

After the delusion that was the Olympic games, the Azzurrini returned to the pitch to continue qualifying for the UEFA 2009 U21 Championships. The big story was the debut of Mario Balotelli, who after receiving Italian citizenship a few weeks ago was finally eligible to be called up. The Azzurrini needed a win to guarantee first place in the qualifying group, but anything less meant they would have to conquer qualification on Tuesday in Croatia.

By 1970's Gooner All the interested clubs, including Arsenal, would have lapped up the chance to observe from close up the fitness levels of much sought after midfielder, Stephen Appiah, last night in hot Tripoli. As we reported on this site yesterday Appiah started this World Cup Qualifier on the bench but his chance came pretty quickly when on the 22nd minute Chelsea's Michael Essien was

What is it about Carlos Tevez that he loses his cool when he puts on the Argentina jersey? He was sent off today in the match against Paraguay for the second time in 3 matches as the match ended in a 1-1 draw. This is a great result for Paraguay as they continue to lead the South American qualifying group and got a vital result in Buenos Aires.

A short-handed United club took the field in San Jose with a defined line-up and specific instructions from bench boss Tommy Soehn. The club responded with a huge effort. The team kept its shape. They counter-attacked effectively and created chances. Subs came off the bench and made a difference in the game.

Six points in the bag and little doubt the US will advance to the hexagonal. However the truth be told I think the United States finishes third in the hexagonal on current form and must improve its linkup play and general possession play in the final four matches of this qualifying stage. With this in mind this is the lineup I would like to see tomorrow assuming the bucket is being used by Bradley again.

How 'bout this for a team: Defense consisting of Chivu, Van Damme, Heitinga, Nigel de Jong MIdfield: Maduro, Sneijder, Van der Vaart (Pienaar on the bench) Offense: Van der Meyde, Zlatan, Ryan Babel (with Mido and Tom de Mul benched). I guess you could win a Dutch title with these lads, if you

There's a nice write-up about Bouna Coundoul in the Denver Post (link below) and how he is caught between a rock and a hard place both at home and with the Senegal national team. He's saying all the right things about being happy as a deputy to Preston Burpo but it is clear how frustrated he is at being on the bench both for the Colorado Rapids and Senegal.

This is a frustrating way to drop two points that were well within grasp. United had a 2-1 lead, and looked marginally the better side. Still, Dallas was finding moments of slicing through the defense, and so it was that Eric Avila slipped down the left side of the defense and send the ball outside of the diving Crayton to Rocha, and United found themselves settling for one point instead of taking all three.

After missing close to a year of first-team action due to a metatarsal injury, Liverpool defender Daniel Agger insists he is ready to bide his time to break back into Rafa Benitez's starting XI.
Agger's appearances in a Liverpool shirt have been few and far between over the past year. Last September, the Dane damaged a metatarsal that was expected to keep him sidelined for around four months.

Arsenal took on a tough Bolton side at the Reebok this afternoon looking to extend their points in the Premier League table. Arsene Wenger left Robin van Persie and England ace Theo Walcott on the bench for the trip to the Reebok Stadium. Nicklas Bendtner was handed a start to partner Emmanuel Adebayor up front and Emmanuel [.

I've thought for months about how I would write a post lauding Landon Donovan.  And I've come up with very little because, frankly, the guy leaves me speechless.  I know there are other, better, players in the world today.  There's just something about Donovan though.

Back in the day when I played club in LA I played with a gal who left me speechless as well.

I went to a hotel in downtown Los Angeles today for a press conference featuring Mexican national team coach Sven Goran Eriksson. He answered questions in English first but I didn't record those with my camera.
But I got a snippet of him, actually several snippets, answering questions in Spanish.

I think we all thought some of our young'uns might see some action.
Villareal's injuries saw Jozy dress. But he never made it off the bench.
Neither did Edu in his debut with Rangers in the Old Firm.
Kinda sad, but it won't be long.
Will it?

Argentina has a team named Colon -- stop laughing -- which has a coach named Antonio Mohamed.
He's paid about $750 in fines for smoking on the bench, but he doesn't care.
The monetary damages are worth lighting up. So the reigning body had to do something dire.

But Argentina's Football Association said Friday it won't just fine Mohamed, but will suspend him for several games the next time he smokes a cigarette on the field.

Robinho likely to be on bench for Man City against Chelsea
Robinho is facing a delayed start to his Manchester City career with manager Mark Hughes preparing to restrict the £32.5million British record signing to a place on the substitutes' bench against Chelsea on Saturday.
From Telegraph.

Now that the transfer window has well and truly closed, Goal.com will list of the final, definitive, absolute top twenty transfers of the summer. In this edition, we consider all moves officially concluded by the start of Monday, 8 September 2008...

20.

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has played down reports of a rift with Dirk Kuyt after the Liverpool forward voiced his dissatisfaction at being relegated to the bench.
Speaking to Sportweek magazine ahead of Holland's World Cup qualifier against FYR Macedonia on Wednesday, Kuyt lamented the decision of Van Marwijk to leave him on the bench for Saturday's friendly against Australia, branding it "unacceptable".

France coach Raymond Domenech has handed Arsenal left back Gael Clichy his first senior start in les Bleus' World Cup Qualifier against Serbia this evening. The 23-year-old was on the bench for Austria's 3-1 mauling of Domenech's men last Wednesday, but after Man United fullback Patrice Evra's abysmall peformance, Clichy finally gets his well deserved start.

After revealing last week that he would like to manage his beloved Liverpool one day, Jamie Carragher's bid for the Reds' bench has received backing from current incumbent Rafael Benitez.
Carragher declared last week in a newspaper interview that it is his ambition to be employed as Liverpool manager once his playing days are over.

Samir Nasri was forced to withdraw from the France squad that took on Serbia today after suffering a knee injury. It is not yet known the extent of the injury which sidelined Nasri from France's World Cup Qualifying match, though it is expected that the 21 year old will start on the bench for Arsenal's [.

We're about an hour from kick-off and Tom Soehn has named his starters for this evening's match. Most notable are Boyzzz Khumalo getting the start up top with Jaime Moreno and Quavas Kirk getting his first League start at right mid. Here's the full squad:

Louis Crayton; Bryan Namoff, Devon McTavish, Marc Burch, Gonzalo Martinez; Quavas Kirk, Clyde Simms, Santino Quaranta, Ivan Guerrero; Boyzzz Khumalo, Jaime Moreno.

Dirk Kuyt accepts he's had to fight for recognition in football. And he knows another sterling Champions League campaign will not only enhance his status at Liverpool, it will help him reclaim his place in the Holland team.
In the countdown to Tuesday's trip to Marseille Kuyt said: "Training and playing with players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres has made me much stronger.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has words of praise for midfielder Xabi Alonso for his inspired performance in the 2-1 victory over defending champions Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.
Alonso's future was surrounded by speculation all summer where the Spain international was linked with a move out of Anfield even as the 26-year-old central midfielder was away doing national duty at the successful Euro 2008 finals.

Arsenal's teenage sensation Jack Wilshire is being tracked by Italian Sports agency Pasqualin D'Amico. The 16-year-old, who became the Gunners youngest ever league debutant at the weekend after coming off the bench during the 4-0 win at Blackburn is seen as one of the hottest properties in English football at the moment.

LIVERPOOL are ready to reassure Daniel Agger his future remains at Anfield by offering the defender a new deal.
Reports in Agger's homeland have claimed the Denmark international is unhappy at the club and hinted he could buy out his contract next year.
Having missed almost the whole of last season with a metatarsal problem, the 23-year-old has been restricted to just one appearance this campaign by the form of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel and didn't even make the bench for Saturday's 2-1 win over Manchester United.

Rafael Benitez is hopeful a tactical switch off the field of play will help Liverpool generate an atmosphere to send shivers down the spines of any side visiting Anfield this season.
The Reds boss believes the introduction of the Barclays Premier League anthem has curbed the impact of the club's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and feels that asking fans to sing the famous song just prior to kick-off will help give his side a psychological edge.

Sorry for getting this out a little later today, went to the Kevin Hartman book signing in Lee's Summit tonight. Had a good time there. Anyways, the Wizards are back home at Community America Ballpark to take on the Canadians, Toronto FC. The Wizards come in off the 2-0 win over LA, while Toronto comes in off of a home draw with top of the table Columbus.

Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue have been handed starts by Arsene Wenger as the Gunners' take on Bolton later this evening. Dutch forward Robin van Persie has been dropped to the bench, while Alex Song is also replaced despite putting in a workman-like effort against Dynamo Kiev during midweek.

I don't think my article on Landon was advocating a move to Bayern Munich, but I can see where some have taken it that way.
Here's what one reader had to say:
With all due respect I don't think Landon Donovan would even make the Bayern Munich matchday party more than 12 or 15 times in a season.

Ronaldo won and converted a disputed penalty on 60 minutes to score his first league goal of the season, before Rooney arrived from the substitutes' bench to seal victory with an exquisite finish late on. The result represented only United's second win in five Premier League matches, and the first time Sir Alex Ferguson's team have [.

RAFAEL BENITEZ has assured Jermaine Pennant he won't freeze him out at Liverpool.
The Anfield manager was prepared to let the winger leave the club during the recent transfer window.
Pennant had talks with both Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers but ultimately declined the advances of both clubs.