Words never seen before, possibly never to be seen again: a player was sent off for protesting his own won penalty.

Granted, it was in the Norwegian fifth division, where things like glory, acclaim and riches take the backseat of a bicycle to a nice postgame nap. Frankly, the Norwegian fifth could be equal to walking down to the closest green patch of your urban space.

If there's something that's become clear it's that the Seattle Sounders FC can use this bye week to get closer to full health. When the week is done the schedule gets three games in quickly, so the recently tested depth will still be important. While a handful of players are out for an extended period of time, some are likely to make at least partial returns from the injury report shortly.

With the #GrowTheGame San Diego Pilot fast approaching, Soccer Support will be previewing each of the five major events being held across the city on Saturday 14 & Sunday April 15.

Our final #GrowTheGame event previews are those of the Pick-Up Beach Soccer & Soccer viewing parties at our fantastic supporters down at Slaters 50/50.

Cute Ryo. Adorkable through and through. Isn't he? Image: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images.

You're already familiar with the "sculpted by angels" loveliness that is (on-loan from Arsenal) midfielder Ryo Miyachi. According to you lot, he's variously "beautiful", "handsome", "so pretty he could be a girl" and "looks like he's made of wax".

I'm 42, play soccer against guys (and sometimes a couple of gals) in their 20's every week, bicycle everywhere for transport and breakdance some nearly everyday. So you know I love me some yoga.Apparently, so does Klinsi, because the USMNT are now hitting their cobras as part of recovery and preventative medicine.

Last week witnessed two amazing goals from Saudi clubs. The first was from Al-Ittifaq vs. Al-Ahli in what we can say as an Olympic league (under 23 years old)
The second goal was from Emad Al-Hosani from Al-Ahli vs. Al-Ansaar
Emad is Oman national team star, and he is famous by his bicycle kicks, watch these ones when he was playing at Al-Rayyan from Qatar:
and this one with Omani national team vs.

Remember that perverse, pervasive sense of impending doom that followed the club around throughout 2009-10? Not the dreadful, soul-killing horribleness that was the Hodgson era, but the perpetual Sword of Damocles which hung over Benitez's final campaign, where we fearfully waited to see what could go wrong next.

A very negative team and performance from Villa resulted in a very comfortable performance from Spurs and a score line that flattered Villa. David Cameron had braved the Tottenham wastelands to sit in the stands and watch his lot get outplayed. No doubt getting tips from Spurs on how to control the right and left wings.

"I started football really late, at about 15 or 16. I represented my county and my school at athletics and it was exciting but I wasn't too sure which event I really liked. I was good at field events like long jump and triple jump and it was exciting times.

This (from the offal) is interesting to me.

We'll never come whack on an old school track...Let's begin with the MLS Goal of the Week nominees. I gotta go Cruz control on this one, folks.Real Zaragoza's Helder Postiga builds one bitchingly fast bicycle.Look for how high above frame this looong free kick from Slovenia's Dare Vršič is as it passes the spot and how quickly it falls off the table.

I must say (and, to reiterate from last week, I feel like I haven't much to say anymore these days) that I believe this was one of the better games we've played-at least in quite a while. The midfield looked calm and collected, we held possession pretty much throughout, and in general we looked to have a lot of spark and finesse.

In these harsh economic times it's worthwhile considering every possible outlet when it comes to cost cutting and sport can lend a hand. Go for a run instead of going to the gym, playing football in the park rather than paying pitch fees or cycling to work instead of driving.
The latter mentioned is perhaps the most commonly taken option when it comes to cutting costs and through a bit of exercise in there for good measure.

Probably the prettiest goal of the weekend took place in Bundesliga on Saturday when Eren Derdiyok scored the game winner for Leverkusen over Wolfsburg with the beautiful bicycle kick depicted in the video below. The 23 year old Swiss national's goal proved to be the game winner, giving Leverkusen a 2-1 lead in the middle of the second half.

Man, the past week or so has been quite kind to the Red Bulls. After Irene washed away any hopes of the Galaxy match being played, New York saw their playoff position actually improve despite not playing a single match since August 20th. As of now, New York owns the 10th and final playoff spot, sitting behind Columbus, SKC, Houston, and Philly in the East.

Emmanuel Frimpong is quoted as saying in regard to his international future: "If Ghana call me, I will ride my own bicycle from England to Ghana." And now it seems the young Arsenal midfielder has made his decision and has has chosen Ghana over the Three Lions.

Jamie Jackson at the Guardian is reporting that Frimpong made up his mind after meeting Kwesi Nyantakyi, the Ghana Football Association president, at a London hotel following the Black Stars' 1-0 friendly defeat to Brazil at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night.

I've talked to Gertjan Verbeek. He can be an intense dude. And now he's mad at Klinsi for dragging Jozy Altidore to L.A. and back. Of course, I questioned the logic of scheduling friendlies a half a world and four days apart, but it seems a bit much for the respectable AZ coach to take to the media mic in this manner.

As someone who knew Luis when he was very overweight, I've seen first hand his transformation and have gotten occasional glimpses into the effort losing so many pounds entailed. Of course, that doesn't mean I have a true inkling of how much blood, sweat and tears all of it took. I'm still working on my first marathon (hopefully in Luis' pace group) scheduled for next year.

As someone who knew Luis when he was very overweight, I've seen first hand his transformation and have gotten occasional glimpses into the effort losing so many pounds entailed. Of course, that doesn't mean I have a true inkling of how much blood, sweat and tears all of it took. I'm still working on my first marathon (hopefully in Luis' pace group) scheduled for next year.

Last night in the semifinals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, Mexico gave notice and fired a figurative shot across Soccer House's bow when Julio Gomez, head wrapped in gauze, scored the goal that gave Mexico the 3-2 win over Germany with the lovely bicycle kick shown in the video below.
The young German squad, which had knocked out the United States in a 4-0 victory during the Round of 16, took an early 2-1 lead, but then, in the 75th minute, Jorge Espericueta picked up the equalizer on an improbable corner kick (you can watch it in the second video below).

Talk surfaced the other day about possible ongoing negitiations between the FAs of Singapore and Malaysia. At the heart is the idea they send their young teams to play in the others' league. So Young Lions in Malaysia, Super League or Premier League, while Harimau Muda play in the SLeague.
I did a piece in Jakarta Casual TV a couple of years ago about the benefits of the Young Lions playing in Malaysia.

Who says bicycle kicks are just for offense?

The New York Red Bulls' Teemu Tainio opted to use one on defense against the Portland Timbers last weekend, which not only saved a goal, but earned him the MLS Save of the Week honors for Week 14.
Read More

Damn you, YouTube users. We can't embed some of these. 1. Rivaldo's overhead kick (1998) The highlight of two pulsating group stage 3-3 draws between the two sides in 1998. The Brazilian controls a Sergi cross on his chest before pulling off an incredible bicycle kick. Watch it. 2. Hristo Stoichkov and co.

The time has come again for In The Stands to once again reveal the cream of this month's goals with May's winner coming from a low-key second division Greek championship match.

Step forward Dimitrus Sialmas whose perfectly executed bicycle-kick, suitably preluded by an amazing piece of skill by team-mate Manwlis Skoufalis, wowed the small crowd during PAS Giannina second division match against Ethnikos Asteras in early May.

PARIS, France — Lille claimed their first French league title since 1954 despite being held to a 2-2 draw at French Cup final victims Paris Saint-Germain in a heated encounter here on Saturday. Victors over PSG in last weekend's cup showdown, Lille required just a point to complete the second league and cup double in [.

Damn, gotta give credit where credit is due... Thanks to Who Ate All the Pies for finding this gem.That's Greek D2 side PAS Giannina with the rabona to the bicycle goal... Damn.Video: 101GreatGoals
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Manchester United qualified to the CL QF with two wonderful goals, that might not take a lot of attention as a superior goal, no stunning shot, amazing solo, or unforgettable bicycle kick. Yet, as said: the most difficult part of the game, is when you do the most difficult moves and let them appear as simple as "drinking water".

Wilks also writes on Futbolr.com on Sir Alex Ferguson's reliance on Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes may be the downfall of Manchester United's season.
Sir Alex Ferguson went with his old reliable senior citizens in the match against Liverpool. He started Scholes, Giggs, and the younger crowd of Berbatov and Rooney.

MANCHESTER, England - Wayne Rooney said it was the best goal he had ever scored, and Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson called it the greatest strike he had seen in 25 years at Old Trafford. The opposing goalkeeper did not even budge. Rooney put a troubled season behind him Saturday as his spectacular bicycle kick [.

I just got a look at a few of the highlights from last night's match, and my first reaction was, "Damn, we have the best back up keeper in the league." Greg Sutton was playing out of his mind in the second half making some huge saves including a double save of a close shot and the impending bicycle kick.

Diego Maradona and Carlos Valderrama stole the show during an indoor game between former stars from Argentina and Colombia. Maradona was good for a goal and two assists. Valderrama, still holding his great head of hair, provided the assist for the great bicycle kick of Aristazabal and scored as well.