Tim Howard got back to the team hotel after the big win over Algeria, turned on a television and saw David Wright. Then he noticed what the New York Mets third baseman was wearing.

With several League teams out of action for exhibition and SuperLiga competition, five games were on the schedule. Columbus overcame a midweek upset by adding points to the top of the table at the direct expense of New York. Meanwhile, at Pizza Hut Park, Dallas got a big win over Real Salt Lake and DC United honored one of the best players in Major League Soccer's history by adding Eddie Pope to their Hall of.

Thursday night, Thad and I got together to record a new edition of From the Byline to the Back Post. This time we divided it up into 3 parts for recording, but it is now up for you to download and listen to. In the first part, Thad and I discuss current league wide news, mainly the new designated player rule and the horrible mistake that is MLSsoccer.

-------------------Aw crap, The Reds are already behind

TORONTO FC (15th) VS. PHILADELPHIA UNION (10th)
　
BMO Field - Thursday 7:00PM EST
TV: GOL-TV
　
New! New! New! Yes, the N-word is the buzz around BMO Field as Toronto FC hosts MLS debutantes Philadelphia Union in the club's fourth home opener.

Determined and disciplined West Ham. Inspired Robert Green. Atrocious refereeing. Lacklustre Arsenal. 0-0, game heading towards a lame draw.

Arsenal hit the turbo boost in the final stretch. 1-0, 3 points on the table. Good enough.

I know many fans expected a big win in this game. A run of good results can have that effect as it raises expectations.

Another big win for Everton, who shocked Premier League leaders Chelsea 2-1 at Goodison Park. Landon Donovan was a big part of the offense, setting up Luis Saha's 33rd-minute equalizer from a corner kick and drawing a penalty that Saha failed to convert. Saha would net the winner in the 75th-minute. Tim Howard had two saves.

On a Saturday when Edson Buddle was scoring for the United States in South Africa alongside Landon Donovan, their Galaxy teammates were once again playing like the best team in Major League Soccer. Seattle also got a big win over New England. Toronto 0 - Kansas City 0 Toronto and the Wizards traded red cards, but neither of them could pick up a goal at BMO Field.

With a few blogs dropping out of The Sun's World Cup competition, RoM has been given Korea Republic and Honduras to support. Park is already through to the next round and will face Uruguay, whilst Honduras are currently bottom of their group. If Chile beat Spain then a big win against Switzerland could see them go through.

These are the articles I like to write the most. Just before a game the expectation is high and there is an uneasy feeling in the stomach. The mind runs amok with dream scenarios and nightmarish ones. That's the beauty of this sport, isn't it? One moment of magic or of madness can make it or break it.

Hector Cuper's squad follow up their big win on Sunday in the Thessaloniki derby with an even bigger first leg Greek Cup clash on Wednesday afternoon at Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium.

Via Shawn Mitchell, Mike Malo joins the Crew front office after 10 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks and 4 with the Philadelphia Eagles as Director of Marketing.
Malo is a central Ohio native, which probably played a role in his returning to Columbus.
This could be a very big win for Columbus.

USMNT Fans Cheer Their Team On To A Memorable Comeback Against Slovenia.

Many football fans around the world, when they think of football, do not immediately associate it with USA. The game just doesn't seem to fit in with American sports. American football, basketball, hockey: superhuman men playing at a level that is untouchable to us mere humans.

Apparently this bloke is better suited for the likes of Real Madrid...sure mate.

Saturday 18th Sept.

Aston Villa v Bolton The Villa players will want to impress Gérard Houllier before he takes charge next week, whereas Bolton are without key player Cahill.

The United States Women opened Algarve play with a big win over Iceland made possible by a strong performance from goalkeeper Hope Solo. She saved two penalties in the 2-0 win. An Iceland own-goal opened the scoring in the 60th-minute, with Lauren Cheney making it 2-0 a minute later. "It's really funny, because Abby and I sat at breakfast for about an hour this morning talking about penalty kick strategy and what I like and.

The 2010 Major League Soccer season will begin on time after the league and its players union agreed to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement on Saturday. The sides agreed to a new five-year deal.

The highlights of the deals are guaranteed contracts, improved freedom of movement by players out of contract (not quite free agency) and improved compensation for players.

As the Chelsea versus Manchester United game approaches, the office banter reminds me how many fans come out of the woodwork around the time of the big matches regardless of the team they follow.

For many fans defeat will be more painful on the Monday, than on the Saturday

Beating a rival or top club is about more than league position to most, whenever two teams that have support in the office clash the build up is always intense and highly amusing.

The Portland Timbers first team will begin U.S. Open Cup play this month, adding at least one additional match and possibly two more to an already busy June schedule. This stretch will test the depth of a team that is already dealing with a few injury issues, but playing well in all competitions will help build momentum for later this season, especially after their big win against Boca Juniors.

Algeria tie vs. England was perceived as a big win for Algerian team, especially after a very difficult preparation period they went through for the World Cup. Most people were doubting Algeria...
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Good Morning! The Red Bulls are back in action @The Cathedral of Football. This time, it's the San Jose Earthquakes making their first visit here and sporting a brand new DP no less. The Earthquakes are coming off a big 1-0 win against their bitter Southern California rivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Eto'o Bags A Hat-Trick As Inter Thump Werder Bremen.

Schalke were under pressure to find three points at home against Benfica, after losing their opening Champions League match by a score of one goal to nil away to Lyon. Werder Bremen, on the other hand, came back in their opening match after being two-nil down to grab a deserved point.

Michael Bradley's Evil Twin: Michael Frontzeck.

While Tuesday's matches featured quite a few David vs. Goliath no-contests, Wednesday's games promise to be a lot more competitive. The second round pits quite a few Bundesliga teams against eachother, and none of them want to be the amongst the first sides knocked out.

Gomez Dominates Cluj With Brilliant Hat-Trick.

Bayern Munich have successfully broken their record for their best European start of all time, and have also secured qualification into the round of sixteen, despite having two fixtures left to play in the group stage.

Mario Gomez led the line for Die Roten tonight against Cluj, and made a massive impact for the Bavarian outfit who have been depleted in terms of attacking options with Ivica Olic ruled out for six months.

It is finally here, the game we've all been waiting for since March. The 2010 MLS Cup is here and honestly I couldn't be any more excited for this one (yes having my local side being in it helps). Having two clubs in this game that have yet to win a MLS Cup is pretty cool to see as well. They out lasted everyone this season to get to this point.

Despite their recent poor form Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti looks set to rest some of his underperforming players for their Champions League Group F clash with MSK Zilna.
With four wins from four the Blues are certain of qualification and a point tonight against their Slovakian opponents will secure top spot.

Nothing like a date with the champs to stop the upstart Gunners in their path. Wayne Rooney, shrugged off being sued, to score his 100th Premiership goal in a 3-1 rout of Arsenal over the weekend.
I didn't catch the 3-D broadcast, did any of you?
Arsenal will having a chance for a big win in not too long by taking on Chelsea next Sunday.

Arlo White has just signed on to be the Seattle Sounders announcer. For those of you who don't know, Arlo is a top British footy commentator. It's a big win for MLS but will Americans take to a Brit. The accent and his style of talk might put off some, so it will be interesting to see how this will progress.

First Star: Tim Howard and Landon Donovan were in the eleven for another big win for Everton, knocking off Manchester United 3-1 at Goodison Park. United took an early lead when Dimitar Berbatov scored in the 16th. Everton got that goal back within three minutes and scored again in the 76th and 90th.

This season the fixture computer hasn't really been kind to us. Well, it rarely is but I feel this Burnley game comes at just the right time. The Ramsey incident has galvanized the squad and support alike and a big win can give us the necessary momentum for the title challenge.

The point is not to take Burnley lightly.

Arsenal emerged from last night's Nou Camp encounter looking more bruised than John Ruiz after his David Haye battering. Barcelona, powered by the seemingly unstoppable Messi, swept the north Londoners aside to make a mockery of Arsenal's pre-match hopes.
From half time onwards, we have all been subjected to an unending Barcelona and Messi love-in on the television and in the newspapers.

There's plenty of other news to talk about with the Timbers besides their big win in Seattle this week. The team continues to sign more players to fortify their 2010 roster, while the business sides of USSF Division 2 and MLS make headlines with some management decisions.

Ranking

Team

Notes

1

Columbus

Two-time defending Supporter Shield winners outclass Canadians with Schelloto picking up where he left off with goal and assist.

Anyone wanting to understand why Chelsea have lost games this season need only watch the team's limp display against Spurs on Saturday. This was the wrong kind of carefree.
This was not the performance of champions. Giving a display that, in the first half especially was entirely devoid of energy, dynamism movement and pressing, I was reminded of the tame efforts away to Aston Villa and at home to Inter earlier in the season.

Anyone wanting to understand why Chelsea have lost games this season need only watch the team's limp display against Spurs on Saturday. This was the wrong kind of carefree.
This was not the performance of champions. Giving a display that, in the first half especially was entirely devoid of energy, dynamism movement and pressing, I was reminded of the tame efforts away to Aston Villa and at home to Inter earlier in the season.

The 7th Annual West Plains Lady Zizzer Soccer classic will be held April 23-24, 2010 at the WPHS Soccer and Football Fields. The Tournament will feature 10 Teams from Missouri and Arkansas including:

Notre Dame High School from St. Louis who finished in 4th Place in the Class 2 State Tournament last year.

The 7th Annual West Plains Lady Zizzer Soccer classic will be held April 23-24, 2010 at the WPHS Soccer and Football Fields. The Tournament will feature 10 Teams from Missouri and Arkansas including:

Notre Dame High School from St. Louis who finished in 4th Place in the Class 2 State Tournament last year.

Part II, comin' at ya!:

1. The Domestic Cups We didn't win either one of them. And we didn't come particularly close. But considering the circumstances, I don't think we can actually be too disappointed.

In the Carling Cup, we just have to face up to the fact that that's not a competition we even try to win any more.

The Rapids pulled out a big win on Saturday night, beating the second best team in the league while down a man. Drew Moor had the game winner int he last 10 minutes after a contentious second half led to a red card for Pablo Mastroeni,
I don't have much to say about the first half. Unfortunately my office texted me with a website issue right as the game started and I spent a good chunk of the first half texting people about it, in between watching snippets of the game.

World cup legends take on big time minnows in Johannesburg encounter.

Bet £5 on Torres to be WC Top Goalscorer at 12/1 with Ladbrokes and get £25 worth of free bets!>

Win the Club Shirt Of Your Choice Simply by Speaking Your Mind!

Brazil coach Dunga has a fully-fit squad to choose from after Julio Cesar overcame the back injury he sustained in a warm-up match with Zimbabwe.

Group A was decided today. I try to unravel the action in two halves, highlighting the differences in attitude and excitement in both Uruguay-Mexico and France-South Africa.
La Celeste and El Tri need a draw for both to progress. France need a big win and hope that Uruguay win by two goals.

Here's another great photo sent along by HollyCornblog ... imagine it gracing your notecard collection!

Who would you send this beauty to? Or maybe you'd want to just frame it and keep it for yourself!

(Can you tell that I am working on honing my marketing skills?)

On the soccer front (not that I've exhausted the above topic, mind you) Les Bleus are gone (mercifully, it would seem) and the US Men need a big win!