One-time Real Salt Lake striker Yura Movsisyan squashed any chance to suit up for the U.S. national team after he played for Armenia in a 1-0 loss to Ireland on Friday.

While Yura was born in Armenia, he had a green card that potentially made him eligible for U.S. citizenship. The 23 year-old hit-man played in Armenia's exhibition match against Iran last month.

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Last week we showed you the original cage advert by Nike. Well they brilliantly followed that up with a rematch back in the ship, but this time as Cantona wonderfully says, "first to 100 wins"...

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"Who is on fire, Henry is on fire" and Roberto Carlos' face on 55 seconds make this advert brilliant.

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England are yet to have their post World Cup watershed moment France have installed a new coach (albeit an appointment that was arranged during the tournament) and held crisis talks, Brazil too have a new manager, Italy have done the same and even brought back Antonio Cassano. England have changed little.

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Looks like this time the buzz surrounding Brazilian teen Neymar was for a bit more embarrassing reason than usually. In his most recent match playing for Santos of Brazil, Neymar took off on another step-over filled run when an evil defender decided enough was enough and tackled his shorts off. Well, in reality it does [. Click to continue reading...

Union/MLS

The Philadelphia Daily News' Kerith Gabriel questions Philadelphia Union's youth movement, and it's pretty clear he falls into the "win now" camp. Yeah, you and a lot of others, but not me. Come see me in 2011 or 2012 when Union Jack's the most exciting player in the league, and then we'll talk about that 20-20 hindsight thing.

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The international break is boring the hell out of me, since the only Barca 'news' anyone can come up with is the Pep/Mourinho handshake controversy at the UEFA Elite Coaches Forum. Apparently Marca think that Pep was a bit slow to take Mourinho's hand, and made it their front page story - in other words, they need to get a life. Click to continue reading...

Lucas Leiva

Club president, Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, has admitted that Santos tried to sign Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva during the transfer window. Ribeiro said that Santos had been in talks with the English Premier League side but that Liverpool coach Roy Hodgson had decided to keep the player.

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As evidenced by the aerodynamic qualities of his glistening dome and breaking land-speed records with every third free kick, Roberto Carlos is a very, very scientific man.

He's also inspired scientists, particularly that free kick back in 97 you don't need to hit play to know the one I'm referring to to determine whether he "defied physics" or if he's not of this world.

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Spotted at Fashion Beast

Corinthians celebrates the century mark as of September 1st, 2010. As one of Brazil's most storied teams, the club boasts over 30 million fans, a legion that trumps the likes of many well-established footballing countries. THIS VIDEO IS SICK!

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Today Sport Club Corinthians, one of the most popular teams in Brazil (falling short only behind Flamengo), turns 100 years old.

It is great to celebrate a century of a team so important and so proud to so many hearts (mine included). The team we love so much was born September 1st, 1910 by a group of workers from Bom Retiro (a São Paulo neighborhood).

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Expectations have risen around US Soccer after a successful World Cup campaign this past summer, and as we head towards a cycle for the 2014 World Cup, the hiring of Bob Bradley shows a commitment towards moving our team towards a standard that includes contention for a round of 16 berth.
George Vecsey of the New York Times writes of how Bradley is the right coach for the US team, and the right move for US Soccer. Click to continue reading...

With the news confirmed yesterday that Robinho had signed for AC Milan from Manchester City for a reported £22m it had me thinking to myself "What if he had signed for Chelsea!?".
With his time at Manchester City cut short after a move back to Brazil with Santos on loan until the end of last season, stating his desire to never return to City and now off to Milan its been a massive loss for City. Click to continue reading...

You are invited to the Los Angeles Premiere of
SXSW 2010 Official Selection and Newport Beach 2010 Award Winner

LOS ANGELES PELADA PREMIERE
with an introduction by Alexi Lalas and Q&A with the directors

Tuesday, August 31st 8pm
The Royal Theatre Laemmle
11523 Santa Monica Blvd.

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Patrice Evra tells us he trains less than everybody else. You don't really hear that often.

• Arjen Robben's the man in the middle, arriving from the right. (ESPN)
• The make-weight has left. (Sid Lowe)
• Ridding football of homophobia. (Who Ate All The Pies)
• Time to take betting advice from Thai children.

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This is Sao Paolo, Brazil during the Holland-Brazil World Cup quarterfinal in South Africa. See if you notice something missing.

Explanation after the jump.
Answer: People.

São Paulo is not only the biggest city in Latin America but is also packed with people all over: The traffic is so regular that no citizen can catch a break during daytime, not even on Sundays.

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The USSF has put to rest any uncertainty surrounding the head coaching position of the USMNT by re-upping Bob Bradley's contract for another four years.

For the record, I'm ambivalent about this decision: I love what he has done with US Soccer over the past four years, outside of a few questionable lineup decisions winning the 2007 Gold Cup, beating Spain and nearly doing the same to Brazil in the 09 Confed Cup, finishing first in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying and winning a World Cup group for the first time since 1930.

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So Bob calls and he's laughing. That was a really good post on how my new contract isn't permanent, Sigi, delusional much? Making yourself feel better much? You may as well just come to terms with the fact that I'm running things now and for the next four years, and that's how it's going to be.

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Lucas Leiva is determined to fight for his place at Liverpool following the signing of fellow midfielders Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles.
The Brazil international, who featured regularly under former manager Rafa Benitez, has seen a rise in competition at Anfield since the arrival of new boss Roy Hodgson. Click to continue reading...

It's time for another ranking and the more we do this, the more it looks the same. As mentioned nearly every week, a big reason for that is that until the domestic leagues finish the fifth matchweek, this season's numbers are being merged with last season's numbers. This stifles the movement in the rankings in the opening weeks, but it will change soon.

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It's difficult to get excited about the status quo. In this case, it's difficult to get excited about a status quo that has obvious limitations; Bob Bradley's contract extension may be the most practical decision for US Soccer, but is has a decidedly dull sheen about it. If the goal is to move the US National Team forward as quickly as possible, Bradley's track record over the past four years seems to point to a loss of focus. Click to continue reading...

If you listen carefully, you can hear soccer fans around the country emit noises ranging from expletives to guttural grunts. Bob Bradley, the man unappreciated by many and thought wrong for the job by even more, has signed a contract extension to remain the coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Click to continue reading...

In March 2003, Blatter decreed that South America's turn would come in 2014 and a few days later the South American Confederation announced that Brazil was its only candidate and although Colombia briefly broke ranks, they had no serious expectations of success.
Brazil, then, has known for over seven years that the circus would be coming to town and Fifa's official announcement in October 2007 only confirmed the obvious. Click to continue reading...

Yes, you read that headline correctly. Bob Bradley will be returning as the US national team head coach.

Bradley's new contract will take him through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. First up on his agenda is the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. A win in that tournament qualifies the US for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

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Bob Bradley has been confirmed as the US men's national team manager for the next four years, through the end of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The USSF and Bradley agreed on the new contract last night and reported the news today. I am of two minds about the decision. Strictly on the basis of his results, Bob Bradley has earned another term as the national team manager. Click to continue reading...

USA fans, coach Bob Bradley is not going anywhere.

It was announced late today by U.S. Soccer that an agreement has been reached locking in coach Bob Bradley for four more years as the national team coach. Prior to today, there was a lot of speculating going on pertaining to Bradley making a move to Europe for other coaching opportunities.

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Well that was anti-climactic. Today US Soccer announced Bob Bradley's contract has been extended four more years. Meaning, we've got him through the next World Cup. Huzzah. That's right, we've got four more years of sideline scowls and the most magnificent sweatpants collection in FIFA. I definitely agree some of his selections have been a bit suspect,

and perhaps he has a slight problem being the mastermind behind a few embarrassing terrible tactical blunders

and maybe he hasn't quite figured out it doesn't necessarily make the USA look so good to play the newbies in games against the really good national teams

(Insert picture of the 2007 Copa America roster here or whoever the crap those guys were playing against Brazil earlier this month)

But hey no matter what crazy dumb-ass thing our Bob has done over the past four years, it's kinda moot because we've got him for another four so that's four more years to make stupid mistakes and drive the USA to another World Cup of utter mediocrity OR that's four years ahead for us with an experienced leader who has worked the college and professional systems in this country so that should count for something, you know, for picking out budding talent.

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Bob Bradley, US Men's Team Head Coach

CHICAGO (Aug. 30, 2010) – U.S. Soccer has agreed to a four-year contract extension with U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley.

Bradley led the U.S. to an undefeated record in group play at the 2010 FIFA World for the first time en route to a first-place group finish for the first time in 80 years.

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US soccer and Bob Bradley agreed to a contract extension which will keep him as the head coach of US national team through qualifying and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Bradley's deal was set to expire in December, which pays him $600,000 plus bonuses.
Up next for the U.S. and Bradley is a pair of international friendlies on Oct. Click to continue reading...

United States national team coach Bob Bradley will continue to direct the US team through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after agreeing to a four year extension with US Soccer. Click to continue reading...

USMNT Head Coach Bob Bradley inks 4-year contract with USSF

US Soccer announced late this afternoon that they have extended the contract of U.S. Men's National Team head coach Bob Bradley. The agreement keeps Bradley working for the federation through the end of 2014.

While Bradley has his detractors his record speaks for itself: Bradley's has accumulated a record of 38-20-8 in his four years at the helm of the senior mens' team.

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Many thought Brazil would test Team USA ... and they certainly did just that. In a game that was close throughout, Team USA barely got past Brazil by a final score of 70-68. Leandro Barbosa missed a shot at the buzzer that would have sent the game into overtime. Team USA was led by Kevin Durant's 27 points and ten rebounds.

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Mohawks may afford the wearer world class dribbling abilities and the maturity to to turn down big money moves to Chelsea, but a mohawk alone will not keep your pants on. That's what those otherworldly things they call "drawstrings" are for.

Of course when someone goes in studs showing on your general manliness area, it's probably best there's a fabric net for safety purposes.

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You are invited to the Los Angeles Premiere of
SXSW 2010 Official Selection and Newport Beach 2010 Award Winner

LOS ANGELES PELADA PREMIERE
with an introduction by Alexi Lalas and Q&A with the directors

Tuesday, August 31st 8pm
The Royal Theatre Laemmle
11523 Santa Monica Blvd.

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So after clinching the loan signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Milan seem set to make a similar move to bring in Manchester City outcast Robinho. The Brazilian attacker doesn't want to be in England and we think the same thoughts are coming out of Eastlands!
After a successful loan stint back home with Santos it was thought that a permanent deal might be struck, but finances would be an issue back in Brazil, so the next offing could be moves to Spain or Italy where his style is more suited.

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Today US Soccer gave Bob Bradley a contract for another four years in charge of the US Men's National Team. My gut reaction is that Bradley only sees out one or two of those years. Given the odd decision making process that may or may not have involved a couple not-so-serious Sunil Gulati meetings with Jürgen Klinsmann, along with that strangely passive game against Brazil a couple weeks ago, and Bradley's flirtation with Burton Albion, the picture does not seem to be one of communal satisfaction.

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You are invited to the Los Angeles Premiere of
SXSW 2010 Official Selection and Newport Beach 2010 Award Winner

LOS ANGELES PELADA PREMIERE
with an introduction by Alexi Lalas and Q&A with the directors

Tuesday, August 31st 8pm
The Royal Theatre Laemmle
11523 Santa Monica Blvd.

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Team USA beat Slovenia on Sunday to begin their journey to World Championship gold by winning their first two games. In their 99-77 victory, Kevin Durant led the way with 22 points. Off the bench, Kevin Love chipped in with ten points and 11 rebounds.

This game wasn't as easy as the final score indicates.

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The Benny Feilhaber question is a common one these days for American players abroad. What do you do when you seem to be in serious limbo? Being without a club is not a comfortable situation especially when the transfer window is closing in just a few short days.

Feilhaber's purgatory may not last much longer, however, at least according to his agent.

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You are invited to the Los Angeles Premiere of
SXSW 2010 Official Selection and Newport Beach 2010 Award Winner

LOS ANGELES PELADA PREMIERE
with an introduction by Alexi Lalas and Q&A with the directors

Tuesday, August 31st 8pm
The Royal Theatre Laemmle
11523 Santa Monica Blvd.

Click to continue reading...

This could turn out to be in that "worst kept secret" department before long. We all know the story four years ago when the US Soccer Federation dumped coach Bruce Arena after the 2006 World Cup in hopes to land a certain German legend that just guided his country deep into the tournament that year.

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