For 42 minutes it was all looking so good for the first Englishman to lead a team into the Champions League since Sir Bobby Robson eight years ago. Indeed it was all looking ‘triffic'.

Then Assou-Ekotto sliced a ball wildly and needlessly out for a throw on before deciding that, actually, he didn't fancy getting too close to the Bremen striker who had got between King and Cudacinni and duly put the ball into the back of the net.

USA's First-Choice 'Keeper to be Out Five-Six Months

CHICAGO (Sept. 17, 2010) U.S. Women's National Team goalkeeper Hope Solo will undergo surgery on Wednesday, Sept. 22, on her right shoulder. Renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews will perform the procedure in Birmingham, Ala.

The world's sexiest goal keeper is set to miss 5 to 6 months of football action due to a nagging shoulder injury, but Hope Solo is expected to return in plenty of time for the 2011 World Cup in June. Of course due to Solo going under the knife sometime in the next week that means the team will have to qualify without their star keeper this upcoming year, but if Solo were to have the surgery sometime this week or next, she would be expected to return to action by the end of March at the latest.

By Ollie Irish

Routinely included on 'Ugliest Footballers' lists, Trifon 'The Wolfman' Ivanov also played ugly. If Trifon didn't intimidate opponents with his wild looks and intense stare, he would simply hack them down.

It would be harsh on Ivanov to remember him only as a hatchet man he possessed a fine pair of shooting boots too, and could play a bit, as 77 caps for Bulgaria attest, not to mention this fine strike against Wales:

So, foot like a traction engine and, er, a face like a traction engine too.

Scotland midfielder and talisman Darren Fletcher has rallied the troops by declaring that the Scots need to pick up all three points today against Liechtenstein. Scotland's Euro 2012 qualifying group is intimidating on paper, with matches against Spain and the Czech Republic forthcoming.

"With respect for qualifying for Euros, then there can be no slip-ups," Fletcher told Sky Sports.

Long time U.S. national team midfielder Eddie Lewis has announced that the 2010 MLS Season will be his last as a professional. The 36-year-old earned 82 caps with the U.S. National Team, scoring 10 goals and adding 16 assists. A two-time World Cup veteran, his most famous moment came when he delivered a perfectly placed cross onto the head of Landon Donovan that resulted in the insurance goal of the USA's 2-0 victory against Mexico in the Round of 16 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, helping the U.

Today on Twitter I asked who fans thought was the most capped player while a member of the Kansas City Wizards. It's time to find out who actually is the most capped Wizards player. Since I posted a list of capped Wizards, I've been doing some research on the most capped players while members of the Wizards.

By Clemente Lisi - NEW YORK, NY (Sep 23, 2010) US Soccer Players -- Alejandro Bedoya is living a dream. In a span of just a few years, the 23-year-old Bedoya has gone from being a college standout to playing club soccer in Europe, to training with the US National Team. Bedoya, a New Jersey native who was raised in Miami, has earned four caps for the National Team over the past year – marking.

By Eric Beard

Despite what the tabloids may tell you, Roberto Di Matteo is the manager for West Bromwich Albion. However, he isn't all that different from Man City manager Roberto Mancini. Both played for Italy (Di Matteo: 44 caps. Mancini: 36). Both played for Lazio for a solid three seasons.

Emiliano Insua has left Liverpool for Turkish giants Galatasaray on a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent.
The 21-year-old full-back has been at Liverpool for the past four years, having joined as a youngster from Boca Juniors.
However, he struggled to break into the side and recent signing of Paul Konchesky by the Anfield club put another hurdle in his path.

On this day, September 2nd, William "Bill" Shankly was born 98 years ago. He passed away on September 29th, 1981, but not before giving a life of service to the club he loved: Liverpool FC. After a playing career at Preston North End and earning 5 caps with Scotland, Shankly managed at Anfield from 1959 to 1974.

Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride will retire at the end of the 2010 season, he announced on Friday. McBride has been a member of the Fire since the 2008 season, joining them after four seasons with Fulham in the English Premier League. The 38-year-old retired from the United States National Team following the 2006 World Cup.

Lindsay Tarpley (Madison) is back in form, and now she's back in camp with the U.S. women's national team.

The Boston Breakers forward is one of 30 players named by coach Pia Sundhage to the preliminary roster for two friendlies against China early next month.

Michael Owen has revealed that he still has hopes of wearing an England shirt again.

The Manchester United striker has not featured for Fabio Capellos's England for over two years, and has seemingly falled behind Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent in the pecking order.

The clinical striker has 89 caps for the national team and is hoping to add to that number, despite Capello's current stance of bringing in new players.

Liverpool target Artem Milevskiy has signed a three-year contract extension with Dinamo Kiev - but has a release clause of just under £10m written into the deal.
Roy Hodgson was reportedly keen on the Ukranian striker in the summer, only for the 25-year-old to commit his immediate future to Kiev.

Eintract Frankfurt and Greece international striker Theofanis Gekashas has announced his international retirement. The news came from his blog today in which attributed to "special circumstances" (Full story from FIFA). Gekas has player for Greece since 2005 scoring 20 goals in 49 caps.

To add a bit of analysis, I think [read more]

Oft-injured midfielder Colin Clark was traded to Houston for Brian Mullan on Wednesday, just ahead of the MLS roster freeze.

Along with Mullan, the Rapids receive Houston's natural fourth round 2013 MLS SuperDraft pick. The Dynamo picked up a midfielder recovering from a second torn ACL in two years, and allocation money.

Germany national team coach Joachim Low has suggested that Borusia Dortmund's 18 year-old Mario Gotze may very well see some international play sooner than later.

The young attacking midfielder competed for the U-21 Germany national squad, and has already kicked this season off as Low was hoping he would.

Carli Lloyd could play her first WNT match since the end of March as she has recovered from an ankle injury

With Hope Solo undergoing shoulder surgery next week, the preliminary roster for the U.S. WNT matches against China on Oct. 2 in Kennesaw, Ga., and Oct. 6 in Chester, Pa.is down to 29 players.

Sunderland hit-man Darren Bent is taking advice from Premier League living legend Andrew Cole.

It came as a surprise to many that despite his 25 goals last season, Bent missed out on the opportunity to represent England in the 2010 World Cup. Let's be honest though... England could have used some goal scoring this past World Cup tournament.

Dual Nationality XI A tale of two countries is a post from: Just Football

New Contributors Week continues now with a post from Ryan Keaney, of the football blog Rambling without a cause. When whispers emerged that Mikel Arteta might play for England everbody laughed, then thought "Hmmm.

Portugal have named Paulo Bento the new National side head coach as the former Sporting head man takes the helms and looks to direct the squad to Euro 2012 after a dismal start. Paulo Bento is rumoured to be signed to a contract that will pay him $720,000 Euros per year.We take a look at the former Portugal player's (35 Caps) managerial career.

More photos » Otto Greule Jr - Getty Images

Terry Boss was called up to the Puerto Rico National Team.

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The Sounders will be without the services of backup goalkeeper Terry Boss when the team takes on Toronto FC Saturday.