The Chicago Fire put their undefeated preseason streak to the test when they take on Chivas USA today at 2:00 PM CST. Live audio of the game will be available with Fire Communications Manager Brendan Hannan and Team Writer Jeff Crandall teaming up on the play-by-play. Per Crandall, this will be the 4th time the combo has called a game.

News today that 19 year-old Newcastle central midfielder Haris Vuckic will be joining Cardiff City on an initial one month loan deal tomorrow. 6'3″ Haris Vuckic in action against West Brom earlier this season Haris is one of Newcastle's brightest young talents, and he joined the club in January of 2009, and has made 12 appearances so [.

by Adam Bate

What a return it has been for Kenny Dalglish. Only Cardiff City now stand in the way of Liverpool lifting the Carling Cup at Wembley later this month and thus securing the club's first trophy in six years. King Kenny has brought the buzz back to the city. And thankfully, whatever the dramas off the field, everyone at Anfield appears to be pulling in the same direction once again.

Jonathan Moss, as regular readers will understand, is a Premier League Select Group referee, one of nineteen referees who are allowed to officiate in EPL games.
John Colquhoun is a friend of Jonathan Moss of 20 years standing and, as regular readers will understand, is West Bromwich Albion club agent, Key Sports Management joint-owner, tv presenter, journalist, professional gambler and ambassador for the Scottish tourism industry.

Chasing The Big Leagues Southampton and the challengers (English Championship) is a post from: Just Football

Tales from Tier Two is a series on Just Football in partnership with @tiertwofooty, in which we assess the promotion chances of the clubs in tier two of Europe's major leagues at the midway point of 2011/12.

Is it allowable under FA rules for someone to manage the England team from Ford Open Prison?
The HMR&C campaign against different aspects of football fraud, tax avoidance, money laundering and, soon, illegal insider betting activity is parallelling along on numerous fronts - Harry Redknapp and Milan Mandaric, Rangers FC, Portsmouth FC, and other potential routes of investigation still to be unearthed via Quest and the News of the World scandals etc etc.

Cardiff City keeper Tom Heaton was the hero for the Bluebirds as they edged out Crystal Palace in an absorbing cup clash at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Heaton saved two penalties in the shoot-out to send Cardiff to the Carling Cup Final at the expense of Dougie Freedman's spirited Palace side.

Bolton Wanderers have entered the market for Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha. Wilfried Zaha Newcastle back in for youngster Newcastle had held talks with the Crystal Palace Chairmen Martin Long and Steve Parish earlier in the week, after Palace were eliminated from the Carling Cup by Cardiff City.

By Chris Wright

What with Liverpool set for their first visit to 'Anfield South' in 16 years by way of their Carling Cup semi-final win over Manchester City last night, we though we'd revisit the last time the club earned themselves a day out at Wembley, i.e, the 1996 FA Cup Final against Manchester United.

Video: Carling Cup: Liverpool/Man City

Kenny Dalglish feeling the heat after a series of underwhelming displays by Liverpool in the Premiership was able to get a satisfying consolation in today's Carling Cup match pipping City to the Wembley finals.

Nigel De Jong gave City the lead to level the aggregate.

Liverpool will meeting Cardiff City in the final of the 2012 Carling Cup after tying Manchester City 2-2 at Anfield on Wednesday night. The result sees Kenny Dalglish's team win...

By Alan Duffy

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City (Aggregate 3-2) Carling Cup Semi-final 25th January 2012

Liverpool came from behind twice against Manchester City at Anfield to secure a place in the final of the Carling Cup, and their first appearance at Wembley in 16 years.

Manchester City's month of January continued to drop like a lead balloon. Craig Bellamy stuffed home the decisive goal at Anfield with just over 15 minutes remaining, and Liverpool set up a Wembley date with Cardiff City in the Carling ...
This is a content summary. Visit http://www.epltalk.

Domestic cup competitions in Europe typically feature David vs. Goliath stories, but Wednesday, it's all about the big boys.

Liverpool carries its 1-0 edge over Manchester City in the Carling Cup semifinals into the second leg at Anfield, where the Reds will try and hold on and advance to next month's title game against surprise finalist Cardiff City.

Newcastle are in negotiation with Wilfried Zaha's representatives to bring the lad to Newcastle. Wilfried Zaha could be arriving at Newcastle With Crystal Palace having been eliminated last night from the Carling Cup at the semi-final stage by Cardiff City, the way is now clear for Palace to let their top 19 year-old move on.

Cardiff City, the team from the Welsh capital, are heading to the Carling Cup final. The team defeated Crystal Palace in the first completed Carling Cup semi final. They will now play the winner of the Liverpool vs Manchester City tie which will be completed on Wednesday evening at Anfield.

Cardiff vs Crystal Palace 1-0 Carling Cup 2012 Highlights Video Gardner own goal McCarthy red card Penalty Shoot out is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Cardiff vs Crystal Palace 1-0 Carling Cup 2012 Highlights Video Gardner own goal McCarthy red card Penalty Shoot out is a post from Soccer Blogger.

Chivas USA is the latest MLS club to join the trend of signing Colombian central defenders.

Following in the recent footsteps of the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas, the Goats announced the signing of veteran Colombian centerback John Alexander Valencia on Tuesday, adding the 30-year-old, 6-foot-4 defender to the club.

Cardiff City beat Crystal Palace tonight in the Carling Cup semi-final when they won 3-1 on penalties. Wilfried Zaha top young youngster That was after the score was 1-0 to Cardiff after 90 minutes and after extra time, and on display for Palace were at least players Newcastle have been interested in right back Nathaniel Clyne and winger/striker Wilfried [.

Cardiff City - Crystal Palace 2:30pm - Fox Soccer Plus Palace leads this Carling Cup semifinal series 1-0, with the winner advancing to play the winner of the Manchester City - Liverpool series. So it's Championship versus Premier League in the final, regardless of who wins. Palace are coming off a 2-1 loss to Blackpool on Saturday, while Cardiff City beat Portsmouth 3-2.

P TIMES PG 1 West Ham United 54 2 Southampton 50 3 Cardiff City 50 4 Middlesbrough 45 5 Hull City 43 6 Blackpool 42 7 Reading 42 8 Leeds United 42 9 Brighton & Hove Albion 41 10 Derby County 41 11 Birmingham City 40 12 Burnley 40 13 Crystal Palace 37 14 Barnsley 36 15 Leicester City 35 16 Portsmouth 32 17 Peterborough United 31 18 Watford 30 19 Bristol City 30 20 Millwall 29 21 Ipswich Town 26 22 Nottingham Forest 24 23 Doncaster Rovers 23 24 Coventry City 22

By Chris Wright

After being genuinely taken aback by some stunning 'Pablo Zabaleta's year of birth'-related trivia in the pub last night (more on that later), Pies have cobbled together a list of ten currently active footballers that just look far, far too old for dates on their birth certificates.

One advantage of Peter Ridsdale and Graham Westley being together as chairman and manager respectively of Preston North End is that they may only end up annoying each other and messing around with only one club. I recognise that will not have brightened the day of any Lilywhites fans. And I can only apologise.

One advantage of Peter Ridsdale and Graham Westley being together as chairman and manager respectively of Preston North End is that they may only end up annoying each other and messing around with only one club. I recognise that will not have brightened the day of any Lilywhites fans. And I can only apologise.

P TIMES PG 1 West Ham United 51 2 Southampton 50 3 Cardiff City 47 4 Middlesbrough 45 5 Hull City 40 6 Derby County 40 7 Blackpool 39 8 Burnley 39 9 Reading 40 10 Leeds United 39 11 Brighton & Hove Albion 38 12 Birmingham City 37 13 Crystal Palace 37 14 Barnsley 36 15 Leicester City 35 16 Watford 31 17 Portsmouth 32 18 Peterborough United 31 19 Bristol City 27 20 Millwall 26 21 Ipswich Town 26 22 Nottingham Forest 24 23 Doncaster Rovers 23 24 Coventry City 19

Two points separate the top four sides in the Championship going into this weekend's action, with leaders Southampton in danger of falling out of the automatic promotion spots for the first time this season.
Nigel Adkins' men wasted no time in acclimatising to life back in the second tier, surprising those who bet on the Championship to quickly build up a healthy lead over the rest.

Two points separate the top four sides in the Championship going into this weekend's action, with leaders Southampton in danger of falling out of the automatic promotion spots for the first time this season.
Nigel Adkins' men wasted no time in acclimatising to life back in the second tier, surprising those who bet on the Championship to quickly build up a healthy lead over the rest.

Warning. This picture of Erik Lamela could cause muscle spasm and/or blindness. Image: AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca.

Domestic cup competitions dominate the Midweek Results this week, but for once, that's not a bad thing.

Go ahead and run along now, Kickettes. It's not polite to keep these pretty footballers waiting.

Martes 10 de enero de 2012 1 Crystal Palace vs Cardiff City 0 Miércoles 11 de enero de 2012 0 Manchester City vs Liverpool 1 Martes 24 de enero de 2012 Cardiff City vs Crystal Palace 13:45 hrsMiércoles 25 de enero de 2012 Liverpool vs Manchester City 13:45 hrs Gracias por tu visita Estadísticas de Fútbol

Newcastle are still said to be interested in Crystal Palace striker/winger Wilfried Zaha. Wilfied Zaha - Newcastle still interested Zaha was in action again last night in Crystal Palaces' 1-0 first-leg semi-final win over Cardiff City in London, but another player interesting Newcastle - 20 year-old right back Nathaniel Clyne was not playing as he was one of about five or six Palace players who had gone down [.

Alan Connell celebrates his goal in Swindon Town's 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic with a gentle smooch of team mate Paul Caddis. How nice. Image: Scott Heavey/Getty Images Europe.

If you haven't been paying much attention to our editorial guidelines, we tend to wade in the lower league pools of English football pretty during cup competitions only.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

The FA Cup has lost some of its prestige with the rise of the Premier League but Sunday's clash between Manchester United and Manchester City was a glimpse at the drama knockout competitions can provide in a 3-2 win for United.

United were up by three goals before halftime thanks to two goals from Wayne Rooney and a stunning strike from Danny Welbeck.

The following tables show the number of points earned by teams during 2011.

It's very tight at the top of the Championship table for 2011. Reading have the best points average yet it's Middlesbrough who picked up more points during the year. Both these sides are closely followed by Cardiff City who finish the year having picked up 82 points, an identical tally to Reading.

The following tables show the number of points earned by teams during 2011.

It's very tight at the top of the Championship table for 2011. Reading have the best points average yet it's Middlesbrough who picked up more points during the year. Both these sides are closely followed by Cardiff City who finish the year having picked up 82 points, an identical tally to Reading.

Merseyside club Liverpool are seriously considering a move for young Welshman and Celtic right-back Adam Matthews and sources suggest the club are contemplating a bid for the 19 year old.
However Matthews has only just joined Celtic from Cardiff City and his performances have shown he is a player that could make him one of the Celtic legends if he were to remain.

Wales to play Costa Rica in Gary Speed memorial match

Game will be played at the Cardiff City Stadium on January 11

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2012-01-04 15:13:19 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

photo by Gerhard Steenkamp/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Aston Villa finished 2011 with a big upset victory over Chelsea, and Brad Guzan played a part in making that happen.

In his fifth start of the season, Guzan helped the Villans stun Chelsea, 3-1, on Saturday.

Photo by Joe Toth/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Clint Dempsey has made quite the statement in 2011, and this weekend will provide him with a chance to finish it in style.

Having enjoyed a career year, Dempsey's final game of 2011 will pit him and Fulham against Norwich City in a match that could see the Cottagers inch closer to the top half of the Premiership table.

Crystal Palace are one of two Championship sides that remain in the 2011/12 League Cup. Out of the two Championship sides, Crystal Palace remain to be the team that have performed at a lower level than their Championship counterpart and League Cup semi-final opposition Cardiff City.
In the Championship Cardiff are in 5th position with 38 points, whereas Palace currently reside in 8th position with 33 points.

Cardiff City are enjoying a good start to the 2011-12 season, and whilst the priority for all clubs in the Championship will always be to make it to the Holy Land of the Premiership, this season a rare opportunity has opened up for Malky Mackay's side.
Having defeated Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup, they now find themselves just two games away from an appearance at Wembley in what would be their second run-out at the famous stadium in the last four years – not a bad record for a side that has been stranded outside the top tier of English football since 1962.