By FRANCO PANIZO
Herculez Gomez and Jose Torres achieved their dreams of playing in a World Cup earlier this
year, and now they'll get a chance to play in a different one.
Gomez, Torres and fellow American Marco Vidal all aim to get playing time on Friday as Pachuca
begins its quest for the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Playing time has been hard to come by this season for Jonathan Spector, but after his Carling
Cup heroics, he might just see the field for West Ham for a second straight game.
Spector made a strong case for more minutes with his brace in the 4-0 win over Manchester United
in the quarterfinals of the Carling Cup on Wednesday, and that performance could bear fruit when
the Hammers visit Sunderland.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Eric Lichaj and Aston Villa may have lost their match against Tottenham on Sunday, but the
American put forth one of the most solid performances of his young career.
Starting at right back in the 2-1 loss to Tottenham on Boxing Day, Lichaj helped contain the
dangerous Gareth Bale before Bale eventually moved over to the opposite flank.
By FRANCO PANIZO
The Clint Dempsey-to-Liverpool rumors just won't go away, and they will likely continue should
he have a strong game against the club this weekend.
Dempsey and Fulham travel to take on Liverpool in a game that could help the Cottagers further
themselves from the relegation zone or drop them into it.
Lots of postponements in England, but the big news coming out of the weekend concerns a National
Teamer who did not play. Charlie Davies made the bench for Sochaux in their 1-1 draw with Bordeaux.
Aston Villa, Wolves, and Fulham had their Premier League games pushed back due to the winter
weather issues in England.
I can't add sleigh bells to my posts over Christmas (and believe me I would if I could) so
instead I thought I'd write a Christmas themed post covering which sides have faired best in Boxing
Day matches over the years.
Boxing Day stats:
- 172 Aston Villa have scored more goals than any side.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Maurice Edu looks set to give Rangers' fans a late Christmas present this weekend as he aims to
make his return from an injury that's sidelined him since early November.
Having been knocked out of action since Nov. 10 with a knee injury, Edu could make his way back
into Rangers' lineup on Boxing Day when the club faces Motherwell.
