Now we start entering the realm of players with playing time. Of guys that may have value to other clubs in trade, and quite possibly seeing the guy that Philadelphia takes in the Expansion Draft later this month. This collection of players are in two sets.

The first set are two USL Sounders, and the second two players are young talents with promise, but who have lacked the playing time to showcase their reputations in competitive matches.

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This is not the sort of morning that I'd relish watching a soccer game ... but two of my intrepid housemates (applesrisp in hand) will be heading to Lewiston momentarily to watch the Bobcats tangle with the Panthers. Would be so nice if Bates could defeat Middlebury ... and while it's probably in the unlikely category, what I love about sports is that "it could happen.

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Now that the Germans have qualified for next year's FIFA World Cup, here are a few names not known outside of the country you should watch out for. Chances are, your club will sign them up leading to the 2010/11 club season... Heiko Westermann, CB, Shalke 04 Solid for both club and country, Heiko Westermann [. Click to continue reading...

Good times lay ahead, we know that anyway. But.... Good times could be 99% assured this season should we sign two players this January. I know it is a while off January at this time but I'm sure Wenger is already looking ahead so shy shouldn't we. I'm not gonna mention the papers because as soon as the window shuts they are looking for the next window moves, but anyway.

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Hello people, hope your enjoying your weekend thus far, and are anticipating a good win over Blackburn tomorrow. I think the team is performing well but we have to be consistent this season which wasn't the case last season, to the point where we had so many 0-0 draws in a row it was unbelievable.

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I started writing this as a reply to the comments in the last match reaction, but I figured this discussion worthy of its own posting, and what better format to use than my infamous Versus feature.
The theory here is that one of these two players will be starting next to Dejan Jakovic when the Canadian returns from hernia surgery. Click to continue reading...

Hello people, I am still feeling bad over our loss to Man City yesterday and this has left me thinking about our current situation as a whole. I have already, a few weeks ago voiced my feelings over Wenger and how he should of and needed buy, and how he didn't so today I am going to tell you what will be of Arsenal next year, so read on:

The overall result of this season when it ends:

In the league we will finish fourth with either Man City or Liverpool being a close 5th.

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                                                          Photo by ISIphotos.com

I bet you didn't expect to see them this quicky, did you?

The questions are still pouring in, but I've managed to knock out the first batch of answers to the latest Q&A.

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                                                          Photo by ISIphotos.com

I bet you didn't expect to see them this quicky, did you?

The questions are still pouring in, but I've managed to knock out the first batch of answers to the latest Q&A.

Click to continue reading...

That wasn't exactly how I wanted to see us play against one of the worst teams in the league, but a win is a win, and somehow I still feel like we earned this one. It definitely took this team 30 minutes or so to settle in, and gave up way too many chances during those first 30 minutes, but we looked like the better team in the second half, and ultimately we prevailed. Click to continue reading...

This time last year, I think during another dull international break, I had a look at the reserves and which players will make an impact, albeit in the Carling, on the First Team this season. I thought I would do that again as the only news out of the club at the moment is the scheduled injury to an important back up centre back (Johan Djourou for those who are unaware)

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I feel disappointed and somewhat annoyed of how Arsene Wenger seems it liable to sell two main players this transfer window and bring in one (Thomas Vermaelen) as a like for like replacement. If Arsenal want to challenge for all trophies this season we needed a better squad, and without a doubt needed another CB.

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Hurtado is out due to his Card situation. Now today we find out that Marshall and Graham are out as well. So the Sounders in their quest for their first Cup in year one MLS have a significant situation. Three of their four CB are out, the central midfield has passing issues and the [...] Click to continue reading...

As originally reported here (in The Offside's First official scoop), Bill Hamid, Annandale native and academy product, has signed with MLS and will be on DCU's roster as the third goalkeeper. As a result of this and other additions like Shipalane, Habarugira, and James, someone on the current roster will have to be cut.

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So many of the United States' players played so poorly, it's somewhat amazing the U.S. was less than 10 minutes away from leaving Azteca with a draw.

But, predictably, the U.S. ran out of gas (altitude matters) to lose the Concacaf World Cup qualifier, 2-1, against Mexico. A draw would have been a fantastic result and would have kept Mexico's World Cup chances in serious jeopardy.

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At last we;ve heard some transfer news relating Arsenal FC. I was wondering whether the papers had forget us, but this story appears it could be quite true:

The Daily Mail this morning has reported that Arsenal are to place a £12 million bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis was in Germany on Monday ready to make a £12m offer for the 20-year-old Serb.

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If Wenger wants to play the 4-3-3 system, he has got to ensure that he selects the right players, in the right positions. I personally have concerns with regards to Wenger's team selection which frustrates me as I believe this new system could work wonders. Wenger has often baffled me with certain line-ups over the course of the last season or two and there are indications that the same may happen this season.

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The English Championship and League One seasons have started with teams looking to be promoted to the next division. There are several Americans playing in these two divisions, including Jay DeMerit, Zak Whitbread, Jemal Johnson, and Mike Grella. Here's a recap of this past weekend's action along with video highlights.

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Today has been a big day for Arsenal; We are to face Celtic in Champions league qualifying which as "harregas the gooner" said on the post below is very ironic and many transfer stories have stated prevailing in the last few hours, so the papers should be full of them tomorrow.

Arsenal to up Chamakh bid

The Daily Mail is saying Wenger will up his bid for the Moroccan forward to £7.

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Arsenal is in the market for a center back and the club has set its sights on Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic.

Subotic is reportedly being pursued by the Gunners, who sold center back Kolo Toure to Manchester City last week. Subotic, 20, is coming off an impressive first season in the German Bundesliga, scoring six goals in 33 league games to help Dortmund to a sixth place finish.

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Arsenal is in the market for a center back and the club has set its sights on Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic.

Subotic is reportedly being pursued by the Gunners, who sold center back Kolo Toure to Manchester City last week. Subotic, 20, is coming off an impressive first season in the German Bundesliga, scoring six goals in 33 league games to help Dortmund to a sixth place finish.

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What's left to say about the Gold Cup that hasn't already been said? We had four strong matches, and then one epic failure. It's clear that the 5-0 loss to Mexico weighs more heavily on our hearts than any of the previous victories, but fortunately we have only a few weeks to wait before we get the chance for revenge.

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So i wake up early this Saturday morning, tune into sky sports news hoping to hear some good news how Chelsea might of lost or all the Scums players broke their legs on the way back from wembley when i hear that Sunderland of all teams have signed Lorik Cana.

Lets take a step back now, the same Lorik Cana that alot of Arsenal fans are crying out for and someone who would suit us perfectly and would have been the perfect addition for us!

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Remember the 11 year old Fire fan who is slowly becoming an iPhone app Tycoon? Well a loyal MLSR read writes in to tell us he too is both a Fire fan and a hit app developer:
I know you guys are always looking to spread stories about MLS fans, so I figured I would send this along. Last week I think it was, there was a story that was pretty big I think you ran about a young Fire fan making his first iPhone app. Click to continue reading...

In whats been a slow news week there has been a flood of stories surrounding our club over the weekend.

Big Phil, Swiss Tony or Senderlump, whatever you want to call him has now become a target for Steve Bruce's Sunderland. Senderslug has never really made the CB spot his own in his time at Arsenal and Wenger's decision to let him leave to join Milan on loan with a view to make the deal permanent,  gave the impression Sir Arsene didn't really see a future for him at the Emirates.

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Albirex Niigata V. Nagoya Grampus
Background: This is a really important fixture in terms of the future of these teams. Niigata are flying high and currently occupy second place while Grampus and performing below expectations at 9th. If Niigata win then they will look comfortable to stay where they are, but if Nagoya win then they will probably use this as a boost to push up the table. Click to continue reading...

Bréiner Bonilla of the Colombian second division has been reportedly signed by the Red Bulls, according to colombia.com. Bonilla (no relation to Bobby . . . I think) is a central defender, a position which currently has both starters out due to infractions.

Unfortunately, I do not keep up with the Colo 2nd division, so I have about as much insight on him as the next guy.

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From the San Jose Earthquakes front office, the team has placed two players on waivers today, defender Eric Denton and midfielder Kelly Gray.
Denton appeared in 10 matches this season and had an assist on May 27 against the Columbus Crew. In 2008 he started 26 games at left back. Click to continue reading...

"I could explain the scenario to you, on how the United States could make into the semifinals, but we would be on television longer than Jerry Lewis on Labor Day."

A pretty weak joke by ESPN's Recce Davis before the U.S.'s Confederations Cup match against Egypt Sunday. In reality, it wasn't too complicated.

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Brazil beating the United States 3-0 isn't what made Thursday's performance disgraceful. Brazil is one of the best teams in the world and, in short, the U.S. isn't. But not showing up, playing scared, stupid mistakes, puzzling tactics and a lack of passion made the U.S.'s loss one of its most embarrassing in modern history.

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Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press

"Yikes" is what I said when I saw Ricardo Clark throw his legs at Gennaro Guttuso.

"Awwwww," is what I said when I saw the red card above Clark's head.

I talked myself into the United States getting a draw against Italy (maybe even winning) but all my hope burst out of me when Clark was ejected in the 32nd minute.

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We've come here to pay our respects to Great Aunt Nellie. She brought us up properly and taught us loyalty. Now I want you to remember that during these next few days. I also want you to remember that if you don't come back with the goods, Nellie here will turn in her grave, and, likely as not, jump right out of it and kick your teeth in. Click to continue reading...

"West Ham's new owners plan to take a profit and be off," screams an hysterical headline in today's Guardian. Suddenly startled by the notion that CB Holding (a specially set-up asset-management company) might actually have taken over the club with the intention of recouping losses from former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, Sachin Nakrani has delivered a rather curious rehash of the same reflexive article he wrote a few days ago in which doubt is cast on the benefits to West Ham of the recent takeover. Click to continue reading...

Mamadou Sakho, currently a young PSG Centre Back has been a target of Arsenal for a while now and according to his agent Arsenal are the "most interested" club but currently are "to cheap" inclining that we have made a bid but have not offered enough.

This is what he had to say:

"He will be moving clubs this summer.

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As news today is slower than a white man in slippers I thought I would feature a little interview with Trevor Brooking. I stumbled across it yesterday on Wharf.
Interview: West Ham legend Trevor Brooking
By Simon Hayes
West Ham legend Sir Trevor Brooking is urging the club's new owners to build for the future following this week's takeover. Click to continue reading...