We're now another step closer to the Women's Soccer Summer Olympic tournament in London after this morning's draw at Wembley Stadium.

Here's how the groups break down for the tournament (FIFA world ranking in parentheses):

Group E: Great Britain (9), New Zealand (24), Cameroon (52), Brazil (4)
Group F: Japan (3), Canada (7), Sweden (5), South Africa (65)
Group G: USA (1), France (6), Colombia (28), Korea DPR (8)

Some quick thoughts about the groups:

* Out of the top 4 teams, Brazil received probably the best draw by avoiding an early matchup with the USWNT, Japan, Sweden or France.

Time to sift through the aftermath of that game between Dortmund and Bayern. And since the other 16 teams in the league decided to do nothing particularly unexpected, it'll be in a bit more detail.

The title hasn't been decided yet, but the near future.
Dortmund have apparently been handed the title already by pretty much everybody, who has anything to say about football.

After another less than impressive result for Liverpool on Saturday, the hangman's noose is slowing tightening around Dalglish's future with the club. Liverpool remain winless in their last 4 matches having lost 3 consecutively prior to yesterday's draw.

Of course, as is the custom nowadays, Reds manager Kenny Dalglish blamed the referee for the result claiming that his were unfairly denied opportunities that could have changed the outcome of the game.

The writing is definitely on the wall for Liverpool Manager Kenny Dalglish. With two successive losses in their last two Premier League outings, the Reds, find themselves in 7th place with 42 points.

Uncertainty over Dalglish's future is already raising speculation on a possible replacement.

I am filling in for Geoff as time was of the essence for the writers of Big D and I was the only SF writer available at the time. I was able to ask the three questions of Big D soccer and was asked three in return. Big D also has a nice piece on the scouting the Timbers.

SF: There is a lot of European interest in a couple of your younger players, namely George John and Brek Shea, what kind of affect on the team and the players will this have?

Back in the summer there was a point when Harry Redknapp was a very short odds on favourite to take over the Chelsea manager's job. Before checking the current prices, many may have thought that a similar scenario would happen again but at present, Harry is way off the pace at 40/1 with some bookmakers.

There was a moment in the buildup to the fifth (knockout) goal in which Mahmadou Diarra seemed to have lost control. A challenger saw him moment, but while Diarra re-orientated himself and relocated the ball, the tackler seemed to bounce off an invisible force field, perhaps more than once. It was like a lion cub trying to play with its mother: yes, yes, I know you're there but I'm busy at the moment, get off and go away.

Man City striker Mario Balotelli once again answered his critics by scoring in their 2-0 home win over Bolton yesterday. Of course, yesterday's victory was very important not only for City and their title hopes but for Balotelli who reportedly was out early Saturday morning partying at a strip club despite coach Mancini's strict 48 hour curfew on game day.

Greek challenger to Sir Chesney?

When the team has just lost our last 2 consecutive league fixtures, the last thing we want to hear is that our club is being gazumped elsewhere away from the pitch. Liverpool has secured a brand new £150million kit deal with American firm Warrior Sports. A deal that place them only second behind Barcelona in today's shirt deals around the world.

In the first part of this series, we ran the rule over the current United roster. In this second part, we'll compile a list of wants by position, setting us up for the grand finale, where we put those wants in order...

Would you trust this man with your roster?

GOALKEEPER

Needs: Hamid and Willis are solid in the first two spots on the depth chart, so there shouldn't be much work to do here.

Having just suffered their first defeat in the league against Chelsea last Monday, another important challenge must be faced by Manchester City this weekend as an in-form Arsenal are coming to Etihad stadium.

Despite the difficulty of the upcoming match, City's manager, Roberto Mancini apparently isn't worrying that much especially since they have a big boost with the potential return of Micah Richards for this Sunday.

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has finally spoken out on the Carlos Tevez transfer saga saying that the Argentine has the choice between joining a prestigious side like Milan or moving to a club that is able to meet his financial requirements.

Commanding a weekly wage of £200,000, Tevez does not come cheap and it is this fact that it the bone of contention between his club City and Milan.

By JOEY SAMUEL

In previous years, many viewed the FIFA Club World Cup as a minor tournament that was inevitably going to be won by the European or South American teams. This time around, that could still happen, but the 2011 edition is shaping up to be the most competitive yet.

The United States drew a favorable path to the semifinals of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying on Tuesday, getting put in Group A with Canada, Cuba and El Salvador. Group A's games will take place at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn. The full schedule for the qualifying tournament will be released later this week, according to CONCACAF.

By Gordon Fleetwood

Just over a week ago the race looked to be over. You could have called the engraver and no-one would have batted an eyelid. In the race for the title of top scorer in Brazil‘s top flight, Santos striker Borges was all alone at the summit.

It was bound to happen sooner or later. Man City's amazing unbeaten run finally ended last night after they suffered 2-1 away defeat to Serie A club SS Napoli. The loss now means City will have to beat Bayern Munich at home in the final group game and hope that Villarreal who are yet to pick up a point in the tournament can spring a surprise and beat the Italian club.

As Arsenal captain, even your hair has to be neat

Two things got me to write this topic today. First, I'm at the moment in the middle of reading Alex Flynn's "Arsènal The Making of a Modern Superclub" and I'm currently at the chapter which speaks about the behaviour of a certain William Gallas after the 2-2 draw at Birmingham.

Only two more rounds of the group stage of the Champions League remain, and for quite a few teams, that means the margin for error is slim to none.

Over the final two match days, there are a number of important games that will determine how things shake out. Several of Europe's elite, like Barcelona and Bayern Munich, who boast the tournament's leading scorers in Lionel Messi and Mario Gomez, are in favorable positions heading into their last two matches, but there are also a couple of notable few who still have some work to do to keep alive their quest to be the best.

Ledley King has been speaking to the press this week about his own future and the expectations of his club for the 2011-12 season. King hopes that it will be Spurs that mount the biggest threat to the Manchester sides this campaign.

"I hope we can become the biggest challenger to the Manchester teams," King said in the Evening Standard.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King is committed to maintaining the club's terrific form and confidently believes that there is enough quality within the squad to challenge league leaders Manchester City and reigning champions Manchester United.

King, who has overcome many injury problems to become involved in a stretch of fixtures that has witnessed his side win seven of their last eight top-flight matches.

Last year we started a little awards series. Rather than an "MVP" we separated that into "Offensive" and "Defensive" Player of Year. Unlike the official awards of MLS these are to recognize play in all competitive matches. Both by vote (2010 - 69%) and proclamation (2009) Fredy Montero won the award.

RvP congratulating Song on a good impression of RvP's celebration at Stamford Bridge

After the euphoria of Saturday's emphatic win at Stamford Bridge, it's time for the players to take their mind of that and concentrate on the next game. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, this is just as big a game as the last match.

RvP congratulating Song on a good impression of RvP's celebration at Stamford Bridge

After the euphoria of Saturday's emphatic win at Stamford Bridge, it's time for the players to take their mind of that and concentrate on the next game. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, this is just as big a game as the last match.

The Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van Der Vaart was in bullish mood after Spurs 3-1 win over QPR, and despite having watched the Gunners beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, the Dutchman thinks that Tottenham have a better and bigger squad than Arsenal. When asked if he considered Arsenal to be a challenger for the [.

(Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz)

All this week, PSP will be breaking down the Philadelphia Union/Houston Dynamo playoff matchup. PSP's roving correspondent Adam Cann lays out the big questions and Eli Pearlman-Storch answers them. First up, we compare the goalkeeping of the second and third best teams in the Eastern Conference.

By FRANCO PANIZO

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. - Following the news that Omar Gonzalez was open to considering playing for Mexico, U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann was again asked about his roster omissions following Thursday evening's practice session.

Liverpool may still be considered by many as potential title challenger this season but according to their new star, Luis Suarez, at the moment it's very unlikely for his team to challenge for the league title.

Suarez admitted that the strength of two Manchester clubs alongside Chelsea are a bit further than other teams in the premier league including the Pool, who are still sitting at fifth place in the league table with 13 points.

As dangerous as archrivals City have looked in the early part of the Premier League season, it could be easy to dismiss Chelsea as the main challenger to the Manchester United throne. United and Chelsea have combined to win the last seven Premier League titles, with the two sides claiming the top two spots in [.

Manchester City strong start in the early stage of the premier league has set the expectation for Roberto Mancini's very high indeed, as many already hailed the Eastlands as they main rival to challenge Manchester United for the league title this season.

Acknowledging the pressure arriving from fans and pundits, Mancini looks to play down the praises by stating that winning the league or even Champions League isn't becoming the club's obsession as just yet especially since there are many new players in the team this summer.

Manchester City new boy Samir Nasri has hit back at the media for misrepresenting his recent comments about the lack of passion shown by the supporters at his former club Arsenal, but has further emphasized his faith in joining the Eastlands outfit.

Speaking to the media ahead of his return to North London for the Citizens' tricky fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, Nasri told reporters that he only raised doubts over the atmosphere at the Emirates and in addition to seeking a superior atmosphere at Etihad Stadium, he is confident about lifting the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 23, 2011) US Soccer Players -- What, you believed Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson when he was building up Liverpool as a potential title challenger during his club's tour of America? Did he convince you that there was going to be real competition for the Premier League title while complimenting whatever collection of Major League Soccer players a pre-season version of United had just made look a little.

THFC1882 is pleased to welcome back guest writer Gareth Johnson for his thoughts on our upcoming Europa League game against Heart of Midlothians on Thursday.

As Luka Modric took to the pitch in our pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao, he was perhaps a little surprised at the rapturous applause that broke out around the ground after his summer of discontent.

Mohamed bin Hammam wants answers.

Bin Hammam, a recent challenger to president Sepp Blatter's throne who was given a lifetime ban from FIFA after being found guilty of bribery by the organization's ethics committee, has yet to receive documentation outlining the reasons for his expulsion.

We may be nearly three years away from the kickoff of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but the first major step towards determining who will take part occurred in Rio de Janeiro with the preliminary draw for World Cup qualifying on Saturday.

The United States, which gets a buy until the third round of CONCACAF qualifying, was drawn into Group A along with Jamaica and the winners of Group E and Group F from round two.

All the marbles. All the pretzels, so to speak.

USA vs. Japan. For the Cup.

Japan is no stranger to the Ali Krieger & the USWNT, losing two friendlies to the US just two months ago by identical 2-0 scorelines...

A quick aside here. The US ladies should probably first thank Japan when they line-up and shake hands.

By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Paris

Although the sport sections of French newspapers have been dominated this past week by Les Bleues' exploits in the Women's World Cup, the fate of the Ligue 1 may dramatically -and discreetly - change in the coming days.

Jack Warner "hung out to dry", resigns from FIFA - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

The President of the CONCACAF and Vice President of FIFA Jack Warner has stepped down from his role at FIFA three weeks after threatening to "unleash a tsunami" on football's governing body. Trinidadian Warner was implicated in allegations of facilitating bribery within the ranks of the World's most powerful sporting organisation.

The game opened hearing that we would see a free roaming Fredy Montero who could do what he wanted. It wound up with Seattle playing a 4-2-3-1 with the middle of that 3 band being free to pester Toronto FC from unique angles. For the first 10 or 15 minutes it looked like Seattle was going to be the only challenger in this one with Mike Fucito hitting the far post in minute 2.

When it came to the player of the season awards, Benoit Assou-Ekotto was a surprise candidate for many fans and although Luka Modric was a clear winner in most polls, BAE was a strong challenger for second place.

Fans like consistency, and aside for one or two isolated shaky performances, Benny showed a level of form throughout that saw him make 45 appearances in all competitions for the club last season.

Travelling to Columbus for the second match in four days, the Fire will face an opponent that will certainly be a challenger for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Despite cleaning house and releasing many of their most reliable veteran players after last season, Columbus is still currently eight points ahead of the Fire in the standings.