Hans Backe wants to go for it all. (Getty Images)

File this under "we've heard this before".

New York Red Bulls manager Hans Backe made a sweeping declaration yesterday to reporters while in Mexico. He plans to go all-in this season.

"I say we should go for it all: the Open Cup, the Shield, the MLS Cup," Backe told reporters in a conference call on Thursday from Mexico, where the Red Bulls are training.

After the Super Bowl winner is decided, Wes Welker will become a free agent. However, the star wide receiver for the New England Patriots insists he's not thinking about money right now.

Said Welker: "I plan on being back. I am not really too worried about that right now. I am fully concentrated on this game and what we have to do, but I plan on being back.

When rumors of Carlos Ruiz's imminent arrival in Philadelphia surfaced, PSP's Mike Servedio wrote, "Ruiz is known as a mixed bag, a temperamental striker who has had some big seasons in terms of goals in the MLS, but is just as well known for his flagrant diving. The Union could definitely use an experienced goal-scoring striker, with only three out-and-out strikers on the roster, but with Ruiz' reputation he might have to work to win over the Union faithful (myself included).

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By ADAM SERRANO

CARSON, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Galaxy may boast a star-studded lineup, but it's who is not going to be on the field that may prove the difference for the Galaxy come MLS Cup.

In the past, Lazio have always been lacking the final step to reach the "big" Serie A clubs. While the club has always been competitive under Claudio Lotito's control, they have never managed to push into the highest echelon of Italian football/soccer. Yet this season it seems that Lotito has created the perfect team.

Damien Comolli has personally led a convoy with two scouts to watch Fabricio Coloccini in action, according to the Daily Mirror, with the Argentine high on Liverpool's transfer wish list for January.
Kenny Dalgilsh has already purchased Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique from Newcastle, and with Enrique's connections to Coloccini, Dalglish and Comolli are both said to be hoping that a deal can go through in the next transfer window.

Come on now, Revs, don't go getting me all excited and optimistic again! Fool me once.. or.. err... 4 times.. shame on you, but fool me a 5th time... you get where I'm going. Needless to say, I was quite shocked to hear on Saturday night that won, against FC Dallas no less. Unfortunately, I was unable to watch the game until last night, so forgive my delay in getting this piece up.

(Photos: Michael C. Long)

After shaking off a right leg injury, first year Independence midfielder Sinead Farrelly put in her best performance of the season in the WPS Super Semifinal. Having gotten the best of magicJack and US National Team member Megan Rapinoe, the no. 2 pick in the 2011 WPS Draft has her sights set on claiming the league title in her first season.

While Brad Childress coached the Minnesota Vikings, he did whatever he thought was necessary to win football games. Whether that meant getting on his hands and knees to beg Brett Favre to unretire, or trading for the enigma that is Randy Moss. However, regarding the latter move, Brad Childress says he now regrets the decision.

Barouch scored a brace when the Fire dismantled RBNY Jr in a 4-0 USOC quarterfinal win in July.

If it is in fact time for the Fire to let go of pointless dreams of the playoffs, as I wrote in my last column, then let's take a look at how the Fire could approach this Saturday's fixture against the Red Bulls in New York/Jersey.

As Eintracht Frankfurt begin what they hope to be a single season exiled in Germany's 2. Bundesliga, Ricardo Clark feels the team's chemistry and character will help them make a quick return to the top flight.

Another game, another depressing drive home from Gillette Stadium. This one hurt. It hurt because it's now officially the second half of the season and there is just barely anything left out there. Sunday night I saw a team with their tails between their legs. It even hurts me to relive the game and write this.

Sunday's final vs Japan is going to be verrrryyyy interesting!! 2 completely different teams but with the same die hard attitude! I'm torn over who I want to win, because I'm not totally sold on the US team yet. Their style is...not so attractive, but their chemistry and attitude is immense.

Lauren Cheney will need to control the tempo in midfield if the US are to defeat Japan.

Hi AC- I read your blog and enjoy your media criticisms and was wondering what you thought of their Women's World Cup coverage?
I think it's better than the men for a few simple reasons
1. No Lalas
2. Diciccio- great analyst, just wish they'd allow him more than just a few sentences a game.

The Brotherly Game spoke with Jordan Harvey today about his trade to the Vancouver Whitecaps. This is a portion of the 20 minutes interview - which includes all of the questions sent to @brotherlygame on Twitter - that Harvey gave us. For the full audio of the interview (MP3 form), click here.

One moment he was packing to go to San Jose, the next moment he was getting ready for Colorado.

Img: Daniel Gajdamowicz

As the Union prepare for a derby with DC United, the Philly Soccer Page turned to DC assistant Chad Ashton for his thoughts on his own team, the Union, and how a coaching staff can manage its locker room chemistry.

Philly Soccer Page: One of the things DC Coach Ben Olsen said recently was that Philadelphia's strong defense is really what separates these two teams.

Union

From a first half that deserved the boos to a second half that we all hope is a harbinger of the future—what was the difference? Said Carlos Ruiz, "The difference between the first half and the second half was we were more compact in the second half. That was the key to win the game."

Or was it something else?

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Game time: Saturday, 10 p.m.

TV: The Comcast Network

On Saturday, Philadelphia Union get to face an old teammate and the strangest player in Major League Soccer.

The Union (6-3-4) head to Vancouver to face the expansion Whitecaps (1-6-8), who thus far have been the league's worst team.

All press is good press, right?

Not in the case of the drubbing the USMNT received from Spain on Saturday night. After the US B-squad was run off the field by Spain in a contest that was about as one-sided as possible, Tuesday's Gold Cup match versus Canada was the convenient excuse for the team's performance.

IowaSportsHub Chemistry of the FIFA World Cup trophy - http://www.reddit.com/r... 2 hours ago from Soccer - Comment - Like

Steve's first blog about the injury

Steve, all around great guy that he is, has written a long and heartfelt blog about his road to recovery. I believe he will continue to update us, but this gives us a look behind the scenes at a few things that we would not have otherwise known. The thing that jumped out at me the most is this quote:

"One of the people I always look to for advice concerning football issues is my former teammate and friend, Pete Vagenas.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has lauded Kenny Dalglish's performance as Liverpool manager, and says that the Anfield club's board would be crazy not to sign the ex-Liverpool star permanently.
"You'd argue he couldn't do anything more [to be given the Liverpool job] to be perfectly honest," Hughes told reporters.

It's the first round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs. However, even though the playoffs are just beginning, there are some teams that appear to be the cream of the crop. While things my change between now and the NBA Finals, these teams appear to be the top five teams to beat going forward in the postseason:

1.

By JOSE M. ROMERO

Real Salt Lake is set for a sudden start to its 2011 season with Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg against the Columbus Crew (8 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel).

Its preseason training abbreviated by its CCL obligations, Real Salt Lake's need for its players to start training camp in shape and with a sense of familiarity was that much more important.

Now that we are finished with the 2011 NBA All-Star Game, it's time to get back to business. Who are the best teams in the NBA? That's the question we will answer below. There are currently six teams with a legit chance to win the 2011 NBA championship. Here is our current power rankings in reverse order:

6.

I was able to witness practice for the Portland Timbers on February 12, highlighted with more fitness drills, intense physical play during a scrimmage, and the appearance of forward Kenny Cooper. I also noticed a team that has improved greatly in their chemistry and passion, even if the fitness wasn't quite there.

Another weekend in Serie A full of interesting results. Probably the biggest result was Udinese defeating Inter 3-1 at home. Recently, Udinese has been lauded in the Italian media as playing the best calcio in Italy, and they are confirming that more and more as the weeks pass (I wrote about how great a club Udinese is back in 2008, give it a read if interested).

It's an emotional time for Wanderers fans. We've been suffering a mid-season slump, we've had five away losses in a row, getting only 4 points from the last 5 games. And then, last Saturday the incredibly sad news of Nat Lofthouse's death reached us. The loss of a legend, the one man that embodied Bolton Wanderers more than any other, has shaken the club from top to bottom.

It's an emotional time for Wanderers fans. We've been suffering a mid-season slump, we've had five away losses in a row, getting only 4 points from the last 5 games. And then, last Saturday the incredibly sad news of Nat Lofthouse's death reached us. The loss of a legend, the one man that embodied Bolton Wanderers more than any other, has shaken the club from top to bottom.

Minnesota's Ben Sippola was picked by the Columbus Crew on Tuesday in Major League Soccer's supplemental draft. He was the Crews first pick in the supplemental draft and the 30th overall pick. The Northfield, Minnesota native had been a last minute add on to the MLS Combine held in Fort Lauderdale, FL.