Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly has spoken of his respect for colleague Daniel Ayala, despite the fact that the young Spaniard is in direct competition with him for a place in the team.
Both 19-year-olds have represented their countries at youth level and both have now played for Rafa Benitez's first-team, but Kelly insists that their relationship is positive. Click to continue reading...

Two things to talk about this morning that affect my entire sports weekend.� First, let me say that I am very glad that my wife (who is going on a mission trip to a far-off land for about a week) is not flying through France or Ireland to get there because right now someone is probably screaming their head off in the streets of Ireland.

Click to continue reading...

As esteemed colleague, Bowburnmag wrote yesterday, Fenham hitman, Shola Ameobi, wants to follow his dream in the African Nation's Cup, and possibly even the 2010 World Cup with Nigeria. As that story reported, Ameobi has already represented England at under 21 level no less than twenty times (with seven goals), though his chances of getting [. Click to continue reading...

Our old ASD colleague Alex Abnos is an idea man, a musician. Today, he has all sorts of ideas on how to orchestrate a comeback season for the Kansas City Wizards. Lots of ideas. And-a-one-and-a-two...What went wrong?The short answer: this.The long answer: It's tough to point to any one thing, as I believe the team's failings in 2009 were the result of many little wrongs that built up over time. Click to continue reading...

Today, we continue our series by launching an inquest into our first playoff team, the Revs. How they managed to make the postseason, I'll Nicol know... erm... never know, but luckily we have someone here to make sense of all things Beantown ball. For this one, I pass it over to former American Soccer Daily colleague (and Holy Cross midfielder) Ryan O'Hanlon. Click to continue reading...

Arsenal are ready to offer £5 million for Hoffenheim midfielder Maicosuel.
The News of the World says the midfielder has been earning rave reviews in the Bundesliga at TSG Hoffenheim.
Boss Arsene Wenger, keen to add to his ranks in January, has sent scouts to watch Maicosuel in action. Click to continue reading...

The floodlights have just failed here at the HDC. (No kidding). It's the 18th minute of the game.

Updated: Since we have a few minutes here it's worth pointing out the Dynamo are keying on the soft spot just inside the left back position of the inexperienced A.J. DeLaGarza and to the left of sluggish central defender Gregg Berhalter.

Click to continue reading...

With just over 24 hours to go until the Galaxy-Chivas USA Western Conference semifinal second leg (4:30 p.m. Sunday ESPN2) and the teams deadlocked at 2-2 halfway through what is essentially a 180 minute game (although, of course, it could go longer) here's press box colleague Luis Bueno on the pressure on Chivas USA.

Click to continue reading...

In a routine chat with MUTV this week, Manchester United backup goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak said the following:

"To be honest, I must say this and Edwin doesn't like this too much for sure, but he doesn't help me too much.

"I have told him a few times already to give me some more advice because he's got more experience and got many more games under his belt.

Click to continue reading...

_______________________________Photo by ISIphotos.com

The 2009 MLS playoffs are set to kick off tonight with the Houston Dynamo taking on the Seattle Sounders and SBI will spend the next two days previewing the four first-round match-ups.

We will preview the Houston-Seattle series later today, along with the Chicago-New England series.

Click to continue reading...

_______________________________Photo by ISIphotos.com

The 2009 MLS playoffs are set to kick off tonight with the Houston Dynamo taking on the Seattle Sounders and SBI will spend the next two days previewing the four first-round match-ups.

We will preview the Houston-Seattle series later today, along with the Chicago-New England series.

Click to continue reading...

Barcelona will re-ignite their interest in Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano this summer, as speculation over the Argentine's future continues to grow.
The Blaugrana were heavily linked with Mascherano during the close season, and it is reported that preliminary talks began over a possible move to the Camp Nou. Click to continue reading...

There's a interview with Gareth Barry in today's Observer by Paul Hayward ahead of the Fulham game, in which he discusses - amongst other things - his summer move. Hayward is clearly a fan, and there is an interesting paragraph that details a recent observation of Barry:

In a recent City home game I began listing the variety of Barry's passes and charting his influence on team-mates in an expensive, attack-minded side.

Click to continue reading...

This time it's from my Popdose colleague Dw. Dunphy:

CD Review: Jupiter Society, "Terraform"

If Ray Bradbury decided to form a prog metal band, it would sound like Jupiter Society, and that really wouldn't be a bad thing...

Sorry, my friend, but I beg to differ.

Click to continue reading...

Craziness continues down in Maradona-Land.
Rumor is someone on the national team wants to break Leo Messi's legs, this according to some lawyer Marcelo Open.

Open said that "if we have a headcase threatening Messi and tells him he'll break his legs, and it's a colleague who's in the squad, there's something wrong.

Click to continue reading...

Jamie Carragher has told Michael Owen to expect a frosty reception when he returns to Anfield next month.
And the Liverpool defender admits he was taken aback by his former team-mate's move to Manchester United in the summer.
Owen made the shock switch to Old Trafford after declining the opportunity to renew his contract with relegated Newcastle United. Click to continue reading...

Chris Hughton had had some good feedback from Habib Beye about his colleague Marlon Harewood at Aston Villa. Marlon Harewood would be good loan signing for Magpies Beye told the Evening Chronicle today: "Marlon is looking really fit and ready to go." "He needs to play first-team football and Newcastle is the ideal place for him to [. Click to continue reading...

Galaxy 1 Toronto 0

Better from the Galaxy this week (could it get any worse?) helped considerably by a brittle-looking Toronto defense.

David Beckham could have had a second goal just before the break, a Julian de Guzman headed clearance of an Eddie Lewis cross falling perfectly for Becks about 22 yards out.

Click to continue reading...

In response to my esteemed colleague Sam Beans claim that United and City were going to be fighting it out for third and fourth respectively, leaving Liverpool conspicuously out of the picture, I wanted to remind everybody that at this moment, we have more points in our first five (9) than United had last year in their first five (8). Click to continue reading...

On the closing of the transfer window Marko Pantelic found a place in Amsterdam, where he will wear Ajax jersey in the next year. After it seemed that Serbian international will be forced to spend the next term in his former club Crvena Zvezda, Ajax management knocked on his door and they obviously made the right move by signing this excellent striker.

Click to continue reading...

Southend United Chief Executive Geoffrey King has strongly defended his statement about striker Alex Revell during the club's Annual General Meeting this evening (Thurs).
On two seperate occasions Mr King was asked whether he would apologise for these comments he made on Tuesday, following the departure of Revell on loan to Swindon:
"Alex Revell has failed to live up to expectations. Click to continue reading...

So I'm in the office, minding my own business, when a fellow Yid and colleague, Rob, comes up to my office and tells me that Martin Petrov is undergoing a medical.
"Great" I say.
About an hour later, Rob comes back and tells me that Petrov has failed his medical due to a problem with his knee. Click to continue reading...

In the absence of my esteemed 'news round-up' colleague, here's a briefing of some of today's newsworthy pieces concerning our dearest club. And a low-key announcement that the ‘news round-up' is no more (sorry MT). First and foremost, our old favourite the ‘sale saga' and as documented by workyticket in amused fashion last night, we're [. Click to continue reading...

EDITORS NOTE: A close MLSR source within the soccer media confirms that the Dynamo will make an official announcement regarding this signing tomorrow.
It's a thumbs up for this guy, he seems to be on his way to the Houston Dynamo.
Thanks to an MLSR colleague for pointing out this article on ESPN Deportes (click here for the original):
Luis Angel Landín of Cruz Azul cement leaving the team to integrate into the Houston Dynamo of MLS. Click to continue reading...

After many biddings and offers of the biggest European clubs, the guy Diego Maradona proclaimed the biggest hope of Argentinean football ended up in Fiorentina. The experts believe that this is a smart move as he will have enough space to play, which is the most important thing for him at this moment.

Click to continue reading...

Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez believes Javier Mascherano will shrug off the disappointment of his aborted move to Barcelona to help spearhead the Reds' title challenge.
Benitez's side begin their Premier League campaign against Tottenham on Sunday and Benitez is relieved to be able to call upon Argentina captain Mascherano for the match, having lost fellow midfield lynchpin Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. Click to continue reading...

On the big day, we have another guest post for you. This time it's NSC pal, former American Soccer Daily colleague and Holy Cross midfielder Ryan O'Hanlon taking the floor...The past two months have been among the most important months in the history of the U.S. National Team, if not the most important. Click to continue reading...

A larger number of press than usual at USMNT camp today in Miami which tells us about the attention this "summer of soccer" has created.

Several of the media members present are attending training here in Miami tomorrow morning and then flying to Mexico City for game. Several others are staying in this area to cover the game off of Television.

Click to continue reading...

via GETTY

Uh-oh, looks like these two tios won't be having backyard barbecues anytime soon, judging from Ancelotti's curt words.

"Mourinho is a colleague, not a friend. I have friends outside of football he is just a colleague and as such I respect him," the Italian told The Sunday Times.

Click to continue reading...

So it's official Kolo Toure has joined Manchester City.

That it is a sterling piece of business is undeniable around £15m for a player who has lost some of the recovery pace that defined his game and covered for his stray positioning is huge, especially given how he would have missed a large (and critical) chunk of the season with the African Nations Cup coming up.

Click to continue reading...

Newcastle managed only a goalless draw last night against Leeds United. According to the Club Site, Ryan Taylor had the best opportunities for the home team before the break, with Bassong and Coloccini having the best opportunities in the second half. The Northern Echo contains a better report. As reported by my colleague, it appears that [. Click to continue reading...

French International Gael Clichy was upset his recent interview about money and Manchester City was twisted in a way to lead people into believing he was saying ex-colleague Emmanuel Adebayor left the Gunners for Manchester City's money.

Speaking to the club's official website, he said:

I felt really bad about this.

Click to continue reading...

Our old American Soccer Daily colleague and general all-around pal Alex Abnos has dropped by with his take on the aftermath of Sunday's numbing defeat to Mexico. With my U.S, Player Ratings now up at S365, I gladly stepped aside over here at NSC...Despite steady winds, the words on page were visible well down the block from my apartment. Click to continue reading...

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

It seems that America is fallng out of love with David Beckham. Read the article on the former England captain's current troubles at his club LA Galaxy. Vocabulary in bold is explained at the end of the post to help you with comprehension.

Click to continue reading...

One man glad to see the back of Kaka at Milan is Ronaldinho.
The gapped-toothed one' found appearances for Milan hard to come by last year due to his Brazilian colleague. But with Kaka's departure, Ronaldinho has that attacking midfield position all to himself and looks like he wants to keep it with this performance in the friendly on Sunday against Italian minnows Varese. Click to continue reading...