Photo by ISIphotos.com

It is the day after the U.S. national team's impressive 3-2 comeback victory in Honduras and American fans woke up today to the reality that the USA has qualified for the 2010 World Cup.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Don't look now, but here comes the Houston Dynamo.

Okay, so beating an injury-riddled New England team isn't the ultimate proof that Dom Kinnear's squad is back in business, but two straight wins and three straight shutouts should have fans in Houston excited that maybe, just maybe, the Dynamo is ready to rise and be a power in the West again.

Real Madrid defender Pepe doesn't know what happened, but he does not that he lost his mind.

The Portuguese international is speaking with remorse and doubts about whether he wants to play soccer anymore following the ugly scenes that saw him sent off after kicking an opponent multiple times and then punching another opponent.

His name is Federico Macheda and the chances are good you never heard of him before Sunday.

If you were lucky enough to catch Manchester United's thrilling 3-2 comeback victory vs. Aston Villa you already know all about the 17-year-old Italian striker. A former Lazio youth player, Macheda made his EPL debut an unforgettable one, scoring a beautiful game-winning goal on Sunday that could wind up helping Manchester United repeat as champions of the English Premier League.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

When the 2009 MLS season got underway, things weren't going so hot for former MLS Cup champions D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo.

PHILADELPHIA — What was essentially a third string U.S. national soccer team remain in contention to win their third straight CONCACAF Gold Cup following a 2-1 comeback victory over Panama last night. Kenny Cooper's penalty kick in the 105th minute completed the victory and a secured a semifinal berth against Honduras for the tournament's host nation.

It is a relatively light day of soccer action this Sunday, but as always, there are still some matches worth taking in from all over the globe.

Real Madrid returns to action today for the first time since its stunning comeback victory vs. Getafe (and first since Pepe's freakout). Toronto FC is back in action for the first game of the post-John Carver era, and yes, D.

Eric Avila's second half heroics led to a well-earned 2-1 comeback victory for FC Dallas over Columbus Crew Saturday night at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco. With FC Dallas trailing 1-0 deep into the second half, Avila struck gold only four minutes after running onto the pitch, curling a lovely shot inside the far post.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Qualifying for the 2010 World Cup was a two-year process that the U.S. men's national team capped with an unforgettable comeback victory in Honduras and a thrilling 2-2 tie vs. Costa Rica last week. Those results helped the Americans finish first in the CONCACAF Hexagonal.

Fernando Torres is determined to inspire Liverpool to victory over Chelsea as a tribute to the 96 fans who died at Hillsborough.
The Spanish striker is confident Liverpool can overcome the 3-1 first-leg deficit at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, feeling it would be a fitting tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster which marks its 20th anniversary on Wednesday.

What did you miss in the football world yesterday? Shame on you if you did miss any of these things, but I'm here to catch you up in case you did.

Where Were You on April 15, 1989?

Wednesday was the 20th anniversary of one of, if not the worst, days in the history of football, and many around the world (including Steven Gerrard) no doubt reflected on where they were that fateful day when 96 Liverpool fans died at Hillsborough.

No sport changes coaches as much as football and with the World Cup over a year away, moves are being made in the hopes that a teams fortunes will take a positive turn towards World Cup qualification. Usually, the move that's made is a change at the top of the coaching ladder. After this past round of qualifying matches some coaching changes occurred that could change the fortunes of their respective teams.

Real Madrid defender Pepe doesn't know what happened, but he does know that he lost his mind.

The Portuguese international is speaking with remorse and doubts about whether he wants to play soccer anymore following the ugly scenes that saw him sent off after kicking an opponent multiple times and then punching another opponent.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

When the 2009 MLS season got underway, things weren't going so hot for former MLS Cup champions D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted the second of two penalty kicks in second-half stoppage time to help give the Chicago Fire an improbable 3-2 comeback victory against Chivas USA on Thursday night.

The match ended in controversy when referee Terry Vaughn awarded a questionable penalty on an apparent push of Brian McBride by Mariano Trujillo in the penalty area.

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Seven games. Six shutouts. 22 goals.

Those are just some of the more interesting numbers that describe Wednesday's UEFA World Cup qualifiers. But the midweek action wasn't just about numbers as some intriguing story-lines developed, including England getting one step closer to South Africa, Sweden keeping themselves from the brink of elimination and a former American youth player scoring his first international goal.

The Columbus Crew-Toronto FC rivalry has developed into one of the better ones in the league, due in no small part to the scores of TFC fans who make the trip down to Ohio. Those fans were sent home sad on Saturday night when Jason Garey headed home a last-second game-winning goal to give Columbus a 3-2 victory and sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Qualifying for the 2010 World Cup was a two-year process that the U.S. men's national team capped with an unforgettable comeback victory in Honduras and a thrilling 2-2 tie vs. Costa Rica last week. Those results helped the Americans finish first in the CONCACAF Hexagonal.

His name is Federico Macheda and the chances are good you never heard of him before Sunday.

If you were lucky enough to catch Manchester United's thrilling 3-2 comeback victory vs. Aston Villa you already know all about the 17-year-old Italian striker. A former Lazio youth player, Macheda made his EPL debut an unforgettable one, scoring a beautiful game-winning goal on Sunday that could wind up helping Manchester United repeat as champions of the English Premier League.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Just when you think Jaime Moreno is slowing down, he steps up and delivers a performance like the one on Saturday.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Just when you think Jaime Moreno is slowing down, he steps up and delivers a performance like the one on Saturday.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Don't look now, but here comes the Houston Dynamo.

Okay, so beating an injury-riddled New England team isn't the ultimate proof that Dom Kinnear's squad is back in business, but two straight wins and three straight shutouts should have fans in Houston excited that maybe, just maybe, the Dynamo is ready to rise and be a power in the West again.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco converted the second of two penalty kicks in second-half stoppage time to help give the Chicago Fire an improbable 3-2 comeback victory against Chivas USA on Thursday night.

The match ended in controversy when referee Terry Vaughn awarded a questionable penalty on an apparent push of Brian McBride by Mariano Trujillo in the penalty area.

The New York Red Bulls are in Gillette Stadium today to take on the New England Revolution (6pm, MSG) in what has to be considered a must-win game if the Red Bulls are to try and keep their faint playoff hopes alive.

Yes, it is only June 7th, but the Red Bulls are losing more and more ground in the Eastern Conference standings and a loss to the Revs today will bury New York even deeper in the basement.

by GIANFRANCO PANIZO

Seven games. Six shutouts. 22 goals.

Those are just some of the more interesting numbers that describe Wednesday's UEFA World Cup qualifiers. But the midweek action wasn't just about numbers as some intriguing story-lines developed, including England getting one step closer to South Africa, Sweden keeping themselves from the brink of elimination and a former American youth player scoring his first international goal.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

It is the day after the U.S. national team's impressive 3-2 comeback victory in Honduras and American fans woke up today to the reality that the USA has qualified for the 2010 World Cup.

AP Photo/Daniela Santoni

The best way to sum up the action this past weekend is more of the same. The top 4 remain the top 4 (with one switch) and those looking in danger of relegation still look in danger of relegation. However, a few major lessons were learned this week on (and off) the pitch.

FC Barcelona topped Group F after a 2-1 comeback victory against Dynamo Kiev. Barca went down a goal down in the 2nd minute of play but goals from Xavi and Messi saw Barca registering a well deserved victory at Kiev. Inter meanwhile beat Rubin Kazan 2-0 at San Siro and qualified along with Barca for the knowckout stage.