Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been given the FIFA presidential award for services to football. The United manager was presented with the award by FIFA president Sepp Blatter at the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala in Zurich.

Talking about SAF, Blatter said:

"Elite football is all about results and winning and there is no one better at it than him.

It's remarkable how varied soccer teams' attitudes towards possession are. Obviously, no team is more deeply committed to possession in all situations than Barcelona, even though that commitment can cost them, as it did in the recent Clasíco, when Real was handed their early goal via an uncharacteristically dumb and easily-intercepted pass from Víctor Valdés.

Arsenal are visiting Greece for the final group game with top spot secured. Such games can easily become an unwanted, tiresome chore but they can also be an opportunity for the some of the players to show what they are capable of with a chance to perform in a pressure-free environment.

Of course, we don't want the team to be frivolous and roll over but I feel the squad that Wenger has taken to Olympiacos is full of professionals who respect the badge on their shirt and the game/competition.

The agent of Brazil international midfielder Lucas Moura has revealed that there has been contact from both Liverpool and Chelsea as the Premier League pair attempt to lure the youngster to England.
Lucas is considered one of the hottest properties in South America and has consistently been linked with a move to Europe after becoming a regular for Brazil.

Fire's Frank Klopas -- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire have not exactly established continuity with their head coach over the past five seasons. Five different coaches have been at the helm since the start of the 2007 season.
With the Fire's 2011 season in the books, the focus once again turns toward the sidelines, where Fire technical director and interim head coach Frank Klopas posted an 8-5-10 record after replacing Carlos de los Cobos.

Written by MickyDidIt89

Shrouded in a cloak of despondency as I was yesterday, to say nothing of a virus that will almost certainly condemn me to time in intensive care, I retired to bed last night with several bottles of stimulants lapping within, only to awake this morning with the thought that the only way forward was to adopt a siege mentality.

US National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann announced the roster for the October 8th friendly against Honduras and the October 11th friendly against Ecuador. "We would like to continue seeing our players develop through these initial couple of months," Klinsmann said in a press statement. "One important thing is to see continuity in the build-up of our national team and also in the way we work as coaches.

Will Craig Levein name Garry O'Connor in his Scotland squad this week?
Apparently not.
Is that the right decision?
Yes.
Why?
O'Connor's form has been exceptional since he came back to the SPL. He's excelled in a struggling side. Hibs aren't a one man team but they've been pretty close to it at times.

Liverpool legend John Barnes has been delighted with the impact made by Kenny Dalglish since his return to Anfield, saying the combination of an attractive brand of free-flowing football, twinned with some impressive results has meant the Reds can once again be regarded as a force to be reckoned with.

Jamie Carragher has urged his Liverpool team-mates to use their 2-0 victory over Arsenal as a springboard for the season ahead.
The Reds' first ever win at the Emirates Stadium kick-started their campaign after the frustrating opening day stalemate with Sunderland.
"It was a big game for us and a big result," Carragher said.

Alan Pardew craves 'continuity' as Shola Ameobi gets a two year extension to his contract at Newcastle United. 'Evening all, apologies for my absence over the last two days but I've been engaging in a rather offensive activity beginning with 'w'. By which I mean work, lest those with their minds in the gutter start [.

When my Dad first started taking me to Fulham regularly we'd stand more or less in the same place every week. Back then the Hammersmith End was terracing and there was plenty of space to pick where you wanted to be. Having watched my first ever game from the very middle of the terrace the old man clearly decided things were a little too "vocal" for my seven year old ears and we flirted with the posh seats in the Riverside for a couple of games.

Ahead of our game today, Dave Clark from Sounder At Heart has shared his thoughts on Seattle Sounders' chances, their best players and the history of the club.

Scott the Red: Are you excited about the game?

Dave Clark: I'm actually not excited about the game. Friendlies are nice exhibitions and do a decent job of growing the potential fan base here, but I'm a fan of winning trophies (Seattle has two in the last two years) and would rather the organization concentrate on competitive matches while reaching out to people who will actually support a team to which they have local ties rather than one across the pond that happens to be much better, but of little significance locally.

Currently the Carolina RailHawks are the class of the NASL. They sit atop the table in the North American Soccer League after an impressive first half of the season which saw them go on a 10 game win streak and a record 13 unbeaten matches. Naturally, the questions begin to come about the future... Questions about the future of players, of coaches, management and ownership.

Being a Manchester United fan has obvious benefits. There's the trophies, the youth system, the stadium, the nice kit, the fact that you'll never struggle to see a game on television, and the lack of managerial turmoil. And the more of this you have, the easier it gets to take it all for granted even those who lived through the barren years will say silly things after a defeat at Anfield or a home draw against relegation fodder.

Being a Manchester United fan has obvious benefits. There's the trophies, the youth system, the stadium, the nice kit, the fact that you'll never struggle to see a game on television, and the lack of managerial turmoil. And the more of this you have, the easier it gets to take it all for granted even those who lived through the barren years will say silly things after a defeat at Anfield or a home draw against relegation fodder.

Federico Macheda had a dismal time on loan at Sampdoria, our young striker has told Sky Italia he hopes to return to the Premier League next season.

"Psychologically it was not easy because to go from United to Sampdoria and to fight to avoid the drop was a difficult situation," he said.

Federico Macheda had a dismal time on loan at Sampdoria, our young striker has told Sky Italia he hopes to return to the Premier League next season.

"Psychologically it was not easy because to go from United to Sampdoria and to fight to avoid the drop was a difficult situation," he said.

I thought that Peter Kenyon said some stupid things when he was at Chelsea, but the comments by Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay surpass anything that Kenyon ever said.

Gourlay was in Asia ahead of Chelsea's tour there this summer and was asked about Chelsea firing Carlo Ancelotti one year after he won the double.

You'll already be aware that Aston Villa issued an official statement earlier this evening confirming the intention to interview Alex McLeish. Birmingham City have issued their own statement declaring their intention to take legal action in response.

Both statements in full:

Aston Villa Football Club
This is a message to the fans of Aston Villa.

You'll already be aware that Aston Villa issued an official statement earlier this evening confirming the intention to interview Alex McLeish. Birmingham City have issued their own statement declaring their intention to take legal action in response.

Both statements in full:

Aston Villa Football Club
This is a message to the fans of Aston Villa.

Apologies for the delay in bringing you parts three and four of Groan's season review I've just had knee surgery that has spectacularly sapped me of energy. On the mend though now, and confined to sitting down, so I've not really got an excuse anymore, do I? Just to recap, I've already covered the keepers and the defence, and today is all about the midfield.

Here is the purported new Real Madrid away strip by Adidas:
2.5/5 Stars
It's slightly different than what we had previously reported, and I think it's a definite improvement. Still, there's not much going on with this shirt. The black complements the white home strips nicely, and is pretty standard by Real Madrid away kit standards.

Here is the purported new Real Madrid away strip by Adidas:
2.5/5 Stars
It's slightly different than what we had previously reported, and I think it's a definite improvement. Still, there's not much going on with this shirt. The black complements the white home strips nicely, and is pretty standard by Real Madrid away kit standards.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By ANTHONY ZILIS

Chicago Fire interim head coach Frank Klopas said Tuesday that the evaluation process of Carlos de los Cobos, who was fired on Monday, began at the end of the 2010 season, when the Fire failed to make the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history.

Frank Klopas wrapped up his first training session as the "interim head coach" of the Chicago Fire this morning by answering questions regarding the immediate future and direction of the team after yesterday's dismissal of Carlos De Los Cobos. Klopas explained that the move was a "soccer decision" and was not an easy move to make considering that as Technical Director, De Los Cobos was his choice in January 2010.

By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (May 6, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Despite the new name and badge, Sporting Kansas City isn't an expansion team. They didn't have to scrabble together a roster from the rest of the League's unwanted, or hire a new coach, or install a system unfamiliar to their new squad.

Few hours ago, I posted a message on "twitter", my FACEBOOK wall and the blog's FB wall that read
"Major announcement to be made pertaining some restructuring of "BoLASEPaKO.com" setup, stay tuned"
It's not this blog is searching for a new writer as suggested by a friend, nor it was closing down or being bought over by someone (wish it was the case though).

Greetings from fabulous Las Vegas!

i am on vacation visiting my cousins and partying with fellow members of the Winning Ugly crew, so I'm not going to bother with any kind of insight of my own for tomorrow night's game. Never fear, however; I will be hosting a game thread tomorrow.

Anyways, today's Q&A is with Andy Edwards of The Daily Wiz, Sporting KC's blog on SB Nation.

Alberto Aquilani has made it clear he would rather sign a permanent deal with Juventus than return to Liverpool for next season.
quilani has been a success during his loan spell in Turin and Reds manager Kenny Dalglish said on Thursday there was a chance the Italy international "could be a valuable asset" at Anfield next season.

Carlo Ancelotti has been under increasing pressure since we lost to United, coupled with our mediocre Premier League campaign following the success of last season. In an interview featured in the Guardian today Carlo has spoken in response to questions once again of his future. He said:

"I don't know what my future is, At the end of the season, I think the club can decide if they want me to continue or if they want to change.

Anytime Manchester United defeat Arsenal, it's a reason to have some extra pep in your step the next day and likely for the next day after that.

But Saturday's FA Cup quarterfinal win, in the situation it came in and in the manner in which United claimed the spoils, could be considered our most important win of the season to date.

The fourth version of the Portland Timbers takes the field as one of 2 MLS expansion sides for 2011. Along with Pacific Northwest neighbors Vancouver Whitecaps will be looking to mimic the extraordinary success of arch-rivals Seattle Sounders, whose 30,000+ average crowds have set a very high bar.

Surviving the times: How the Bosman killed Ajax is a post from: Just Football

by Mohamed Moallim

When Johan Cruijff left Ajax in 1988, after a falling out with the board over Marco van Basten's departure to AC Milan, it would be easy to say that event overshadow the year a precocious left-full back made his debut for the club.

"This guy I know. He's radical. I wouldn't f*** with him." Charlie Sheen

So off we went to the Seaside, and away we go with three points after a night of unimpressive football. Lacking was the continuity and crisp attacking display from Tuesday's second half in its place a sloppily administered 4-4-2 that the players have yet to grasp.

If you followed the Sounders v Portland Timbers Cascadia Summit game at SoundersFC.com at half time you heard Chris Henderson talk about how a team that wants to compete for the Supporters Shield needs every point it can get. Saturday, after practice Henderson and I talked about competing for multiple trophies and how he helps build a roster to do so.

The final chorus was familiar. Soaked and suffering as the Everton supporters at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday were, they nevertheless hailed David Moyes. The chants of the manager's name are as much of a soundtrack to life at Goodison Park as the Z-Cars anthem. They have been a constant in a reign that has lasted almost nine years, giving the Merseysiders a continuity rivaled only by Arsenal and Manchester United.

The final chorus was familiar. Soaked and suffering as the Everton supporters at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday were, they nevertheless hailed David Moyes. The chants of the manager's name are as much of a soundtrack to life at Goodison Park as the Z-Cars anthem. They have been a constant in a reign that has lasted almost nine years, giving the Merseysiders a continuity rivaled only by Arsenal and Manchester United.

Having had their moments of shock, anger and venting on message boards and blogs, soccer fans who are certain the new North American Soccer League is the way forward are now taking their message directly to the head man at US Soccer, Sunil Gulati. In response to USSF's revoking of sanctioning for the NASL for the 2011 season, they've sent Gulati a letter, which you can read in its entirety here or with my snarky comments after the jump.

As supporters of competing teams we often disagree with one another. That's part of the fun of supporting your NASL team, to hate the other and their fans. There are times however that we must come together. This is one of those times.
USSF has removed the Division 2 sanctioning for our league, the NASL.