STARTERS
Medio Tiempo with an article saying CONMEBOL is making a huge proposal to CONCACAF for the 100th Anniversary of CONMEBOL in 2016 - scrap the Copa America, scrap the Gold Cup and hold 1 joint tournament in the United States with 10 CONMEBOL teams and 8 CONCACAF teams!

photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

Conmebol's Copa America is the oldest international continental tournament in soccer, and 2016 will mark its 100th birthday.

That could also be the year that many American soccer fans have a dream come true.

According to Mexican outlet mediotiempo.

The president of the Ecuadorian football federation suggests that the tournament would feature 16 teams, six of whom would come from CONCACAF. "I have no doubt that the obstacles are being overcome," Luis Chiriboga is quoted as saying."

United States, Mexico Both Reportedly In Running To Host 2016 Copa America - SBNation.

There are plenty of people, not least within the governing bodies of football itself, who would have it that football and politics don't mix. This is, of course, bunkum, whether we like it or not. The game holds such influence over so many people that it sometimes seems impossible for politicians not to be able to link the two, from the relatively harmless, "You only win the World Cup under Labour" slogans of Harold Wilson's British government of the late 1960s to the altogether more sinister machinations of the state organisations and their leaders that ran clubs in Eastern Europe during the Cold War.

January is treating TSG like Gio Dos Santos doing the US at the 2011 Gold Cup. Unmercifully. Ouch.

Parkhurst gets his shot?

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The US attempts to break down Venezuela at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona Saturday night 6pm PT.

Fifa's World Rankings for January 2012 were published yesterday at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland.
2010 World Cup winners Spain remain on top followed by the Netherlands, Germany and Copa America champs Uruguay. England are in 5th.
Ranking Team
1 Spain
2 Netherlands
3 Germany
4 Uruguay
5 England
6 Brazil
7 Portugal
8 Croatia
9 Italy
10 Argentina
11 Denmark
12 Chile
13 Russia
14 Greece
15 France
16 Switzerland
17 Sweden
18 Côte d'Ivoire
19 Bosnia-Herzegovina
19 Japan
Full world rankings
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Nery Castillo sigue siendo futbolista aunque muchos no lo crean. Obviamente sin el mismo nivel que alguna vez tuvo y demostró con creces en el Olympiakos donde ganó seis ligas griegas y destacó no sólo en la liga de ese país, sino también en la Champions League.

Hoy su carta ya no vale los 15 millones de euros que pagó el Shakhtar Donetsk en el verano de 2007 al Olympiakos, tras el declive de su carrera está tasado en sólo 2,5 millones de euros – y eso que en un momento valía todavía menos – a sus 27 años, edad dónde debería tener una madurez futbolística que lo hiciera estar en el mejor momento de su carrera, pero con él ha sucedido todo lo contrario.

A comfortable scoreline and advancement to the next round of the FA Cup. Struggling players getting on the scoresheet. A good day, then. Even a great day. When absolutely nothing went wrong and no bad news came out...

* Luis Suarez served the second match of his eight-game ban, Andy Carroll scored, and Stewart Downing broke his 22-match scoring drought.

On this week's main listening report we look back at some of the big stories from the football world in 2011. This is part two which will focus on July to December.

By CALEB SONNELAND

The Philadelphia Union continue their busy offseason by adding Costa Rican defender Porfirio Lopez from Chinese side Dalian Haichang.

Lopez, a 26-year-old left back, was most recently on loan at Costa Rican side Alajuelense, where he was a part of the team's back-to-back Apertura and Clausura championship teams.

Fifa's World Rankings for December 2011 were published today at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland.
2010 World Cup winners Spain remain on top followed by the Netherlands, Germany and Copa America champs Uruguay. England are in 5th.
Ranking Team
1 Spain
2 Netherlands
3 Germany
4 Uruguay
5 England
6 Brazil
7 Portugal
8 Croatia
9 Italy
10 Argentina
11 Denmark
12 Russia
13 Chile
14 Greece
15 France
16 Côte d'Ivoire
17 Switzerland
18 Sweden
19 Japan
20 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Full world rankings
Previous Fifa World Rankings
Bet with Bet 365
Soccer betting tips
Soccer Books & DVDs
Tags
Soccer News soccer football fifa

Fifa's World Rankings for December 2011 were published today at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland.
2010 World Cup winners Spain remain on top followed by the Netherlands, Germany and Copa America champs Uruguay. England are in 5th.
Ranking Team
1 Spain
2 Netherlands
3 Germany
4 Uruguay
5 England
6 Brazil
7 Portugal
8 Croatia
9 Italy
10 Argentina
11 Denmark
12 Russia
13 Chile
14 Greece
15 France
16 Côte d'Ivoire
17 Switzerland
18 Sweden
19 Japan
20 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Full world rankings
Previous Fifa World Rankings
Bet with Bet 365
Soccer betting tips
Soccer Books & DVDs
Tags
Soccer News soccer football fifa

By Eric Beard

Argentine fútbol has been suffering. The country's national team failed to live up to the hype in Copa America this past summer, while Brazil's emergence as an economic power has spurred the Brasileiro to new financial and competitive heights.

One of the best things that happened in the recent years in the Football world is the return of the big giant, Uruguay. Personally, I was surprised but mesmerized with that strong return. I thought Uruguay football was only a history and will never make it again, especially with a very pale qualifying results to the World Cup.

The lottery to allocation Lee Nguyen to an MLS team is set to talk place tomorrow. Rumor is that all the teams in the league have applied to be in the lottery. For those that don't know, the lottery is based off of a team's record over the last season. That being said, with Sporting KC finishing 5th in the regular season last year, their chances are not great.

File Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

In Thursday's press conference, Peter Nowak reiterated a theme that he has stressed since the end of the season: he is looking to create competition among positions within the squad. "The more guys we have in [camp] being involved with the team and the team-mentality is better and will help us to have better results.

Liverpool are the latest club to be linked with a move for Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin who has reiterated his desire to move to the Premier League.
The Uruguay international was strongly linked with a switch to Chelsea over the summer but it appears as though Andre Villas-Boas will now move to sign the cheaper option in Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill.

The Philadelphia Union announced on Wednesday that they have acquired 21-year-old Costa Rican international striker Josue Martinez from Club Deportivo Saprissa.

According to the announcement, "The forward will be available upon receipt of his P-1Visa and International Transfer Certificate. Per MLS and Club policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

The Philadelphia Union added a young, promising attacking piece on Wednesday by acquiring 21-year-old Costa Rican forward Josue Martinez from CD Saprissa.

Martinez brings a strong pedigree and attacking flair to the Union, where he joins a strikeforce that boasts other up-and-comers Danny Mwanga and Jack McInerney in addition to stalwart Sebastien Le Toux.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Lee Nguyen's long journey is leading back home.

Nguyen, a Texas native, signed a multi-year deal with MLS on Tuesday, bringing a one-time U.S. attacking prospect to the league after six years overseas. Nguyen appeared three times in 2007 for the U.

Liverpool have enjoyed a decent spell of form in recent weeks and manager Kenny Dalglish is determined to keep the momentum going by brining in reinforcements in January.
The Kop boss is reportedly interested in Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Jadson who was close to sealing a move to the Premier League in the summer when Arsenal were linked with the Brazilian.

Photo by Bernd Feil/ISIphotos.com

The U.S. men's national team's January camp appears to be culminating with two matches close to the Equator.

According to numerous reports, Venezuela will host the U.S. national team in a friendly on January 21. The prospective match comes days before another reported friendly, which pits the United States against Panama in Panama City on January 25.

Confused a little?
Thanks to The Front Men for tipping this off. Word out of Peru is that Sporting Kansas City is after Sporting Cristal's midfielder, Carlos Lobaton. Lobaton is a Peruvian international with 20 caps for Peru so far. He's played 220 games for Cristal since 2005. Before that he'd for 5 other Peruvian clubs since beginning his professional career in 1998.

Manager Craig Levein has revealed Scotland missed the opportunity to persuade Sebastian Coates to play for their national side – but are determined not to miss out on Liverpool FC player Jonjo Shelvey.
Levein says Scottish Football Association officials have already been in contact with Jonjo Shelvey about him changing football allegiance from England.

Costa Rica vs Spain 2011 Highlights 2-2 Video Friendly goals Brenes Campbell Silva Villa is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Costa Rica vs Spain 2011 Highlights 2-2 Video Friendly goals Brenes Campbell Silva Villa is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Costa Rica vs Spain 2011 ( CRC Spain video below) Final score and result:- Costa Rica vs Spain 2-2 ( Brenes, Campbell/ David Silva, David Villa) Estadio Nacional de Costa [.

Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez has said Luis Suarez will play no part in today's friendly against Italy after he suffered a knock during his four goal starring role in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying 4-0 win over Chile on Saturday.
"Suarez took a knock against Chile and is not in the best shape," Tabarez said on the eve of the game.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has declared himself fit to face Italy in Uruguay's friendly on Tuesday - but admits he already has one eye on the weekend clash with Chelsea.
The 24-year-old scored all the goals in Friday's 4-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Chile in Montevideo but came off 13 minutes from the end with a minor back complaint.

Liverpool forward Luis Suarez has laughed off comparisons with Barcelona forward and fellow South American Lionel Messi.
Suarez has been one of the best players in the Premier League since joining the Merseyside giants in January from Dutch giants Ajax and was also instrumental in winning the Copa America with Uruguay in the summer.

By JOEY SAMUEL

When Argentina opened its campaign to qualify for the 2014 World Cup with a commanding 4-1 win over Chile, things looked to be back on track for the Albiceleste after a disastrous 2011 Copa America.

But only two games later, that optimism has completely faded away.

Argentina vs Bolivia 2011 Highlights 1-1 Video Goals Martins Lavezzi WC 2014 Qualifier is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Argentina vs Bolivia 2011 Highlights 1-1 Video Goals Martins Lavezzi WC 2014 Qualifier is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Argentina vs Bolivia 2011 ( Argentina vs Bolivia 2014 WC Qualifying) Final score and result:- Argentina vs Bolivia 1-1 ( Ezequiel Lavezzi/ Marcelo Martins) Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti- WC Qualifying [.

Football federations are clueless at best, corrupt at worst, and in other breaking news the sky is blue. At least when it's not overcast. Though even then it's probably blue above the clouds. Unless there are no planes flying overhead and so nobody to see it, because then you're getting into trees falling in the forest territory.

Luis Suarez's sensational first year at Liverpool has seen him emerge as a contender for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.
The Uruguayan's scintillating form for both club and country has led to countless plaudits over the past 12 months, culminating in his inclusion in a 23-man short-list.
The No.

One of my favorite World Cup tournaments was that of 1994 where we saw the return of the beautiful football with many great teams, including Brazil and Argentina, Mexico even Colombia despite their big upset. It is a lot of fun to watch the performance of the great performing teams just few months or one year before the big tournament.

Fifa's World Rankings for October 2011 were published today at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland.
2010 World Cup winners Spain are on top followed by the Netherlands, Germany and Copa America champs Uruguay. England are in 7th.
Ranking Team
1 Spain
2 Netherlands
3 Germany
4 Uruguay
5 Brazil
6 Italy
7 England
8 Greece
8 Portugal
10 Argentina
10 Denmark
12 Croatia
13 Russia
14 Sweden
15 France
16 Chile
17 Japan
18 Switzerland
19 Côte d'Ivoire
20 Australia
Full world rankings
Previous Fifa World Rankings
Bet with Bet 365
Soccer betting tips
Soccer Books & DVDs
Tags
Soccer News soccer football fifa

Mexico vs Brazil 2011 Highlights 1-2 Video Goals Score Luiz Ronaldinho Marcelo is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Mexico vs Brazil 2011 Highlights 1-2 Video Goals Score Luiz Ronaldinho Marcelo is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Mexico vs Brazil 2011 ( El Tri vs Brasil 2011) Score and result:- Mexico vs Brazil 1-2 ( David Luiz Own goal/ Ronaldinho, Marcelo) Estadio Corona, Torreon, Mexico- 11 October, 2011 Ten [.

By Alan Duffy

They may have made a total hash of their recent Copa America appearance, going out in the quarter-finals, but Argentina look to be getting back on track for their World Cup qualifying campaign.

The star-studded side played their first match of the campaign at the weekend, and demolished an attacking Chile side who were caught out on the break time and time again.

John Scales is confident Sebastian Coates has all the attributes to be a big success in a Liverpool shirt, and is convinced he will go from strength to strength under the influence of the Reds' defensive stalwart Jamie Carragher.
The highly-rated Uruguayan international arrived at Anfield on the back of an impressive Copa America having been crowned the young player of the tournament - just one example of why the former Liverpool defender believes the 21-year-old can play a big part in the club's future.

By JOEY SAMUEL

Last summer, Uruguay shocked the world by advancing all the way to the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup. On Friday, they started their path to the next World Cup in style.

Uruguay, which also won the 2011 Copa America this summer, opened their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign in CONMEBOL with a 4-2 win over Bolivia.

Alicia Ratterree of The Goat Parade, SB Nation's Chivas USA blog, and I exchanged three questions a piece ahead of tomorrow night's Union-CUSA match at PPL Park. Read my responses to Alicia questions by heading to The Goat Parade.

tBG: What's gotten into Juan Pablo Angel? Did a "cross"-city move actually rejuvenate his career, or is there another explanation - tactically, perhaps - for his great form?

194 - ciento noventa y cuatro (by Dominic Vieira)

¿Quién es? ¿Cómo lo haces?

Me llamo Lionel Messi y juego fútbol. Nada más.

The wonder wizard scored his 193rd and 194th goal in Belarus as the defending champions thumped BATE Borisov 5-0.