First off, let me apologize for not having a live-blog for the game. I had to drive back to my parent's house for the Thanksgiving holiday, and was not able to get back until the game was well under way, and my current internet (damn you parents) is spotty as all hell.

Second, I was wrong.

Click to continue reading...

How disappointing was that? Made all the worse by the frenzy of expectation that we whipped ourselves into. I'm more stunned than angry, maybe anger will come later but right now I am walking around in a daze.

I reckon no matter what combination of player you hoped to see yesterday, you were catered for; if you were one of those that wanted Nasri in place of Diaby, you got it; if you wanted to see Ramsey given more game time than Denilson, you got it; if you thought that the combination of Fabregas, Arshavin, Nasri, Rosicky would be unstoppable, you got it, if you thought Vela and Walcott would make the difference, you got it; if you thought Song was too important to rest, you got it, if you thought that Silvestre shouldn't be anywhere near the first team, you got it.

Click to continue reading...

In the furious neverending November rain, Fulham made one mistake and lost the game. James McFadden, a quality player in an average Birmingham side, clipped a ball over the Fulham back four to Lee Bowyer, Bowyer flipped the ball over Mark Schwarzer, and the ball nestled in the net.� 1-0.� � Bowyer was clean through because only three of the Fulham back four pushed up at the same time, Brede Hangeland delaying for a split second that ruined everything.

Click to continue reading...

The royal blue version of the Nike Inter Milan hoodie

Inter Milan have been Italian champions four years in a row, and they look prime to capture their fifth scudetto. Nike's Inter Milan Hoodie is not only a way to support Italy's top club, but it also allows you to stay warm, whether you're on the training ground practicing free kicks, or whether you're just watching football on the couch.

Click to continue reading...

Pepe Reina is the "tower of strength" that has already prevented Liverpool's season from heading into oblivion.
That's the verdict of Alan Hansen, who believes the Spain international is now challenging Ray Clemence for the title of the club's greatest-ever goalkeeper.
Liverpool entertain Manchester City on Saturday having suffered a run of just one win in nine games to slip to seventh in the Premier League standings. Click to continue reading...

Now we start entering the realm of players with playing time. Of guys that may have value to other clubs in trade, and quite possibly seeing the guy that Philadelphia takes in the Expansion Draft later this month. This collection of players are in two sets.

The first set are two USL Sounders, and the second two players are young talents with promise, but who have lacked the playing time to showcase their reputations in competitive matches.

Click to continue reading...

The Major League Soccer Playoffs had its Conference Finals this weekend as the LA Galaxy hosted the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference and Real Salt Lake traveled to Chicago Fire in the Eastern Conference. The first match was the Dynamo and Galaxy who played on Friday, November 13, 2009. Who won and what happened in the match?

Click to continue reading...

When Owen Hargreaves finally returns from injury, in what may be his last chance to achieve his prime, United manager Alex Ferguson can again field his strongest midfield.
But the Englishman, so influential in United's 2008 European double-winning season, is not the only significant addition required to create United's most balanced side. Click to continue reading...

Brisbane Roar are on track for a full squad v Melbourne Victory next Saturday 6pm. The international has helped a lot. And Ange is putting the time to good use - slowing down the tempo to improve the defence and accuracy of crosses into the box.
Perhaps we could see Henrique, Reinaldo, Van Dijk, Mitch and Tommy on the park together? Click to continue reading...

I probably filled my quota of Major League references with the one about Jobu a few weeks ago. I apologize to international readers and those who aren't connoisseurs of marvelously cheesy sports movies, but this is too apt. Plus, it's Major League 2.
Just like weak-hitting, voodoo apostate Pedro Cerrano, right now, Liverpool has no marbles. Click to continue reading...

Milan has really jumped up the table these past few weeks. After the horrible start where everyone condemned the Rossoneri to a season of misery, Leonardo's squad has made a complete turnaround, finally playing well and becoming contenders once again. They now find themselves 5 points behind leaders Inter and only 2 behind Juventus and saying the word Scudetto shouldn't be met with laughter.

Click to continue reading...

‘In Flanders fields the poppies blow.� Between the crosses, row on row...'

91 years ago today, World War 1 hostilities ended. To commemorate the anniversary, most Premier League clubs will be sporting fresh kits this weekend emblazoned with the poppy emblem. Only three out of the twenty clubs in the league are refusing to conform to public sentiment: Manchester United, Liverpool and Bolton.

Click to continue reading...

IT'S a cliche to say that a loss is disappointing. EVERY loss is disappointing, from the big thrashings to the winner in the 94th minute.
But what is different is the reasons for the disappointment, well usually.
Yesterday Perth Glory lost 2-1 to Melbourne Victory and it's the third successive lost for the boys in Purple. Click to continue reading...

If the Hammers think that coming back to draw with Arsenal represent the proverbial "turn the corner" then the good work must be continued with another fine display against Sunderland. Playing at the Stadium of Light is not an easy task as the Black Cats have very passionate fans which can prove to be the 12th man for the home side. Click to continue reading...

tonight's match really is a great opportunity for slick rick.

What I love about cup games is that you really get to see where the priorities lie for a manager depending on the squad that hits the field. You also get to see the depth of a squad, (if indeed there is any FULHAM). For me personally, I really enjoy watching cup competitions because despite the economic pedestal the league and top-tier european competition look down loftily from, the cup competitions have a certain 'je nais sais quois' that is emblematic of what football is really all about.

Click to continue reading...

A few weeks ago we hit Burnley for five despite not playing particularly well; this time our scratchy performance did not have a five-goal veil to mask it.

Bravo Stoke

Stoke, labouring under the misapprehension that cracks would appear in the sky and the apocalypse hasten if they let the ball ever come into contact with grass, showed precious little attacking intent until we were down to ten men.

Click to continue reading...

Link:

A shambolic display with inept defending. Crosses, corners, and long balls and and out of position Tim Howard in each situation. To be fair to him, the defense gave no help. It was so bad that fans started exiting the stadium after the fourth goal in the 51st minute. Moyes looked like he has swallowed a toad.

Click to continue reading...

The Crew outshot United 8-2 in front of 16,000 rain soaked fans last night at RFK Stadium.

None of The Massive's shots found the net.

Columbus, who needed the win to secure their second-straight Supporter's Shield, played as sloppy as the marsh-like field. There was little spark to be found all night, and the few times The Crew threatened to score the chance was squandered.

Click to continue reading...

The 2-0 first-half deficit made it seem unlikely, but the US were able to battle back to match points with Mexico, and therefore, win the group.� Well done, boys!� Here are some thoughts from the game:

-It was great to see the US create so many chances.� You'd like to see us finish more of those (obviously), but on another day, it could have easily been 5-2.

Click to continue reading...

That was bizarre. But it ended up being bizarre with a good ending, so whatevs.

With a shocking last second goal from Jonathan Bornstein off a corner, the US came back to draw 2-2 with a time wastey Costa Rica and finish atop the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying group. Atrocious defensive play marred the first half for the US and put them in that 2-0 hole, but their tenacity down the stretch was admirable and perhaps a credit to their desire to put a smile on Charlie Davies' face.

Click to continue reading...

The Swope Park Rangers (the Wizards reserves) defeated the US Under 17 national team tonight out at the Swope Park training complex 3-0 on goals by Roger Espinoza, Herculez Gomez, and Kevin Souter. The Rangers dominated their younger opponents for much of the game, but the 17's still did well throughout, having their moments. Click to continue reading...

Wheel of Fortune
The 2008/09 season has been a mixed bag for Lewes FC to say the least. The club have been beset by off the field problems (mainly financial) on almost a weekly basis. There are reasons to be cheerful down at the Dripping Pan though and for now let's dwell on the positives. Click to continue reading...

"Thank you NCNB for picking me twice!" - M. Petrov
Our Funny Feeling Friday selection this week is Manchester City's winger Martin Petrov. Petrov (I think) is our first ever repeat Funny Feeling Friday recipient.
Petrov is fit and Robinho is not. The Brazilian is still out for 3 more weeks with a right ankle problem. Click to continue reading...

Robin van Persie inspired Arsenal to an impressive win over Olympiakos as the Gunners fluent football was too good for the Greeks.
_______________________________________________________________________________

How do Arsenal propose to become more ruthless? By ditching the goalpoacher of course.

Click to continue reading...

Last night's game in Chicago was yet another episode in frustration for Toronto FC. TFC need every point they can get to cling to their slim chance of making the playoffs, and unfortunately they gave up two of them last night.

The frustrating part is that Chicago was definitely beatable, but Toronto still managed to squander the lead twice in the game and may now be too far out of the playoff race to catch up.

Click to continue reading...

Saturday's Premier League action provided us with some very entertaining action with no shortage of goals. While the Premier League table once again has a familiar look, the attacking quality this weekend has compensated for this.

Firstly the new league leaders Manchester United grabbed a two goal win over Stoke.

Click to continue reading...

By definition, the Richie Award goes to the most underrated player on the United roster. The award's namesake Richie Williams was probably the hardest working player on our championship teams in the 90s, but flew mostly under the radar when compared to the better known players.
Last year's winner by a wide margin was Clyde Simms, earning over 50% of the vote. Click to continue reading...

Ben Foster has been on the receiving end of plenty of flack following our 4-3 victory over City yesterday but one of our favourite bloggers, Penguin United, is fighting his corner.

So that's it. It's official, apparently. If you read the papers and the blogs today, Ben Foster is not good enough for United, and never will be.

Click to continue reading...

The Manchester derby was an enthralling affair providing us with one of the games of the season. The momentum ebbed and flowed between the two teams throughout as both searched for the upper hand on the other. Before kick off we were greeted with the news Carlos Tevez would start, which added even more spice to the game.

Click to continue reading...

The lunchtime kickoff match was as good as advertised. Both teams came into the match with something to prove. Burnley had won eight straight matches at Turf Moor dating back to last season. Sunderland, meanwhile, had only scored two goals in their last nine away matches in the Premier League.

Click to continue reading...

Am I alone in being concerned about Gael Clichy who seems to be rushing into tackles like a youth player and losing his positional awareness? I rate the player very highly and see him as potential leadership material when Fabregas departs for Barcelona. He links well down the flanks and gives the team much needed width, but his early performances this season have worried me.

Click to continue reading...

This 1-0 win reminded me a bit of another 1-0 win less than a week ago against the Wizards. United was clearly the better team, and our defense did well in shutting down some opportunities, but a big part of the victory can also be attributed to a weaker team failing to get any quality shots on target. Click to continue reading...

Some important comments to mention about yesterday's match.

Firstly, our to team put on a good performance. Even now more can be improved on. but it was a solid game for the most part with some enjoyable football.

This is definately a good result. On paper, Iraklis are certainly not a pushover this year with some pretty impressive signings being made for them over the summer.

Click to continue reading...

Manchester City away from home last season was when we really hit the bottom and you would expect to see changes and lessons learned after that.

Unfortunately, not for us. Same old players, same old mistakes, same old tactics and same old players out of position. I wish I could say I don't know why Nicklas Bendtner, who clearly said he hates to play on the wing and did so well as a central striker for Denmark was played on the right, but I have the answer.

Click to continue reading...

�

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Photo by ISIphotos.com

The U.S. national team trailed early and were in jeopardy of dropping a� decision that could have put a severe dent into its World Cup qualifying hopes.

Click to continue reading...