So, in case you have resided in a cave on the large rock in outer space formerly known as planet Pluto, Real Madrid played Barcelona in the 2nd leg of the Copa del Rey. Based on secondhand accounts, 'twas a most enjoyable spectacle. Teams scored goals. Teams kicked soccer balls. Teams ran. At the end of 90 minutes, the two teams tied 2-2.

This weekend saw lots of action in the Serie A: a furious downpour which forced the suspension of a game; a feisty, highly-anticipated derby; and some very decisive wins. The result? The Serie A standings have been, to borrow from the late, great Elvis Presley, "all shook up"!

On Saturday, Roma travelled South to Sicily to take on Catania.

NSCAA CONVENTION AND MLS SUPERDRAFT
The 2012 NSCAA Convention will take place January 11-15 in Kansas City MO. Included in this will be the MLS SuperDraft on Thu Jan 12.
dN
du Nord will be there. Will you? Come find me!
dN
Watch the MLS SuperDraft on Wed - 11am CT on ESPN2 and ESPN3.

STARTERS
Say hello to Minnesota Stars FC:
-Plus a nice video clip used at the unveiling.
dN
Yesterday a reader posed this question in the comments section: "what can we do to help the NASL survive and grow in 2012?

People always knock Arsenal fans for being as quiet as a library that is situated in a cemetery but I think that is unfair.
Sure, the Emirates probably doesn't have the greatest atmosphere in the world, but it has it's moments though.
Who can forget how the place was rock and rolling louder than an Elvis Presley concert when Manchester United came in the Champions League semi-final?

Is anybody else tickled by this careening notion that Jurgen Klinsmann is some tactical nincompoop?

As the story goes, Klinsmann was a kind of inspirational cheerleader in his days with the German national team – a darn successful time, it must be said. Accounts credit the German innovator with shaking up a rigid cultural order through bright, modern and clever techniques on the training ground and behind the scenes.

If you're like me, the news that Leyton Orient's players would be going to Vegas as reward for their 1-1 draw with Arsenal was met with several minutes of blank stares.

But...but...it's Vegas. No football team could possibly survive that midseason.

And the record shall remain unbroken their celebratory romp through Sin City will smartly come after the season.

Check out Jamie Sotonoff's article in the Daily Herald as he brings up the Chicago Riot's "Elvis Night" taking place this Sunday at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park. Daily Herald photographer Daniel White also dropped by to take some photos of an Elvis Presley-clad Riot head coach Jeff Kraft, and Elvis Costello-wannabe Marco Sullo.

View full size photo »

With the holiday season over, the Chicago Riot eye a return to some Major Indoor Soccer League action. Tonight the Riot will take on the Missouri Comets at 7:35 PM CST in Independence, Missouri.