My introduction to Daniele De Rossi was the vicious elbow that he threw at Brian McBride,
leaving his face bloody in the USA vs Italy match in the 2006 World Cup. It left a negative
impression of him but here is De Rossi doing something rare in football nowadays, acknowledging
that he used his hand to score a goal against Serie side Messina.
Image via Wikipedia It's a shock and disbelief for many of the supporters and Irish fans where
Ireland's hopes were dashed after the equalizer by William Gallas. Before crossing the ball Thierry
Henry was seen to handle the ball twice which was not observed by the sideline officials and
resulted in the equalizer. Click to continue reading...
Thierry Henry clearly handled Florent Malouda's delivery and then picked out Gallas in front of
goal, who drove home the equalizer in extra time. The referee Martin Hansson and his assistant did
not see the infraction.
The goal nullified Robbie Keane's 32nd minute opener. And cruelly snuffed out Ireland's
chances.
The UEFA 2010 World Cup Qualifying Playoffs had their second legs on Wednesday, November 18,
2009. One of the match-ups was the Republic of Ireland v France that was 0-1 after the first leg.
The Irish were the clear underdog with a 0-1 deficit after the first leg and having to travel to
France for the second leg.
Former Galaxy player and goal hero Ned Grabavoy, left, and Real Salt Lake, which beat the
Chicago Fire on penalty kicks to become Eastern Conference champions (let's get rid of these silly
conferences based on irrelevant geography, MLS) will face the Galaxy Sunday in Seattle.
Grabavoy scored the winning goal just before the picture was taken above, although former Galaxy
striker Robbie Findley almost scored in the dying moments of regulation time only to be denied by
Palos Verdes Peninsula product John Thorrington.
Costa Rica's new coach Rene Simoes has had a mixed bag of results. The Ticos beat his old team,
Trinidad and Tobago handily, 4-0. The USA were able to claw back a draw against them with Jonathan
Bornstein's equalizer (which made him a hero in Honduras) at RFK stadium.
However, the Ticos suffered a setback at home against Uruguay in the playoffs to decide the
World Cup spot between the 4th placed CONCACAF and 5th placed CONMEBOL teams.
Slovakia and the United States played in a friendly on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Both teams
have qualified for next summer's FIFA 2010 World Cup Final. Here's a recap of the match along with
video highlights.
Slovakia beats United States 1-0 Video Highlights
The United States dominated possession, especially in the 2nd half, but struggled to convert any
chances as they lost to Slovakia.
Portugal v Bosnia Saturday 14 November 2009 and Wednesday 18 November 2009 2010 World Cup Qualifying
If a third straight World Cup is to be in Portugal's future, Carlos Queiroz's side must get past
Bosnia in the present, and they're going to have to do it without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite getting off to a start that has gone beyond all expectations, the football pundits
continue to dig around for any reason to stick to their idiotic pre-season predictions of Arsenal's
impending doom and gloom. The club is 15-2-2 overall having scored 55 goals, 10-0 at home having
scored 33 goals at the Emirates.
Reina Johnson Skrtel Agger Insua Lucas Mascherano Benayoun Kuyt Riera Ngog Goals: Ngog 13' Chucho 26' Jerome 45+3' Gerrard 71' (pen) The beach ball season rolls on. That's seven league games without a win against Birmingham. And both sides will feel cheated. Click to continue reading...
The mighty fall quickly when tournament time comes around. With the Big East tournament now
heading into the semifinals, the University of Connecticut won't be around contending for the
conference title. Continuing a strong upset run in the postseason, the Providence Friars took care
of the Huskies in a 1-0 double-overtime contest.
The mighty fall quickly when tournament time comes around. With the Big East tournament now
heading into the semifinals, the University of Connecticut won't be around contending for the
conference title. Continuing a strong upset run in the postseason, the Providence Friars took care
of the Huskies in a 1-0 double-overtime contest.
I've mentioned how the Blues are my horse to win the EPL race many times. Taking all three points
in a big match-up against Manchester United will help. Of course Sir Alex said he has no faith in officiating after the match. Surprise, surprise. Do
reporters need to ask him about anything else anymore? Click to continue reading...
DENVER — On Friday, after Fort Lewis College came from behind to win in the semifinals of the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference women's soccer tournament, coach Damian Clark said his team is
accustomed to playing with poise, even when trailing.
He said the Skyhawks are confident that when they play a possession game the result will turn
out in their favor.
The second participant in the MLS Eastern Conference Final will be determined tonight when the
New England Revolution faces the Chicago Fire in Game Two of their First Round playoff series.
New England will try to join Real Salt Lake in the East Final by building on its 2-1 victory in
Game One.
The second participant in the MLS Eastern Conference Final will be determined tonight when the
New England Revolution faces the Chicago Fire in Game Two of their First Round playoff series.
New England will try to join Real Salt Lake in the East Final by building on its 2-1 victory in
Game One.
The Major League Soccer Playoffs continue on Thursday, November 5, 2009 with the second leg of
the Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake. RSL had a 1-0 lead on aggregate heading into this match. So,
who won and advance to the Conference Finals? Here's a recap of the match along with video
highlights.
Real Salt Lake beats the Columbus Crew 3-2 (4-2 on aggregate) Video Highlights
(will be added later)
1st Half
Real Salt Lake nearly took the lead in the 10th minute as a through ball was sent for Andy
Williams.
Everyone's doing a brand new dance now. C'mon baby, do the Kyrgiakos.
It must have been yet another very frustrating night for Liverpool supporters Wednesday night
after the Reds failed to win against Lyon in a 1-1 draw. The dreams of advancing in the Champions
League are quickly disappearing.
These USA vs Italy matches have gotten to be quite something. The U- 17 World Cup match today
was no exception. A missed penalty made the difference.
The USA had their chances including a penalty awarded for a handball on Federico Mannini in the
17th minute. But Jack McInerney saw his penalty kick saved by replacement goalie Francesco
Bardi.
Reina Carragher Kyrgiakos Agger Insua Kuyt Lucas Mascherano Benayoun Voronin Torres Goals: Babel 83' Lisandro 90' This season in a nutshell, except it's the first draw in 17 games. Ecstasy and optimism followed by
a kick in the teeth. A brilliant Babel opener off the bench, but a sloppy Lopez equalizer in the
90th after Liverpool couldn't completely clear late pressure, ending with a Bastos flick-on to
Lisandro, who out-muscled Kyrgiakos to beat Reina. Click to continue reading...
In my NyQuil haze, I screwed up the math. Through some combination of the time change (which
happens earlier in England than in the States) and me sleeping through my usual routine of checking
multiple sites to figure out the kickoff, I was an hour off. As I slumped into the pub, sucking on
a cough drop, I still thought I was early enough to grab a seat and some pre-match breakfast, but I
found a room full of sullen Liverpool supporters and a match well underway.
A win tonight at Ashburton Grove will see Arsenal qualify for the from the first group stage of
Champions League for the 10th consecutive seasons. Not even the great Barcelonas or Real Madrids or
AC Milans can lay claim to such an impeccable consistency. Tonight sees the return fixture with AZ
Alkmaar who pegged us back at the final minute of the game with an equalizer.
The UEFA Champions League had a full set of group stage matches on Tuesday, November 3, 2009
including Manchester United hosting CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford. Here's a recap of the match along
with video highlights.
Manchester United draws with CSKA Moscow 3-3Video
Highlights
Neither team was able to score in the first 10 minutes but Man U started to take control of the
match.
For a moment Donovan Ricketts looked like he was going to burst a blood vessel after the Chivas
attack had carved up the LA defense again and again. After he saved a sure goal from Maicon Santos
he launched into a tirade against his defenders. His fury was absolutely justified at those bunch
of clowns.
The MLS playoffs have been engrossing and so far the upstarts have given the finger to the
favourites.
This time it was the Revs taking it to the Fire who had all their big named players while the
Revs have been without Twellman and Ralston. But the Revs African contingent stepped up admirably
as Sainey Nyassi, Emmanuel Osei, and Kenny Mensally had a huge game.
FC Barcelona takes on Osasuna looking to keep their lead atop the Spanish Primera Division (La
Liga) table. Who won the match and was Barcelona able to win or did Osasuna get an upset? Here's a
recap of the match along with video highlights.
FC Barcelona draws with Osasuna 1-1 Video Highlights
Barcelona once again dominated possession as they usually do every match but couldn't score in
the first half.
A week after scoring the equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City, the U.S. national
team midfielder netted in Fulham's 3-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday, easily finishing off
a Bobby Zamora pass from ten yards out. The goal, which came in the 87th minute, capped the
scoring and was Dempsey's second of the season.
A week after scoring the equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City, the U.S. national
team midfielder netted in Fulham's 3-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday, easily finishing off
a Erik Nevland pass from ten yards out.
The goal, which came in the 87th minute, capped the scoring and was Dempsey's second of the
season.
Liverpool traveled to play Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday, October 31, 2009.
After their huge win last weekend against Manchester United, Liverpool looks to continue their
recent good form.
Fulham beats Liverpool 3-1 Video Highlights
1st Half
Liverpool started out dominating possession and chances in the match.
Personal commitments have gotten to Arsenal Station this week but as a busy week grinds to a
close, we look back at the week that was and ahead to the match we've all been waiting for.
In Arsene's 750th match in charge of the club, Arsenal advanced to the quarterfinals of the
Carling Cup with another solid Carling Cup performance.
