Photo by ISIphotos.com

The 2009 MLS Cup will serve as the marquee match of a busy weekend of soccer on TV.

The LA Galaxy takes on Real Salt Lake on Sunday night in a match that should offer plenty of intrigue and attacking soccer.

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The Dayton Dynamo were, I now realize, far from a high-quality team. But in Southwest Ohio in early 1990s, there were few better options. European soccer on television would come later that decade, but growing up the only live option was the Dynamo.

The Dynamo did not even play the true 11-a-side game seen around the world.

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by FRANCO PANIZO

Thierry Henry's handball heard around the world helped secure France's passage to the 2010 World Cup, but the French may not be through to South Africa yet.

The Irish federation has appealed Wednesday's night 1-1 result (2-1 aggregate advantage for France), and is demanding that France replay the second leg of the playoff.

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by FRANCO PANIZO

Thierry Henry's handball heard around the world helped secure France's passage to the 2010 World Cup, but the French may not be through to South Africa yet.

The Irish federation has appealed Wednesday's night 1-1 result (2-1 aggregate advantage for France), and is demanding that France replay the second leg of the playoff.

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Thierry Henry helped France into the World Cup with a handball that won't soon be forgotten in Ireland (or anywhere for that matter).

Here's Henry's Diego Maradona impression:

We'll take part of the blame for jinxing Henry by running the above photo with the Wednesday Commentary post, but in the end, the French star cheated and won't live it down any time soon.

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Thierry Henry helped France into the World Cup with a handball that won't soon be forgotten in Ireland (or anywhere for that matter).

Here's Henry's Diego Maradona impression:

We'll take part of the blame for jinxing Henry by running the above photo with the Wednesday Commentary post, but in the end, the French star cheated and won't live it down any time soon.

Click to continue reading...

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by FRANCO PANIZO

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has warned the club he would quit if striker Francisco Torres were ever sold without his consent.

Speculation has surrounded the Spanish international's future with the club due to its largely-publicized financial debt.

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by FRANCO PANIZO

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has warned the club he would quit if striker Fernando Torres were ever sold without his consent.

Speculation has surrounded the Spanish international's future with the club due to its largely-publicized financial debt.

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A header goal from Haris Seferovic proved to be the difference as the Switzerland Under-17 national team defeated Nigeria, 1-0, in the Under-17 World Cup Final on Sunday in Nigeria.

The Swiss capped an undefeated tournament with it latest impressive victory, knocking off the defending champions and heavily favored Nigerians in the final.

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A header goal from Haris Seferovic proved to be the difference as the Switzerland Under-17 national team defeated Nigeria, 1-0, in the Under-17 World Cup Final on Sunday in Nigeria.

The Swiss capped an undefeated tournament with it latest impressive victory, knocking off the defending champions and heavily favored Nigerians in the final.

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Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie could miss three months or more of the English Premier League season after suffering torn ankle ligaments during the Netherlands 0-0 tie vs. Italy on Saturday.

Van Persie injured his right ankle after a hard challenge by Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini just 15 minutes into the friendly.

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Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie could miss three months or more of the English Premier League season after suffering torn ankle ligaments during the Netherlands 0-0 tie vs. Italy on Saturday.

Van Persie injured his right ankle after a hard challenge by Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini just 15 minutes into the friendly.

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France, Russia and Portugal posted crucial first-leg victories in their UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff matches, but all three still have plenty of work to do in the second legs to ensure qualifying for South Africa.

Nicolas Anelka scored in France's 1-0 win vs. Ireland in Dublin, giving the French the lead and an away goal in its match-up.

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France, Russia and Portugal posted crucial first-leg victories in their UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff matches, but all three still have plenty of work to do in the second legs to ensure qualifying for South Africa.

Nicolas Anelka scored in France's 1-0 win vs. Ireland in Dublin, giving the French the lead and an away goal in its match-up.

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Photo by ISIphotos.com

Club soccer takes a break around the world (save for the USA and Mexico) which means international fixtures take center stage this weekend.There are crucial World Cup qualifiers and high-profile friendlies headlining this weekend's action.

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by FRANCO PANIZO

Nine spots remain for the 2010 World Cup, and four of those will be decided through the UEFA playoffs, which are set to begin on Saturday.

Russia-Slovenia, Greece-Ukraine, Portugal-Bosnia Herzegovina and France-Ireland are the two-legged playoffs that will determine which remaining UEFA teams punch their tickets to South Africa next summer.

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Turns out Alex Ferguson isn't above punishment from the FA after all. Manchester United's manager was handed a two-match bantoday for the next two Premier League games as a result of criticizing referee Alan Wiley a few weeks ago. Ferguson will remain in the stands for league matches against Everton and Portsmouth.

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In the midst of a playoff run, and one win from a spot in the MLS Cup, news from Utah today hint that Real Salt Lake minority Dave Checketts is close to selling his 49 percent stake in the club.

According to the Deseret News, Checketts is in the later stages of negotiations with Utah real estate developer Dell Loy Hansen for the shares Checketts' owns in the club.

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By TRAVIS CLARK

In the midst of a playoff run, and one win from a spot in MLS Cup, Real Salt Lake is reportedly close to seeing a new minority owner buying into the club.

According to the Deseret News, RSL owner Dave Checketts is in the latter stages of negotiations with Utah real estate developer Dell Loy Hansen to sell Hansen a 49 percent stake in the club.

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Hannover 96 and German national team goalkeeper Robert Enke has died of an apparent suicide after being hit by a train.

A recent member of the German national team, Enke had reportedly struggled to cope with the death of his two-year old daughter, who died from a heart ailment in 2006.

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Hannover 96 and German national team goalkeeper Robert Enke has died of an apparent suicide after being hit by a train.

A recent member of the German national team, Enke had reportedly struggled to cope with the death of his two-year old daughter, who died from a heart ailment in 2006.

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by FRANCO PANIZO

Liverpool midfielder David N'Gog may have salvaged his club from losing against Birmingham on Monday, but he did so with one of the most highly-criticized dives in recent memory.

With Birmingham shockingly leading the hosts 2-1 in the second half, N'Gog dribbled into the penalty area before being brought down by midfielder Lee Carsley's sliding challenge.

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by FRANCO PANIZO

Liverpool midfielder David N'Gog may have salvaged his club from losing against Birmingham on Monday, but he did so with one of the most highly-criticized dives in recent memory.

With Birmingham shockingly leading the hosts 2-1 in the second half, N'Gog dribbled into the penalty area before being brought down by midfielder Lee Carsley's sliding challenge.

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by TRAVIS CLARK

Will there ever be a Chelsea-Manchester United match-up that won't involve referee criticisms? Whenever Sir Alex and his side end up losing -- especially in a match with such stakes -- comments from the often critical Scotsman almost always lashes out at the ref shortly after the final whistle.

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by TRAVIS CLARK

Will there ever be a Chelsea-Manchester United match-up that won't involve referee criticisms? Whenever Sir Alex and his side end up losing -- especially in a match with such stakes -- comments from the often critical Scotsman almost always lashes out at the ref shortly after the final whistle.

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If you weren't satifisfied with the nine goals scored in the four MLS playoff games this past weekend, you certainly would have gotten your fill of goals if you were lucky enough to see Lyon and Marseille battle to a 5-5 draw on Sunday.

Lyon edged closer to first-place Monaco with the tie, but will feel disappointed at not having been able to secure the three points in a match it led on three different occasions.

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If you weren't satifisfied with the nine goals scored in the four MLS playoff games this past weekend, you certainly would have gotten your fill of goals if you were lucky enough to see Lyon and Marseille battle to a 5-5 draw on Sunday.

Lyon edged closer to first-place Bordeaux with the tie, but will feel disappointed at not having been able to secure the three points in a match it led on three different occasions.

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Photo by ISIphotos.com

Chelsea won the first battle of EPL heavyweights on Sunday when the Blues knocked off defending champion Manchester United, and while the victory didn't help Chelsea take over the top spot in the SBI European Club Top 25, it has the Blues piling even more pressure on No.

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Photo by ISIphotos.com

Chelsea won the first battle of EPL heavyweights on Sunday when the Blues knocked off defending champion Manchester United, and while the victory didn't help Chelsea take over the top spot in the SBI European Club Top 25, it has the Blues piling even more pressure on No.

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The top two teams in England face off today, while four MLS teams battle to see which two will play in the Western Conference final in MLS.

Manchester United travels to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, while the Home Depot Center Clasico and Seattle-Houston fill out the MLS portion of today's action.

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The most highly-anticipated match of the English Premier League season is upon us, and so are some truly can't-miss MLS playoff series deciders.

Chelsea plays host to Manchester United on Sunday with a chance to open up a five-point lead atop the EPL standings, while six MLS teams head into action knowing that defending MLS champions Columbus has been eliminated from the post-season.

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The most highly-anticipated match of the English Premier League season is upon us, and so are some truly can't-miss MLS playoff series deciders.

Chelsea plays host to Manchester United on Sunday with a chance to open up a five-point lead atop the EPL standings, while six MLS teams head into action knowing that defending MLS champions Columbus has been eliminated from the post-season.

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We could probably spend a day listing all the difference between our traditional North American sports leagues (MLB, NFL and NBA) with the way European soccer clubs are run, or in fact almost all leagues around the world are run, aside from MLS. For me, one of the key differences is roster construction. Click to continue reading...

by FRANCO PANIZO

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the best player in the world, but his spot in next year's World Cup will be determined when Portugal and Bosnia square off in a two-legged playoff later this month. There is only one problem for Ronaldo: He may not have a say in if Portugal qualifies.

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by FRANCO PANIZO

Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the best player in the world, but his spot in next year's World Cup will be determined when Portugal and Bosnia square off in a two-legged playoff later this month. There is only one problem for Ronaldo: He may not have a say in if Portugal qualifies.

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