By JOHN BOSCHINI
Liverpool must be getting tired of Manchester.
Kenny Dalglish and Co. face off against a Manchester side for the seventh time this season when
United and Liverpool clash in a match full of significance. Manchester United are trying to survive
a brutal run of fixtures and keep pace with their cross-town rivals.
Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com
For Charlie Davies, perhaps not securing a full transfer or loan extension was the best tactic
to take this winter after all.
Davies has been included on Sochaux's first-team roster for the club's league game at Stade
Rennes on Saturday, marking a major milestone for him and his quest to break back into the club's
lineup.
By CALEB SONNELAND
Stuart Pearce will take on the seemingly poisoned chalice that is the English national team job
— for now.
Following the resignation of former manager Fabio Capello, the country has gone into a frenzy as
the Football Association begins its search for a new coach.
The inevitable African Cup of Nations championship matchup between the continent's two
powerhouses has made way for a title game involving an underdog side that is a win away from
capping off a Hollywood-worthy script.
Upstart Zambia shocked favored Ghana, 1-0, to advance to the tournament final and prevent the
Black Stars from seeking redemption for their loss in the 2010 final.
The 2012 European Championship commences exactly four months from today, and England is looking
for a new manager.
In a monumental development, Fabio Capello resigned from the helm of the English national team
on Wednedsay. Capello had been public in his defense of John Terry after the FA stripped the
Chelsea centerback of his international captaincy amid his involvement in a racial abuse
scandal.
There is plenty of high-profile soccer going on around the world this Wednesday, but perhaps no
games carry as much significance as the two African Cup of Nations semifinals. Ivory Coast and
Ghana took care of business in the African Cup of Nations quarterfinals with matching 3-0
victories, and all that stands in the way of a star-studded tournament final is one more win for
each team.
Harry Redknapp is a free man.
Redknapp and Sheffield Wednesday owner Milan Mandaric were acquitted of tax evasion charges
after being found not guilty of avoiding to pay taxes on payments made into an offshore account in
Monaco between 2002 and 2007, when both men were at Portsmouth.
Kenny Cooper opened his New York Red Bulls account on Tuesday, doing so against his former club in
the process.
Cooper scored the opening goal in the Red Bulls' 2-0 preseason victory over FC Dallas in Cancun,
Mexico, a game that was postponed from Monday because of field conditions.
By JOHN BOSCHINI
The English FA will meet with national team manager Fabio Capello after rising tensions over the
dismissal of John Terry as captain threatens to fracture an already tenuous relationship between
the two sides.
Capello has been very outspoken in his disagreement with the FA's decision to strip Terry of the
captain's armband after the defender's racism trial was delayed until July.
Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIPhotos.com
BY ADAM SERRANO
CARSON, Calif. -- Fresh off his year and a half long stint in Germany, Edson Buddle does not
feel like the same player that departed the Los Angeles Galaxy after a stellar 2010 season.
He believes that he's even better.
Tottenham and LIverpool both have Champions League aspirations, and both can boost their place
near the top of the English Premier League standings when they face off at Anfield today (2:55pm,
ESPN2).
Today features the return of Luis Suarez from his suspension for making racist remarks at
Manchester United's Patrice Evra, and Suarez will be key to trying to help the Reds climb up from
their current seventh-place position in the standings.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Luis Suarez's spell on the sidelines has come to a close.
Having served his eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra and a one-game suspension
for a gesture to Fulham fans, Suarez is set to return for Liverpool on Monday in its game against
Tottenham.
By JOHN BOSCHINI
Manchester United just will not go away as they overcame a 3-0 deficit to draw away to Chelsea
and keep pressure on Manchester City.
It was shaping up to be a long afternoon at Stamford Bridge as a 1-0 halftime lead for Chelsea
from Jonathan Evans' own goal was quickly extended.
By CALEB SONNELAND
Thierry Henry's return to Arsenal may last just a little longer than expected, according to
manager Arsene Wenger.
The French striker has enjoyed his brief loan spell at Arsenal, netting a goal in the club's
7-1 win over the weekend.
Sporting Kansas City's quest to repeat as Eastern Conference regular season champions began
today with a 2-1 pre-season victory against the San Jose Earthquakes in the pre-season opener for
both clubs.
Kansas City midfielder Konrad Warzycha delivered the game-winning goal, converting a free kick
to break a 1-1 deadlock.
By JOHN BOSCHINI
A substantial portion of America will be treated to an extra helping of soccer on the biggest
sporting day of the year as Manchester United takes on Chelsea live on Fox on Super Bowl
Sunday.
This is the second time in less than a month a Premier League game will be seen on network
television.
Frigid temperatures and snowstorms across Europe are starting to take their toll on the soccer
schedule.
Saturday's anticipated match between Roma and Inter Milan has already been postponed because of
snow blanketing Rome. The Cesena-Catania match has also been called off, and that is in addition to
four midweek Serie A games having to be rescheduled because of the snow.
If you've been wondering when the next SBI Live Q&A would be, wonder no more. We will be having
one today.
The latest SBI Live Q&A will take place at 1pm this afternoon, so get your questions ready to
discuss everything from the MLS pre-season to the U.S. national team, to Clint Dempsey's insane
form to European soccer and the international game.
By JOHN BOSCHINI
As Egypt reels from the tragic deaths in Port Said, national team coach Bob Bradley is taking a
role in the rebuilding.
The former U.S. manager joined in a non-violent protest march on Thursday as public anger
against the interior ministry grows.
Batman without the bat signal. Superman sans the cape. Mr. Clean without that rough and tumble
earring. Every hero needs an icon. And justice, a diffuse concept that is not easily grasped by
materialistic minds, needs a hero. Always. Since the start of time; 'til the end of time.
UEFA's Financial Fair Play is no different.
By FRANCO PANIZO
U.S. prospect Alfredo Morales has not seen the field for Hertha Berlin since October, but that
will not stop him from making his first-ever start in the Bundesliga this coming weekend.
Morales is slated to start at right back in place of the suspended Christian Lell when Hertha
faces Hannover 96, according to head coach Michael Skibbe.
By FRANCO PANIZO
A day after a riot at a club soccer game in Egypt left at least 74 dead and many others injured,
Egypt's prime minister has dissolved the Egyptian FA's board.
Kamal el-Ganzouri announced the decision to dissolve the board during Thursday's emergency
parliamentary session, and also said that the governor of Port Said (where the game took place) and
the area's police chief have resigned.
By JOHN BOSCHINI
FIFA is considering a number of rule changes that could have a major impact on the international
game going forward.
The major proposal that FIFA's board is facing would allow teams to use a fourth substitute in
extra time in an attempt to cut down on player injuries.
Photo: Paul Rudderow
"You just ripped the heart out of your squad. And your fan base."
Martin Longman, Union fan, on the Union web site
"Horrible day, horrible decision. All the guy did was give his heart, soul and sweat to this
team for two years and this is how you repay him.
The winter transfer window across Europe closed on Tuesday, and a number of teams -- not the usual
big-spenders -- that were scrambling to fill vacancies and address needs for the second half of
their respective seasons were able to add some valuable pieces to the puzzle.
Queens Park Rangers fall into that category, adding firepower in the form of former Lazio
striker Djibril Cisse and Fulham forward Bobby Zamora.
The winter transfer window across Europe closed on Tuesday, and a number of teams -- not the usual
big-spenders -- that were scrambling to fill vacancies and address needs for the second half of
their respective seasons were able to add some valuable pieces to the puzzle.
Queens Park Rangers fall into that category, adding firepower in the form of former Lazio
striker Djibril Cisse and Fulham forward Bobby Zamora.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
It is a wild day across England, with the rapid-fire closing of the transfer window being
accompanied by a full slate of mid-week matches. While the transfer window doesn't figure to
include any more Americans making moves to England, there could be some notable performances by
U.
By JOHN BOSCHINI
Sudan entered Monday's African Cup of Nations group finale needing a minor miracle to get
through to the next round, trailing Angola by three points for second place in Group B while
needing to make up a goal differential of -3 as well.
In the end, Sudan got its way.
The winter transfer window in Europe is set to close today, and teams are still scrambling to
fill vacancies and address needs for the second half of their respective seasons.
While we don't seem likely to have any megastars making winter transfer moves, despite resurgent
rumors of Carlos Tevez to AC Milan, there is still some serious talent changing addresses.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Chelsea is looking for a better second half of the season in the Premiership, and it is hoping
the signing of an attacking midfielder will help them do that.
Chelsea is set to sign Kevin De Bruyne from Belgian club RC Genk on a five-year deal.
By JOHN BOSCHINI
It looked to be another long afternoon at the Emirates after Arsenal found themselves down two
to Aston Villa at halftime and on the verge of going out of the FA Cup. Relief came quickly,
however, as the Gunners scored three goals within 10 minutes to move on to the fifth round.
The All-American showdown went to Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton.
Donovan came up with two assists to guide the Toffees to a 2-1, come-from-behind victory over
Clint Dempsey's Fulham at Goodison Park in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday.
Donovan hit summer acquisition Denis Stracqualursi with a pinpoint left-footed cross from the
right in the 27th minute, and the Argentine headed it past Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale to
pull Everton level at 1-1.
The three best American soccer players in the world will be on the field together in a club
match for the first time ever as Tim Howard and Landon Donovan lead Everton against Clint Dempsey
and Fulham (3pm, Fox Soccer Channel).
Today's FA Cup Fourth Round showdown is being billed as a battle between Dempsey and Donovan,
long-time USA teammates and two great players who draw different reactions from different fans.
By JOHN BOSCHINI
It's FA Cup weekend again in England, and the field is down to 32 teams.
Liverpool are well out of the Premier League title race, and their Champions League hopes are
diminishing quickly, but fans will find some solace in the domestic cups, especially after the club
reached the Carling Cup final earlier this week.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
All American eyes Friday are on Goodison Park, where Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey do battle
in Everton and Fulham's FA Cup match, but there's another game in Europe that is of importance to
Americans abroad as well.
Timmy Chandler's FC Nurnberg and Steve Cherundolo's Hannover 96 are slated to go up against one
another in a Bundesliga match that should be featuring the present and future of U.
By FRANCO PANIZO
Mexico seemed ready to settle for a draw with Venezuela, but two late goals coming in a span of
a minute lifted El Tri to a 3-1 victory over the South Americans.
Fielding a squad largely comprised of players competing for a spot on the Olympic qualifying
team, the Mexicans won on Wednesday night courtesy of goals from Rafael Marquez Lugo and Oribe
Peralta in the 88th and 89th minutes, respectively.
