Real Madrid can move a big step closer to the Spanish Premier League title today with a win
against Levante in one of the day's most anticipated matches.
Barcelona's shocking loss to Levante on Saturday means Real Madrid could extend their lead atop
the La Liga standings to a huge ten points.
Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra will face each other on the field for the first time since the
controversial racism charges against Suarez when Manchester United and Liverpool renew their
rivalry in today's marquee match-up.
Suarez will be key to the Reds chances of knocking off Manchester United in a vital match-up for
both teams.
Clint Dempsey will try to keep his torrid hot streak in the English Premier League going against
a Manchester City side looking to hold on to first place in one of today's best matches.
The Cottagers are in need of points to move further away from the relegation zone, but earning
any in Manchester against a City side coming off a loss to Everton won't be easy.
Not too long ago, Chelsea and Manchester United were fighting each other for league titles and
UEFA Champions League superiority. Now, the Blues are just hoping to chip away at a 12-point table
deficit that keeps mounting by the week.
The two English giants battle Sunday at Stamford Bridge in a nationally televised game on the
Fox network, with United looking to maintain its place atop the league while dealing perhaps the
final blow to Chelsea's faint title hopes and forcing the club into a fight for a place in Europe
next season.
Friday, February 3
2:30pm Nürnberg vs Borussia Dortmund GolTV
8pm Altamira vs Irapuato GolTV
9:10pm Estudiantes Tecos vs Atlas Galavision
Saturday, February 4
7:30am West Ham United vs Millwall FoxSoccer.tv, Fox Soccer 2Go
8am Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3
9am Cesena vs Catania RAI Internazionale
9am Roma vs Internazionale Fox Soccer Plus, RAI Internazionale, ESPN3 USA
9:30am Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart ESPN Deportes, ESPN3
10am Wigan Athletic vs Everton FSC, Fox Deportes
10am Stoke City vs Sunderland Fox Soccer Plus, FoxSoccer.
With the transfer window shut, teams across Europe are moving forward with their new parts in
place.
Queens Park Rangers' newest signings Djibril Cisse and Taye Taiwo are in the starting lineup for
the club's match at Aston Villa, which has Robbie Keane in the starting lineup and Americans Brad
Guzan and Eric Lichaj ready on the bench.
Transfer madness takes a back seat to mid-week matches, as a number of top teams in Europe take
to the field on Tuesday.
The top four teams in England are all in action, with Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Everton
facing league-leading Manchester City. Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea will all be looking
to secure their own results while hoping the American pair can conjure an upset to shorten the gap
at the top of the table.
Arsenal's season hasn't gone quite according to plan, but a win today against Aston VIlla in FA
Cup Fourth Round action could help ease some of the pressure being faced by Arsene Wenger these
days.
Wenger has been roundly criticized since the Gunners' loss to Manchester United last week, but a
win today might help ease some of that backlash.
A pair of heated English derby match-ups headline today's action, and both will have added
subplots that will only make things more intense.
Manchester United and Liverpool clash in their first meeting since the controversial match where
Luis Suarez allegedly used racial slurs against Patrice Evra; while London rivals Chelsea and
Queens Park Rangers meet for the first time since John Terry allegedly used a racial slur against
Anton Ferdinand.
Photo by Stephen Brashear/ISIphotos.com
CONCACAF's two places in the women's soccer tournament at this summer's Olympics will be
determined Friday night, as the U.S. women look to maintain their stretch of dominance and clinch a
place in London with a win over Costa Rica.
The highly anticipated match involving of the U.S. Men's National Team's top talents kicks off at 3
p.m. ET today (FOXSoccer) when Tim Howard and Landon Donovan at Everton welcome Clint Dempsey's
Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Dempsey has been white hot for Fulham, having scored two hat tricks in the last month, including
one against Charlton in the third round.
Friday, January 27
11am Niger vs Tunisia Al Jazeera Sports USA
2pm Gabon vs Morocco Al Jazeera Sports USA
2:30pm Hannover 96 vs Nürnberg ESPN3, ESPN Deportes
2:45pm Watford vs Tottenham Hotspur Fox Soccer Plus, FoxSoccer.tv, Fox Soccer 2Go
3pm Everton vs Fulham FSC
8pm USA vs Costa Rica concacaf.
Their Words "We wanted to take the players out of their comfort zone and give them a different
experience." US National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Other Sources Juergen Klinsmann puts U.S.
soccer on fast track - from The LA Times' Kevin Baxter: "There is still a lot of catching up to
do." Tougher challenge awaits United States - from FoxSoccer's Ives Galarcep: The atmosphere will
be a unique national team experience for most of the.
Their Words "We wanted to take the players out of their comfort zone and give them a different
experience." US National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Other Sources Juergen Klinsmann puts U.S.
soccer on fast track - from The LA Times' Kevin Baxter: "There is still a lot of catching up to
do." Tougher challenge awaits United States - from FoxSoccer's Ives Galarcep: The atmosphere will
be a unique national team experience for most of the.
Today is one of those jam-packed days of soccer action that make you happy to be a soccer fan
with a full day with nothing to do but watch soccer.
There is something for everybody today, from the historic Arsenal-Manchester United clash, which
will be the first English Premier League match shown live on American network television, to this
morning's Manchester City-Tottenham tilt featuring two of the best teams in England.
Landon Donovan is coming off an outstanding match in Everton's 1-1 draw vs. Aston Villa last
week, and he will look to post an even better performance against struggling Blackburn today.
Donovan will look to jump-start an offense that has has its share of struggles, but an offense
that could have a field day against struggling Rovers.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
For the U.S. men's and women's national teams, it's a big weekend.
The women kick off their qualifying campaign for the 2012 Olympics Friday night in Canada, going
up against the Dominican Republic. Just a couple of days later, Pia Sundhage's charges are at it
again, facing Guatemala and hoping to secure maximum points before a final group showdown with
Mexico.
Friday, January 20
2:30pm Borussia M'gladbach vs Bayern München GolTV
2:30pm Sablé vs PSG ESPN3
8pm Altamira vs Universidad Guadalajara GolTV
8pm Mexico vs Guatemala Telemundo, CONCACAF, Sportsnet.ca
9:10pm Morelia vs San Luis Azteca America
10:30pm Dominican Republic vs USA Telemundo, CONCACAF, UniversalSports.
Thierry Henry has already made a dramatic return to Arsenal, but today he will have his chance
to try and top his game-winning FA Cup goal against Leeds by scoring in his first English Premier
League match of his comeback.
The Gunners take on Swansea City in what should be an entertaining encounter, and could bring us
Henry's first start since coming back to Arsenal.
Less than two months ago Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane were combining on a game-winning goal
that helped lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to an MLS Cup title. Today, the two will square off on the
other side of the planet as Donovan's Everton and Keane's Aston Villa do battle.
Manchester United will look to keep the heat on Manchester City by knocking off Bolton, which is
awaiting a work permit for newly-acquired defender Tim Ream.
Inter Milan seems to finally have found its form, and after winning five straight matches and
outscoring its last two opponents 9-1 and getting Wesley Sneijder back from injury, the club faces
bitter rival and first-place AC Milan with a chance to make a statement in Serie A.
The Milan derby is the highlight of the weekend slate across Europe, one that also includes an
Aston Villa-Everton game that will be of interest to U.
Friday, January 13
9:10pm Estudiantes Tecos vs San Luis Galavision
9:30pm Correcaminos UAT vs La Piedad GolTV
Saturday, January 14
10am Aston Villa vs Everton foxsoccer.tv
10am Blackburn Rovers vs Fulham foxoccer.tv
10am Chelsea vs Sunderland Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Deportes
10am Liverpool vs Stoke City Fox Soccer Plus, foxsoccer.
The dust has settled somewhat from part one of our interview with former U.S. Men's National Team
forward and current Fox Soccer analyst Eric Wynalda.
Part two includes our conversation
about working for Fox Soccer, what it's like to put on the red, white, and blue and play for your
country, owning a soccer team, and his favorite beer.
The FA Cup continues in full swing today, with the biggest match-up of the weekend featuring the
Manchester Derby.
Manchester City will look to take a step closer to defending their FA Cup title against a
Manchester United side that is coming off a painful loss to Newcastle in league play.
With leagues coming off their winter breaks, and England diving into FA Cup action, today's
slate of matches will give us the first good schedule of activity of the new year.
The Mexican League gets its Clausura season underway this weekend, as Herculez Gomez and Santos
Laguna take on Jose Torres and Pachuca.
The third round of the FA Cup is littered with the typical David vs. Goliath matchups that the
tournament boasts every year, but there is one matchup featuring a pair of giants that is sure to
capture everyone's attention.
Premier League front-runners Manchester City and Manchester United square off in an early-round
encounter that has plenty on the line.
Their Words "The important thing is that Omar is healthy and fit again. We wish him well." Nurnberg
chairman Martin Bader. Other Sources MLS shifting resources away from Generation adidas - from
FoxSoccer.com's Ives Galarcep: There was nothing subtle about this shift in policy. Ching will not
retire, will report to Montreal team - from The Houston Chronicle's Jesus Ortiz: "I've decided I'm
not going to retire," Ching said.
Friday, January 6
8pm Altamira vs Toros Neza Gol TV
Saturday, January 7
7:30am Birmingham City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers Fox Soccer Plus, foxsoccer.tv
10am Fleetwood Town vs Blackpool Fox Soccer Plus, foxsoccer.tv
10am Swindon Town vs Wigan Athletic foxsoccer.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
Landon Donovan's return to Everton is the story of the day in American soccer, and he'll look to
make an immediate impact when the Toffees host Bolton at Goodison Park. Donovan has secured a place
in the starting lineup, as has goalkeeping stalwart Tim Howard, who is making his 250th Premier
League appearance.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
Landon Donovan's second foray into the Premier League gets underway later today, with Everton's
match against Bolton (3 p.m., Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer.tv). Early rumblings have Donovan slated
for the starting lineup, though that has yet to be announced publicly by Everton.
The seemingly never-ending stream of Premier League matches continues on Tuesday, with three
more games on the docket including a high-profile battle between Manchester City and Liverpool.
City can reclaim sole possession of first place with a win or draw, while the Reds, who will be
without the suspended Luis Suarez, can get back into UEFA Champions League contention with a
victory.
Clint Dempsey enjoyed a career year in England in 2011, and he will look to take his first step
toward a great 2012 when he and Fulham take on Arsenal in today's slate of English Premier League
matches.
Chelsea kicks things off today, hoping to erase the bad taste of a stunning lost to Aston Villa
at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates his 70th birthday today and his Manchester United will try to give
him a present in the form of a victory and sole possession of first place when the Red Devils take
on struggling Blackburn today.
Manchester United pulled even with Manchester City during the most recent set of Premier League
matches, but can pull ahead with a victory against a Rovers side that has endured a nightmare
season under manager Steve Kean.
New Year's Day will usher in 2012 this weekend, but it will also provide us with a loaded menu
of English Premier League matches as most of the league pulls off a two-games-in-three-days
marathon over the next three days.
Brad Guzan will look to continue his stellar form for Aston Villa when his team travels to
London to take on Chelsea on Saturday.
At the time of this writing, no programming information was available for Fox Soccer Channel
for Saturday, December 31 and Sunday, January 1.
Friday, December 30
2:45pm Liverpool vs Newcastle United FSC
7:30pm Xelaju vs Comunicaciones (Copa Mesoamericana) Azteca America
9:30pm Jaguares vs Isidro Metpan (Copa Mesoamericana) Azteca America
Saturday, December 31
7:15am Leicester City vs Portsmouth FSP, foxsoccer.
Chelsea had championship aspirations heading into the season, but a few stumbles have left the
big-spending Blues trailing the Manchester clubs and now stand closer to falling out of top four
than challenging for the top spot.
If Chelsea is going to stay ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, they will need to beat
London rival Fulham in today's Boxing Day clash.
10am ET, live in the US on Fox Deportes and FoxSoccer.tv. And all the usual streams that most will
have to fall back on.
Last four head-to-head:
1-3 Blackburn (a) 02.12.11
2-1 Liverpool (h) 11.10.10
2-1 Liverpool (h) 03.08.09
2-1 Liverpool (h) 08.24.09
Last three matches:
Liverpool: 0-0 Wigan (a); 2-0 Villa (a); 1-0 QPR (h)
Blackburn: 1-2 Bolton (h); 1-2 West Brom (h); 1-2 Sunderland (a)
Goalscorers (league):
Liverpool: Suarez 5; Own Goal 3; Adam, Bellamy, Carroll, Skrtel 2; Gerrard, Henderson,
Johnson, Maxi 1
Blackburn: Yakubu 10, Hoilett 3; Formica, Rochina, Samba 2; Dann, Gamst, Simon 1
Referee: Mike Jones
Beachball.
Photo by ISIphotos.com
With nearly full slates of action in the Premier League, Serie A and Ligue 1 and domestic cup
play on the docket as well, plenty is on the line across Europe today.
A number of Americans are in action across the continent, as Clint Dempsey looks to keep his
goal-scoring form going at Craven Cottage against Manchester United, while goalkeepers Tim Howard
and Brad Guzan aim for clean sheets against Swansea City and Arsenal, respectively.
Though the game is being played while much of the United States is still asleep, the Club World
Cup Final between Barcelona and Santos is promising to be must-see football.
The battle between the reigning European and South American champions will feature some serious
star power, with Lionel Messi and Neymar grabbing most of the headlines.
With the word that Landon Donovan is heading to Everton in January, the Toffees are suddenly
feeling confident about their chances of climbing back into the top half of the English Premier
League standings. If they can make that move before the new year will depend largely on whether Tim
Howard and Co.
