Hans Backe wants to go for it all. (Getty Images)

File this under "we've heard this before".

New York Red Bulls manager Hans Backe made a sweeping declaration yesterday to reporters while in Mexico. He plans to go all-in this season.

"I say we should go for it all: the Open Cup, the Shield, the MLS Cup," Backe told reporters in a conference call on Thursday from Mexico, where the Red Bulls are training.

Ivory Coast midfielder Jean Jacques Gosso Gosso celebrates his team's progress to the final by mounting Emmanuel Eboue. How nice! Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images.

Well, despite our promises, the Africa Cup of Nations has been continuing without us paying it the slightest bit of attention.

Valencia's Aritz Aduriz articulates far more succinctly that we ever could why base layers are bad. Bad, we say! Image: JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images.

Sometimes, it's the little things that make life worth living, isn't it?

Alright. And maybe some slightly larger things.

Serie A

Catania 1-1 Roma

There were only twenty-five minutes to play in Catania and Roma's rescheduled match from January, but this was long enough for Erik Lamela to show off his assets to the fullest.

If there's one thing I've learned from the Occupy Wall Street movement, it's that all the protests in the world (bin bags, black scarves, etc) mean nothing in the face of the capitalist juggernaut.

Yesterday Arsene Wenger went on record saying that rather than buying Eden Hazard for 30 million pounds/euros (depending on which story you read), he had to show a fifteen to twenty million pound profit.

Juninho proved to be a handful for most MLS sides in 2011. (Getty Images)

I said a few weeks (or maybe just a couple weeks) back that the biggest thing that the LA Galaxy needed to replace this winter was Juninho.

Well, what better way to replace him than with him.

The LA Galaxy announced on Tuesday that the club has reached an agreement with Brazilian club São Paulo FC that will allow midfielder Juninho to return to the Galaxy on loan for the 2012 MLS season.

Laurent Koscielny is old enough to be married. This is his wife, Claire. Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images.

The Laureaus World Sport Awards took place at the Central Hall in Westminster last night. As is usual with these events, a smattering of footballers turned up to watch Bobby Charlton pick up a Lifetime Achievement Award and surely what must be the most shocking event of the year so far; Leo Messi not winning an award he has been nominated for.

The latest development in football kits? Invisibility properties. We can make use of that here. Image: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images Europe.

Did you spend the last 48 hours in your homemade duvet cave, eating nachos and taking in as much sport as possible between well deserved naps? We did.

St Etienne keeper Jérémie Janot believes the best way for players to keep warm in cold conditions is to wear a wetsuit then pee in it. Image: THIERRY ZOCCOLAN/AFP/Getty Images.

Dangerously cold weather and unplayable pitch conditions wreaked havoc on Ligue 1 action this weekend after parts of France were struck with blistering, near-freezing temperatures (-13 degrees Celsius/8 degrees Farenheit).

El Manchester United borró una diferencia de 0-3 para lograr hoy un dramático empate a tres goles, todo como visitante del Chelsea en partido de la jornada 24 de la liga inglesa de fútbol. El puntero Manchester City aventaja solo por dos puntos a los red devils.

Los futbolistas del cuarto lugar de la clasificación de la Premier League el millonario Chelsea, abrieron el marcador por autogol del norirlandés Jonny Evans, cuando el reloj marcaba el minuto 36.

As bromances go, we can't say we expected this. But ya know what? It might just be mad enough to work... Image: REUTERS/Eddie Keogh.

It's past 5 o'clock somewhere, Kickettes.

Consider that an explanation for our poor spelling, lack of coherence and just about anything else that's horribly wrong after the jump.

YOU try keeping them apart. Image: AFP PHOTO/ IAN KINGTON.

Don't feel bad that you missed all the transfer news because you're such important people. We too were engaged in frantic busy work (sleeping, shopping, drinking or a horrifying and painful combination of all three) when the window slammed shut at 23.

Portland and Vancouver have done well in preparing for their sophomore seasons. (Getty Images)

Yesterday I took a look at the 10 clubs from the Eastern Conference in how they've done so far this winter. Naturally right after the post was put up one of those clubs went out and signed a DP.

Today, we'll look at the nine clubs from the Western Conference to see how they've been doing so far this winter.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA JUNE 11: Guillermo Franco of Mexico reacts during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group A match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City Stadium on June 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.. (Photo by Mario Castillo/Jam Media/LatinContent/Getty Images)
No puedo creer que este escribiendo esto, antes de que inicies a leer el escrito debes de recordar los siguiente: ¿Cuantas veces algunos medios critican al aficionado porque no tiene memoria?

David Ramos/Getty Images Europe.

Toronto and Kansas City have faired pretty well so far this winter. (Getty Images)

Many clubs are a few weeks into their pre-seasons and now that the international transfer window has shut, it is a good time to look at how each MLS side has done so far this winter. (Note: the MLS window doesn't close until April, which means players who failed to land new jobs in Europe can still head to MLS.

Edson Buddle is back. (Getty Images)

Edson Buddle is back in a LA Galaxy uniform. The deal to bring back one of the league's all-time best goal-scorers happened today.

Buddle rejoins the Galaxy after being released from his contract with FC Ingolstadt 04 on Tuesday. Los Angeles maintained his MLS rights following his free transfer to Ingolstadt last January.

People, please! Form an orderly queue for a glimpse of the hawt. Images: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe.

Dear Sir,

We don't blame you for handcuffing yourself to a goalpost during the first half of Everton's 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the EPL last night. Many have mocked you, but we often find it hard to resist the magnetic power of Joe Hart as well.

Edinson Cavani. Forcing us to rethink our oppression of t-shirt/suit jacket combos since 9.30am this morning. Image: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images.

If someone else is going to go to the trouble of picking out and rewarding their favourite Serie A players, it would be remiss of us not to use the photo opportunity for a random post.

The angry eyebrow is a nice turn-on touch by Victor. Image: Enrico Locci/Getty Images Europe.

Players disrespecting referees is a big problem in many European leagues. Not so much in the Bundesliga, though. Image: THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP/Getty Images.

While everyone in England was caught up in the now traditional FA Cup bicker-fest, the rest of the European Leagues had a peculiar stillness about them this weekend.

Wilman Conde is back in MLS with the Red Bulls. (Getty Images)

This news had been around for some time. The New York Red Bulls and the Chicago Fire finally made it official today though. Wilman Conde is finally going to the Big Apple.

The fun part about this deal however is that it is really a few years too late.

Fabio Cannavaro. Sought after wherever he goes, apparently. Here, he's attracting a bit of interest from local kids in Phnom Penh on January 9th. Image: STR/AFP/Getty Images.

We're not going to get wrapped in the complexities of the newly founded Premier League Soccer tournament in India for two reasons.

Delfina keeps an eye on proceedings at Liverpool vs. Manchester United on Saturday. Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe.

We're thinking that the UN should offer Delfina Suarez a job. Her ability to divert attention in a potential flashpoint situ, using just a woolly hat and pink puffy jacket combo, is the best we've ever seen.

Jose haz a sad. Image via Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe; Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe.

Like a lot of you, we've noticed that The Special One's dress sense has gone from GQMF to WTF. Case and point: to sweat out Wednesday night's El Clasico, Jose wore track pants, a hoodie, and a puffer vest.

Shiny bar, shiny seats, shiny floor and shiny barman standing by to fulfill our every sordid whim. This is looking promising so far, Kickettes! Image: JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/Getty Images.

They might not be the national team whose pants drawer you're most interested in familiarising yourself with, but the 'fun factor' of the Greek NT's accommodation arrangements far outweighs any disappointment at the lack of potential fantasy material.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife Brazilian striker Neymar would be honoured to play on the same pitch as David Beckham in the 2012 London Olympics.
Neymar said: "It would be a pleasure to play against David Beckham. Fortunately I had the chance to meet him last year, he was very kind and it would be an honour to play on the same pitch as him this year in London.

Ricardo Clark got a little redemption but that's about it. (Getty Images)

It has been a long time coming for the US Men's National Team. A solid three-game winning streak.

Typically these sorts of things happen around the January friendly time. It certainly isn't the first time this has happened but with Jurgen Klinsmann in as boss, it is.

Images: Bellazon; FameFlynet Pictures; Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images Europe.

We've seen all three wear much more exciting ensembles than these, but yet, they all look very normal for a change. Tired, slightly annoyed even, but otherwise very normal.

Sara Carbonero's signature street style seems to fall in line with a "longer + looser = better" mantra, which we can identify with on most Saturdays and Sundays.

ADP got tongues wagging after netting his side's second goal in a 3-0 quarter-final Coppa Italia win over AS Roma yesterday. Not only was it his first strike in 15 appearances, but it was also his first goal in the new Juventus stadium. Image: Getty Images.

Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images.

We didn't actually intend for this to become a regular feature, but during Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Bolton this weekend Andy Carroll took his shirt off, and in doing so, proved he does serve a useful purpose on the football pitch.

Not many people think he does at the mo, so before he has the chance to prove them right later today against Manchester City, we felt this occasion deserved to be marked.

Messi scores another hat trick in victory over Malaga (Photo: Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images)

An inspired three-goal performance from Lionel Messi saw Barcelona defeat Malaga 4-1 at La Rosaleda, keeping the Catalans within striking distance of Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title.

Who should MLS face off against this summer in the All-Star Game? (Getty Images)

Today we learned that Philadelphia and PPL Park would be home to this year's summer friendly for Major League Soccer known as the All Star Game.

But what we don't know is who the MLS All Stars will be facing off against come July.

Ooh, it's a little early for tongue, Nolan. What kind of girls do you think we are? Image: PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images.

Nature abhors a vacuum, Kickettes. It isn't something we made up as a convenient opening remark for a transfer update post, it's the truth.

Don't believe us? Last week, we told you that Ludovic Obraniak had left Lille for Bordeaux, leaving a massive gap in their pretty player quotient.

Tim Ream has seen his last days in MLS. (Getty Images)

Add Tim Ream to the list of Americans on the move this winter. According to reports, the New York Red Bull defender has received his work permit, clearing the way for a permeant move to Bolton.

Ream would leave the New York Red Bulls on a transfer worth £2.

Who does this tasty torso and tent combo belong to? Answers can be found in the relevant section. Image: AP Photo/Frank Augstein.

This weekend's games offered their usual blend of record breaking rude boys, incomprehensible decision making and unnecessarily harsh twists of fate.

Be still our beating hearts; the summer break is a looooong way away.

Gladbach coach Lucien Favre is visibly delighted with his team's performance against Bayern Munich.

(Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

David Beckham is staying in LA for two more years, after that it could be owning a MLS team. (Getty Images)

This is something we've been hearing since 2007. David Beckham has a clause in his contract with Major League Soccer that once he retires, he can buy a MLS franchise.

That much was true with his five-year deal in MLS and it is true once again with his new two-year deal.

Although we realise this 'look' probably wasn't by her choice, Sami Khedira's model/WAG, Lena Gercke, walked the runway at Rebekka Ruetz's Autumn/Winter 2012 fashion show with two of the most terrifying Scouse Brows we've ever seen. Make them stop, Kickettes. We're begging you. Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Europe.

Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe.

Have you noticed that Joey Barton is expressing his musical preferences through head and facial furniture lately ? The Morrissey fetish (and illustrative quiff) has been crushed beneath the weight of his Beatles back catalogue, judging by this photo of him at the QPR FA Cup game this week.

They won 2-1. Imagine what Xavi would have done to celebrate winning the Balon D'or. Image via twitter.

Real talk: how many of you guestimated the measurements of Xavi's youknowwhat?

Copa Del Rey

Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona

No Pepe, we couldn't believe our eyes either.