By DAVID GUBALA

The Chicago Fire departed for Ventura, Calif., on Wednesday with a long-missed face settling back with the team for the first time since the end of the regular season.

After having quite the busy offseason, goalkeeper Sean Johnson finally regrouped with the Fire for their second phase of preseason.

Hope Solo denies an Alex Morgan blast
Can't say there is much to report from U.S. WNT training in chilly Frisco, Texas. All the players are healthy and gunning for spots on the 18-player roster for the New Zealand game, but since there's not much new, we decided to put together a top-10 What's New?

It's been 17 years since Rene Higuita executed his audacious scorpion kick to block a weak shot from Jamie Redknapp in a friendly between England and Colombia at Wembley. Since then, it's become one of the most iconic in the sport's history and has been attempted by goalkeepers and attackers alike, some more successful than others.

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.

photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

D.C. United added more depth to its midfield on Monday, signing a player who is no stranger to MLS.

United announced the acquisition of midfielder Marcelo Saragosa, the 30-year-old Brazilian who previously had stints with FC Dallas and Chivas USA.

All the stuff being covered outside the unfriendly confines of the award-winning Dirty Tackle...

Varese beat Livorno 3-1 during a snow storm last weekend and both goalkeepers probably cried the whole time. [YouTube]

Barnsley goalkeeper David Preece says it's the media keeping gay footballers in the closet.

The U.S. Men's National Team last faced Canada in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, but it's been more than 13 years since the teams met on Canadian soil. With the U.S. and Canada set to face each other in Toronto at 7 p.m. ET on June 3, we took a look at the history between the sides and found some interesting facts.

Footballers already get millions to play a game as their career, delighting in an extended childhood. Why not go all the way and stop for playtime in the snow as well?

Actually, Joel Obi's plunge into a snowbank really just serves as further proof no game should ever be canceled due to snow.

After having been reducing to a flapping and floundering wreck in the Anfield penalty area, David De Gea is likely to have spent much of Sunday in a darkened room shaking at the prospect of being confronted with any of the further tall, muscle bound players the Premier League has to offer. But a twisted ankle suffered by Anders Lindegaard means that Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to be left with no option but to force the young Spaniard to confront his demons in his sides clash with Stoke the evening.

As everyone by now knows, Kris Boyd will officially be a Timber sometime in the next few weeks, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Regardless of how we really feel about that, it sure was exciting to see Merritt Paulson bounding out of the tunnel on his way to us members of the press waiting on the side of the field.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon remains a Union player.

A Union official confirmed Sunday that Mondragon is in camp with the Union and said the club has not talked with Deportivo Cali, despite Colombian reports that Mondragon could sign with his hometown club, Deportivo Cali.

Yesterday's Fire news was firmly in the "not good" category. In case you haven't heard, Josip Mikulic is not with the team as he attends to personal issues. He may never return to the club. Combine this with Yamith Cuesta suddenly being gone (loan ended; Fire opted not to buy) the back line is suddenly very, very thin.

D.C. United's preseason personnel surge continued on Wednesday with the acquisition of Argentine centerback Emiliano Dudar from BSC Young Boys in Switzerland.

The 6-foot-4, 30-year-old Dudar is a player with experience on a number of levels and is a one-time Swiss league Defender of the Year (2009-2010).

It seems like just yesterday the Dynamo played for the MLS Cup in Los Angeles, in fact it was only 66 days ago, but time waits for no one and the new season must get underway. Yesterday at the team's training facilities, the Dynamo did just that, kicking off the 2012 season with the opening of pre-season camp.

The African Cup of Nations is underway, but does it feel like we are missing a few people? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

The 2012 African Cup of Nations kicked off on Saturday, with co-hosts and debutants Equatorial Guinea getting a last-gasp, dramatic 1-0 win over Libya. The likes of Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Demba Ba are chomping at the bit to showcase the quality of football in the African continent, but this year's edition has a number of recognisable absentees.

Panama head coach Julio Dely Valdes has called in 18 players for Wednesday night's friendly against the United States, and the roster features a couple key veterans as well as several young internationals who will be a part of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying in March.
FC Dallas striker Blas Perez has 23 career goals for the marearoja, including two against the United States.

Now that the Timbers have a compliment of 30 players total we can sort of assume that the team is going to settle down a bit and look towards building for their starting 11 in March. I know, I know the hot rumor is that a third DP will be coming soon as a true #9 striker. But even without him we can sort of piece together how the squad will look in this upcoming season as compared to last year.

While MLS has in the last few years reached a level of stability that will hopefully give us a break from our perennial worrying about "the future of the game", the women's pro game is still struggling for survival in this country. The Women's National Team is currently preparing for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament this month and the roster is officially listed as:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart (out of contract), Hope Solo (out of contract)

DEFENDERS (7): Rachel Buehler (Atlanta Beat), Ali Krieger (FFC Frankfurt), Amy LePeilbet (Atlanta Beat), Heather Mitts (out of contract), Kelley O'Hara (Atlanta Beat), Christie Rampone (out of contract), Becky Sauerbrunn (Sky Blue FC)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (out of contract), Tobin Heath (out of contract), Lori Lindsey (Western New York Flash), Carli Lloyd (Atlanta Beat), Heather O'Reilly (Boston Breakers), Megan Rapinoe (out of contract), Amy Rodriguez (out of contract)

FORWARDS (4): Lauren Cheney (out of contract), Sydney Leroux (Atlanta beat), Alex Morgan (Western New York Flash), Abby Wambach (out of contract)

That's 10 players out of 20 who don't currently have a club team, which is remarkable for a country that has dominated the sport internationally for decades.

Yay, another day, another MLS draft. Today should be the last one for a while (that is unless there is a lottery taking place which could very well happen here soon too). The MLS SuperDraft was cut a round for the second straight season and because of that the Supplemental Draft's first round will still feel like the SuperDraft's third round to some.

Everton have risen to the top of likeliest destination for National Team players in the Premier League, bringing in Ingolstadt forward Edson Buddle for a week-long trial. USA goalkeepers Tim Howard and Marcus Hahnemann already play for the club, with Landon Donovan joining them on an MLS off-season loan deal.

Just seen this on Twitter:

Paul Robinson (12) has conceded 4 more goals from outside the box this season than any other keeper in the league (Wayne Hennessey 8)

I have been banging on about Paul Robinson not being a good goalkeeper for years now. He is very good at the reflex stuff that look good on TV, but consistently posts saves/shots ratios that are worse than most other goalkeepers, mainly because he seems hugely vulnerable to shots from a bit further out.

The Quakes had 3 picks in the 2012 SuperDraft. In their first pick they selected a Generation Adidas forward from UC Santa Barbara, Sam Garza (seen above), with the No. 6 overall pick. The team picked up Jacob Hustedt, midfielder, from the University of Washington with the 25th pick (6th in round 2) and Chris Blais, goalkeeper, from the University of South Florida with the 33rd pick (14th in round 2).

Saturday Aston Villa - Everton 12pm - Fox Soccer Potentially a chance to see LA Galaxy teammates Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane face each other at Premier League level, with Keane signing a loan deal with Villa. Assuming Brad Guzan stays in goal for the home team, this is another battle of the American goalkeepers for Tim Howard.

By FRANCO PANIZO

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The 2012 MLS Combine has come to a close, but not before several players used the event to help their stock while others did not.

In a class dominated by attacking talent, several forwards and creative midfielders enjoyed strong combines, showcasing their goal-scoring and playmaking abilities.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

Tweet from SBI: "I'm told Philadelphia Union midfielder Michael Farfan will be heading to England for a training stint with Premier League side Sunderland." As of this writing, we are waiting for confirmation from the Union about this report.

So the Premier League season is finally here, it's Tottenham Hotspur's opening game versus Everton..........

That's how the preview for this one should have started, but the unfortunate and unseemly rioting of early August put paid to Spurs opening fixture. Now this is the game in hand it's vital that Spurs get maximum points if they want to be taken seriously as title challengers.

Tim Howard is a class dude. Not only is he a world-class keeper, but seems to be a quality guy.
Yesterday the Everton and US national team keeper scored a goal for the ages. He bombed a 90-yard clearance from his own goal area in a Premier League match against Bolton. A fierce wind turned what should have been a three-quarter pitch reset ball into an historic goal.

Tim Krul has made a good start to his career as the Newcastle number one goalkeeper. Tim Krul playing well at Newcastle But after years behind both Shay Given and Steve Harper he will have been well schooled in not taking anything for granted, and also having good relationships with the other goalkeepers, even though they are competing for his spot in the side.

Part I of the 2nd Annual Yanks Are Coming Best of US Soccer Awards featured 2011′s US Soccer disappointments, frustrations, and best hairdo. The second portion of our awards focuses on the promise of youth, goalkeepers, and the goals scored in what was a thrilling year in American soccer. Again, a list of the finalists [.

Let's face it - we all love SZCZ. Since Jens was dropped in 2007 (in my opinion ill-advisedly) we've had to put up with some of the less convincing goalkeepers in Arsenal's history, namely Almunia, Fabianski and Mannone.

Last week I touched upon our feeling as supporters around the squad; how the bonhomie appears to have improved. This both between the players and according to the respect that radiates out from fans compared with six months ago. I met little opposition to the supposition that the supporters were more tolerant with this more experienced roster than last year's.

I think everyone, including Wenger, is aware that Arsenal need to bolster the squad in the upcoming transfer window. Few agree on the exact details but defence and striker appear to be two positions where most would want reinforcements. I was thinking about the possibilities while looking at the current squad and it seems like a very complicated situation for the Gunners.

I think everyone, including Wenger, is aware that Arsenal need to bolster the squad in the upcoming transfer window. Few agree on the exact details but defence and striker appear to be two positions where most would want reinforcements. I was thinking about the possibilities while looking at the current squad and it seems like a very complicated situation for the Gunners.

Stand-in superstars: Chris Woods, Nigel Spink, Tony Parks and Les Sealey

After Blackburn No 2 Mark Bunn hit the headlines with his stunning saves at Anfield, Sportsmail remembers five other reserve goalkeepers who grabbed their chance to shine.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-27 21:35:02 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Even the return of captain Steven Gerrard after a two-month absence failed to lift Liverpool out of their current Anfield malaise as the Barlcays Premier League's bottom club Blackburn left with a point they barely deserved.
The England international, sidelined since October with an ankle problem, played the final 21 minutes but could not inspire a change in fortunes.

Despite the high number of goals being scored this season in the English Premier League, the form of goalkeepers has continued to impress me. There are many keepers who have outshined their outfield players despite conceding goals and the number of penalty saves this season has been impressive.

• Kop That: Sportsmail review of 2011: June http://t.co/hgOkr87t 21:45:37, 2011-12-24
• Kop That: Kop That: A Day In Tweets... http://t.co/y0kdCj9c 20:00:13, 2011-12-24
• Kop That: Boxing Day Against Blackburn http://t.co/TkGhGZ8Y 19:57:35, 2011-12-24
• The Kop That Daily is out!

Jose Reina has bemoaned the form of his opposite numbers when coming up against Liverpool.
The Anfield goalkeeper is rated as one of the best in the business, but he is more concerned by the form of fellow shot-stoppers who are preventing Kenny Dalglish's side from pushing up the Premier League table.

Reina bemoans form of opposition goalkeepers against Liverpool

But Anfield shot-stopper is keen to take positives from own defensive record

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-12-24 13:07:00 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Kenny Dalglish insists Luis Suarez has never been a disappointment for Liverpool, as the storm of controversy continues to surround the striker.
The Uruguayan started his club's 0-0 draw at Wigan on Wednesday less than 24 hours after being hit with a Football Association ban of eight matches and a fine of £40,000 for allegedly racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.