A dictionary definition of "hope" is: "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best."

In recent games there have been certain Arsenal players who, when they receive the ball, induce in me the opposite of hope.

What I mean by this is the very personal effect they have on me when watching the game.

A dictionary definition of "hope" is: "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best."

In recent games there have been certain Arsenal players who, when they receive the ball, induce in me the opposite of hope.

What I mean by this is the very personal effect they have on me when watching the game.

It's been awhile since I trawled through the Guardian chalkboards for interesting items. I know, we all missed it.
I remain convinced that Liverpool changed tact in midfield during the interval. The key seemed to be Spearing, more willing to stay in his own half and shield the defense rather than pressing higher up the pitch and leaving gaps.

Surprised? No. Disappointed? Of course.

Watching that match was painful, and I'm sure most of you caught the match. I will describe the match in laconic detail, in order to spare us the pain:

First Half: We were dire. Really, really dire. We couldn't get out of own half for most of the half, as United, who weren't so hot themselves, probed for an opener.

In a way this was a fairy tale return for Thierry Henry. Wenger acknowledged as much in his post-match press conference when he said,

It was like a dream when he scored, it was the story you would tell a kid. It is not often like that in our game.

But one could as well say there was an air of predictability about the football and the result.

What has two thumbs and couldn't be more desperate to leave?Hold tight comrades, this is the serious shit now. Rejuvenated Sunderland came to the Lane on Sunday with a cunning plan to further derail our campaign after the damage inflicted by Corporal Pulis' Stoke Taskforce the week before (ably assisted by rear gunner Foy, it must be said).

Goals:
Kompany 31'
Lescott (og) 33'
I guess a second consecutive late winner against more-fancied opposition is asking too much. Still, if not for Joe Hart, we'd be reveling in one.
Today's match was far more in line with what I expected last week against Chelsea.

I have stated that AVB's bubble has burst in the title of this post and this is exactly what has happened yesterday. For too long we have seen our defensive deficiencies and we knew we had been struggling to keep clean sheets. After conceding three a Old Trafford we were worried but the fact we played so well in attacking United it was more or less played down.

Álvaro Saborío scored two for Real Salt Lake, and the Seattle Sounders reacted with frustration to their 3-0 loss in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals. RSL dominated from the early minutes, pounding eleven shots at Seattle's geriatric keeper while holding the Flounders to exactly zero shots on target for the duration of the match.

When I saw the starting line-ups, my initial reaction was that this was going to be a very tough game that will demand a special performance from the Gunners if they were to qualify. After the final whistle, I doubt anyone will argue that it wasn't an exceptional effort from an interesting collection of young and experienced footballers in red and white.

Goals:
Gerrard 68'
Chicharito 81'
So close. But Liverpool can't take full advantage of chances created, and United keeps scoring late goals. Narratives are awesome.
Both managers would have been happy with the first hour of play. United's surprisingly defensive lineup – without Rooney, Nani, and Chicharito and with Phil Jones in midfield – limited Liverpool opportunities.

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the United States National Team players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue contributed ratings for the USA's 1-0 victory over Honduras.

Match Review: Liverpool 2 Wolves 1

Liverpool bounced back from their defeat against Spurs with three points against Wolves at Anfield yesterday. The win ended a spell of two league defeats for the Reds and saw them climb back up to 6th in the table claim their first September Premier League win since the 6-1 victory over Hull City in 2009.

Liverpool U18s are still chasing their first home win of the season after a last-gasp equaliser earned Barnsley a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon.
Mike Marsh's youngsters edged a keenly-contested encounter and looked like taking the spoils through Kristoffer Peterson's header after Jordan Clark's stunning strike had cancelled out Josh Sumner's sublime opener.

Liverpool U18s are still chasing their first home win of the season after a last-gasp equaliser earned Barnsley a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon.
Mike Marsh's youngsters edged a keenly-contested encounter and looked like taking the spoils through Kristoffer Peterson's header after Jordan Clark's stunning strike had cancelled out Josh Sumner's sublime opener.

Quick Recap:

One team came out like their playoffs were on the line and another came out just to play. The Houston Dynamo take a 2-0 lead in the first half and never look back. 2-1 Portland Timbers lose.

First Half:

Portland came out and played like they usually play on the road, tentative.

Two preventable set-piece goals meant Liverpool left Sincil Bank with nothing after a highly entertaining game in front of the ESPN cameras on Saturday.
Despite first-half goals from Katie Brusell and Nicky Twohig, Robbie Johnson's side were unable to build on last week's first WSL victory as they were twice denied by the woodwork in a 4-2 defeat to Lincoln.

Marco Pappa (left) and Justin Mapp
-- Getty ImagesBy Charlie Corr
ESPNChicago.com
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The Chicago Fire dominated on the attack and had one of their best stretches of passing and movement of the season. But the Philadelphia Union capitalized on its one half-chance and the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in front of 10,557 at Toyota Park on Wednesday.

The Timbers limped into the derby on a six match winless slide while the Sounders came in red hot unbeaten in seven.
Portland's Strategy
For the second straight match, Kenny Cooper was left on the bench. John Spencer elected to play 4-1-4-1 to congest the midfield. Marcelin was brought on and played in a defensive midfield role for Portland.

It took a late equalizer, but KC moved their unbeaten run in all competitions to 12 games, tying a team record last night with their 1-1 draw with Chivas USA. At times KC didn't look like they were going to get the result, either due to the offense not really clicking early on, or late saves by Chivas keeper, Dan Kennedy, it looked like the streak would end.

Quick and Dirty Recap:
No one scored. Sean Johnson had one excellent save on a Collin Warner shot. On this play Jamison Olave juked past Segares and put a square ball in towards the spot. Yamith Cuesta missed the ball as he dove for it giving Warner the clear look. Excellent save by Johnson who continues to be in top form.

J Hutcherson writes of five things to look at following the US 2-0 victory over Canada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
In the aftermath of the USA's clinical treatment of Canada in the opening night of Group C, we look at five things to carry forward into the second set of games on the Gold Cup schedule.

Well in my prediction on Friday night I said that this game looked like it would be a dull, drab 0-0 or 1-0 result, and it turned out to be exactly that. After Toronto's 6-2 loss last week I expected them to sit a little deeper and play a similar game plan to the one KC did in Seattle after losing 4-1 to LA.

Associated Press

In their final preparation match for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the United States were outclassed by the 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain, as the visitors dominated 4-0.

The Americans came into this match simply wanting to stay healthy, while co-mingling younger, less experienced players with a few veterans.

The New England Revolution failed to extend their shutout streak or their unbeaten streak Saturday night when they lost 2-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium. Ellis McLoughlin and Bobby Convey were the scorers for the Quakes while Chris Tierney's first goal of the season earned the Revs their consolation.

After each match the contributors to New England Soccer Today will rate the performances of the New England Revolution players who made an appearance on a 1 to 10 scale (1 horrendous, 5 average, 10 perfection). This week Sean Donahue and Brian O'Connell contributed ratings for the Revs 1-0 win over Vancouver.

FOXBOROUGH, MA - The New England Revolution and the Colorado Rapids played to a 0-0 draw at Gillette Stadium Saturday night in a match that will leave the home side ruing missed chances. The weather threatened to put a damper on proceedings but, in the end, the 11,755-strong crowd could only look on helplessly as their heroes failed to capitalize on the opportunities they were presented.

RoM gave away two tickets to the Champions League semi-final to Mike Parkinson from Ashton under Lyne.

The experience of going to watch United is the same every time. You get yourself to Stretford, walk down the Warwick Road and enter Old Trafford to see the reds.

The good weather made it a warm balmy night so good for football.

On a rainy day on the western shore of England, Blackpool put a scare into the Red Devils of Manchester in an entertaining match. In the end, United prevailed as the Tangerines were unable to finish off the League leaders, 2-3.

FORMATIONS: Both teams fielded 4-3-3 formations.

Goals from Meireles and Kuyt aren't enough as the points are shared.

For the first 45 minutes, the script seemed to be playing out almost exactly as planned. Kenny Dalglish back on the Anfield touchline facing Everton in the derby, and Liverpool playing positive, pressing, attractive football.