In 1975 Admiral took over the design of the iconic Manchester United shirt. They continued until 1980, where Adidas attained the honour. But, for 5 years that striped collar and cuff ensemble was synonymous with the sexy fleet-footed wingers and the free flowing football that stole my heart and ensured I supported the Red Devils [.

More stadium porn, as this BBVA Compass Stadium just gets closer and closer to being done every day. This is from the always great Keeper Notes crew.

A few takeaways. First, Wow. Coming through that tunnel, the first look to the right brings my eye directly, DIRECTLY, to my seats.

We have turned a corner to a certain extent in terms of defending. With the likes of Vermaelan, Koscielny, Mertesacker filling the heart of our defence we have added a certain solidarity to our defending. I'm not saying it's been completely fixed, it hasn't, however, I for one feel like we can finally hold onto [.

It would appear the Seattle Sounders may be getting close to announcing details of their summer friendly. A league source has confirmed to Sounder at Heart what Michael C. Lewis originally tweeted that the Sounders' home game against Real Salt Lake will be moved from July 18 to Oct. 17 in order to accomodate an international friendly.

Sky TV were quick to give the champagne to Scott Parker last night and while it's hard to argue with that assessment, were there other, more worthy candidates at the heart of Spurs defence?
Speaking after the game, TV pundit Gary Neville pointed to a previous ‘soft centre' in the Tottenham side which would have seen us lose a match like that in the past and that's why he agreed with the Parker decision.

Well, what a difference a day makes.

Emotionally we've gone from disappointed and disillusioned to euphoric over the result of one game. Beating Blackburn 7-1 was the sort of result we needed to awaken our supporters.

Arsenal played the sort of football that we all love to watch and for once the end result substantiated the level of our overall performance.

Images: MadridAtleticos.com & Autobild.es.

The Atletico Madrid men were out in full press call-posing force last week, making nice with their club's newest sponsor, Volkswagen.

After the flash bulbs took a breather, the squad was given instructions on how to activate the automatic hair gel dispensers that were custom fit to each player's new (free) Beatle.

It happens to the best of us.

Well, not us personally, but it does occur nonetheless.

The gradual decline of attractiveness is a peculiar one, and we have to admit we've felt it happening to one of our former beloved 'ballers, Wayne Bridge.

Sure, his career has been nothing short of sinking ship, playing for three teams in as many years since parting ways with Chelsea FC.

Sounder at Heart is co-hosting (along with Golazo) an away viewing party for the second leg of the Sounders-Santos Laguna CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal on March 14 from 4 p.m.-9:30ish. The event will double as our scarf distribution event. We of course appreciate those of you who have bought and will buy scarves, but buying a scarf is not a mandatory part of attending.

Out of what passes as the kindness from what passes as my heart, let's officially kick off your summer window mental instability with a fun fact (that was tipped off by MLSS homey, the Armchair Analyst).I can confirm that our faithful friend Fulham is among the clubs sizing up Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan for summer.

The 2012 NHL Draft is still a ways away. It will take place at Consol Energy Center in the city of Pittsburgh starting on July 22nd. However, it's never too early to take a look at the best prospect available for the draft.

While there are a number of international players at the top of the list, there is also quite a bit of domestic talent.

Both immovable object and unstoppable force, allowing nothing to knock him off course in pursuit of the ball no matter the cost and never conceding the battle as lost. Over ninety minutes or nine hard years, through promotion joy and play-off tears, no one gave more than this fellow fan, the local boy we watched grow to a man.

Ron Clark has a fantastic article up at CNN highlighting the flight of teachers from the profession, in part because of trouble dealing with parents. Reading it, I saw a lot of parallels with coaching youth sports and dealing with soccer parents, which can have a huge impact on a team and player development.

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour—his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle — victorious." - Vince Lombardi
Nothing feels better than taking on a challenge by working to the full extent of your physical abilities, and lying there exhausted after you've defeated it.

On Sunday at Westpac Stadium, Wellington Phoenix came up with a crucial win against visiting Melbourne Heart to move into sole possession of second place in the A-League.

Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, is getting ready to kick Peyton Manning to the curb. It's obvious to anyone who has been paying attention. And while I don't have a problem with that, I do have a problem with the way Irsay is handling it.

Instead of giving Manning and heart-felt send off, Irsay is instead running Manning's name through the mud.

After an impressive two game road trip that earned six points, third place Wellington Phoenix return home to host fourth place Melbourne Heart in a crucial A-League game at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Midfield Hernanes The Brazilian playmaker was undoubtedly Lazio's best signing of last season. He has continued his excellent form into the new season, operating in the heart of Lazio's midfield and supplying new-boy Miroslav Klose with the service that has helped him notch up 9 goals so far. If Lazio are to pursue success in the Europa League along with their ambitions to claim a Champions.

Their Words We said from day one that we would do everything first-class. To bring the best of the sport to Philadelphia in just three years is great. We got a franchise and the All-Star Game. There's only one thing left – it's shiny and you can drink out of it. Philadelphia Union chairman Jay Sugarman.

By Chris Wright

Like a deleted scene from the airport bit in Love Actually, Leicester City pair Sean St. Ledger and Kasper Schmeichel touch nipples to celebrate their 2-0 win over Southampton last night...

Beautiful.

With love blossoming all around at St.

TFC training camp opens this week and it would be great to feel that anticipation for a new season rising in one's heart. New season, new faces would be a great motto for TFC to adopt. Toronto certainly seems to have roster spots available.
In the month of January we have spent more time waving goodbye than waving hello.

Once again back is the incredible...You're not even going to fully realize how sick this corker by Inter Milan's Maicon really is until you see the final replay angle.I supposed we could say the same of Robbie Keane's second strike this weekend. And remember: EPL = MLS old folks vacation spot.Fenerbahçe's Miroslav Stoch saunters in from the wing to bury one after my own playing heart.

Harry Redknapp praised his players after yesterday's agonising defeat at Manchester City and at one point, the manager and his bench were convinced that Jermain Defoe had snatched a late winner.

"Gareth rolled the ball square to Jermain and we were all up on our feet ready for the ball to be put into the empty net," Harry said.

Oh it's happening, Kickettes. And it will be starring a real live WAG.

Jessica Lawlor, girlfriend of Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland confirmed on Twitter this morning that she will have a role in WAG! The Musical. Jess added,

In my role I am simply making fun out of the pre conception that ppl have formed of 'WAGS'.

It's always nice to know that people read your work, and when they do they take it to heart. Clearly, Pablo Hernández has a good understanding of English and reads The Offside, because just days after I called him rubbish and whatnot, he put on a blinder of a performance against Levante in the Copa del Rey.

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.

This must be the millionth time I've said this, but I can't say it enough, because this team keeps on giving me reason to. I am so fucking proud of them. I love them so fucking much. This team is just something else. Such pride, such heart, it's unmatchable. After the last Clasico, where we beat them 3-1, I was talking to a fellow Culita about how Barca play these games and win them with their hearts.

This must be the millionth time I've said this, but I can't say it enough, because this team keeps on giving me reason to. I am so fucking proud of them. I love them so fucking much. This team is just something else. Such pride, such heart, it's unmatchable. After the last Clasico, where we beat them 3-1, I was talking to a fellow Culita about how Barca play these games and win them with their hearts.

Puebla FC is a professional football club. It is based in Mexico. USMNT player Herculez Gomez played for them. Currently, DeMarcus Beasley plays for them. In the US, teams go belly up and enter bankruptcy. In the UK, they enter administration. In Mexico, things are a bit more gun ho due to a recent tax dispute between the state and federal government, the Mexican Federal Government seized Puebla's stadium, equipment, and even their coach bus.

I exaggerate to make a point, of course, but the game yesterday seemed to sum up 'bad Fulham' under Martin Jol. When we get it right, we're excellent. When we don't we're extremely frustrating. This is shown in the second diagram, illustrating our habit of trying to walk the ball through massed defences (who have funneled us accordingly, knowing that we can't hurt them wide).

This afternoon is a must win game for Chelsea and it really is as simple as that. We cannot afford to drop points over the next few weeks as we need to try and close the gap to the sides above us now in the league.
AVB and his Chelsea players have a job on their hands this afternoon as a rejuvenated Sunderland side under new man-manager Martin O'Neill travel to the Bridge with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Almost a year ago, in the Evening Standard of 20 January 2011, Arsene Wenger was quoted at saying:

We have a shared leadership in our team, but I believe Fabregas is an outstanding leader, especially when you consider he is 23 years old, with personality and character and Van Persie as well.

Somehow, it works out so I am off during the MLS SuperDraft 2012, and thus I've taken on the responsibility of live-blogging the first (and maybe) second round. It's being aired on ESPN2, TSN2 and RDS2 at 11AM CST. That means there are about 3 hours remaining until the Montreal L'Impact -- barring any trades or moves, are on the clock for the 1st overall selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

UPDATE: There were 230 orders placed during the pre-order phase. Thanks to everyone who placed an order. We Will still have about 100 left to sell, but they are now $20. Thanks for the support. Details should be finalized soon on the March 14 away-viewing party.

NOTE: As a point of clarification, the pre-order price of $15 is good until Jan.

Bolton's star defender Gary Cahill is close to completing a switch to Chelsea and join his international teammate John Terry in the heart of Andre Villas-Boas' back four. Chelsea have been far from consistent at the back this season ... Continue reading →

As you've no doubt heard, Jay-Z and Beyonce have welcomed their daughter to the world. Named Blue Ivy Carter, Jay-z and Beyonce's daughter is destined for superstardom. In fact, seconds after being born, Blue Ivy was featured on a Jay-Z song.

For proof, listen to the Jay-Z song at the end of this entry dedicated to Beyonce's daughter.

With the holiday season in our rearview mirrors, the MLS pre-season is about to kick into gear. Likewise, the USMNT returns to action with the annual January camp and friendlies. But we begin with the different roster trajectories of the two biggest names in American club soccer...

The Perils of Success

It seemed that the price of the Galaxy's 2011 success would be an off-season dismantling, headlined by the long-rumored departure of David Beckham.

The New England Revolution could have filled two of needs with the signing of central defender John Lozano and midfielder/forward Fernando Cárdenas.

"Both John and Fernando have experience playing in Colombia's top division, both with and against some of CONCACAF's top club teams," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said.

Sounder at Heart reacted immediately yesterday to the MLS schedule announcement, posting an analysis of strength of schedule. They did a great job collecting the data, and concluded that "Seattle's getting it about as good as you can get it in the West, but of course the league bends over backwards for the Galaxy once again.

Goal: Jonjo Shelvey reveals Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard broke his heart five years ago when boyhood team West Ham lost FA Cup final

The young Reds midfielder is expected to start against Oldham in the third round of the competition and hopes the journey leads to him lifting the world's oldest domestic cup

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-06 12:16:00 from: Goal

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