Du Nord 19 November @ 05:17 PM EST
FYII will be off Friday and Monday enjoying all that Seattle has to offer. So our good friend Graham
Fox will be filling in. I have no doubt you will like it. His work here in the past has been
fantastic. Have fun everyone, and don't miss MLS Cup.
- Bruce
STARTERSIf last Saturday's USA game at Slovakia was disappointing, then yesterday's game at Denmark was
down right pathetic.
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by FRANCO PANIZO
Thierry Henry's handball heard around the world helped secure France's passage to the 2010 World
Cup, but the French may not be through to South Africa yet.
The Irish federation has appealed Wednesday's night 1-1 result (2-1 aggregate advantage for
France), and is demanding that France replay the second leg of the playoff.
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by FRANCO PANIZO
Thierry Henry's handball heard around the world helped secure France's passage to the 2010 World
Cup, but the French may not be through to South Africa yet.
The Irish federation has appealed Wednesday's night 1-1 result (2-1 aggregate advantage for
France), and is demanding that France replay the second leg of the playoff.
Click to continue reading...
WorldCupBlog 19 November @ 09:40 AM EST
The games didn't really have everything, did they? The results did some upsets, some heroics, a
few of the expected teams going in but outside of the one game which forced a playoff (Egypt 2
Algeria 0), some of these games were completely zapped of the necessary drama.
(Not, of course, that one played in the Stade de France.
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by TRAVIS CLARK
After three years of World Cup qualifying, the 32-team tournament field is set for next summer.
Attention now turns to the December 4 draw in Cape Town, when the 32 nation field will learn their
fate.
It was a hectic day across several continents as the final six spots were sewn up.
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by TRAVIS CLARK
After three years of World Cup qualifying, the 32-team tournament field is set for next summer.
Attention now turns to the December 4 draw in Cape Town, when the 32 nation field will learn their
fate.
It was a hectic day across several continents as the final six spots were sewn up.
Click to continue reading...
Slovenia managed a shock victory over Guus Hiddink's Russia to reach the World Cup Finals.
Don't forget to check out Online Football Manager!
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I've just heard the news that Russia have failed to qualify for the World Cup.
I suppose it's our fault for not giving Roman Pavlyuchenko enough playing time? I do wonder what
'the world's greatest manager', Hiddink, will do now (Chelsea anyone)?
Didn't it bug you the way the Dutchman went on last season, telling us all just how good
Pavlyuchenko was?
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EPL Talk 16 November @ 08:22 AM EST
In partnership with Russian Football Now, EPL Talk presents the fourteenth
episode of RFN's podcast.
Russia has pulled ahead of Slovenia after leg one, but thanks to a late goal from the Slovenes,
the favorites are in a precarious place ahead of Wendesday's second leg.
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EPL Talk 12 November @ 08:48 AM EST
In partnership with Russian Football Now, EPL Talk presents the thirteenth
episode of RNF's podcast.
Two close losses to Germany in UEFA World Cup qualifying has the Russian national team in a
two-legged playoff with Slovenia. Many see this as the most lopsided of the four UEFA qualifying
playoffs, though Slovenia who allowed only four goal in ten qualifiers should give the Russians
significant problems.
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In following with this week's pattern of posting hilarious pictures, photoshopped or no, we
bring you this marvelous offering from the Sun. Luckily, the accompanying interview is not half
bad. Thanks to reader Chelsea for the heads up.
Q: When Nicolas signed did you feel, Didier, you had to prove you were
better?
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Anfield Talk 08 November @ 01:12 PM EST
When Guus Hiddink sneezes, Roman Abramovich catches a cold and Vladimir Putin develops a nervous
cough.
They'd better order additional supplies of extra strength tissues for Manchester United's visit to
Stamford Bridge today.
Hiddink – like another student of socialism, Sir Alex Ferguson – understands how to use the
cult of personality, welded around strong leaders.
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I have a huge amount of respect for Frank Lowry. Five years ago Frank was the driving force behind
the rebirth of football in this country. The creation of the A-league, the move to Asia and the
recruitment of Guus Hiddink all contributed to a resurgence of the game here in Australia.
However I do wonder if Frank understands that all of this new found love for the game may evaporate
if a few missteps are made.
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With the Ballon d'Or nominations finally releasing this weekend, the headlines have mostly been
devoted to the fact that world champions Italy have no representation whatsoever. But why blame the
press for paying excessive attention to an irrelevant detail? After all, the award itself is
destined to be heading Lionel Messi's way, which means very little is there to be talked about in
terms of debating the winner, right?
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Here we go back with the Premier League and a trip to Villa Park for the early kick off. The same
game last season, Guus Hiddink's first as Manager of Chelsea ignited the spark that set up our
fantastic end of season run in. This time its different as we sit top of the league and we will be
looking to extend our advantage in a game that is no easy three pointer!
Click to continue reading...
Here we go back with the Premier League and a trip to Villa Park for the early kick off. The same
game last season, Guus Hiddink's first as Manager of Chelsea ignited the spark that set up our
fantastic end of season run in. This time its different as we sit top of the league and we will be
looking to extend our advantage in a game that is no easy three pointer!
Click to continue reading...
EPL Talk 12 October @ 04:33 PM EST
In partnership with Russian Football Now, EPL Talk presents the eighth
episode of RNF's podcast.
After months of build-up, the German national team's trip to Moscow lived up to the hype.
Punching their ticket to the World Cup, Germany downed the upstart Russians 1-0, leaving hosts
Chris Riordan and Richard Farley to explain where things went wrong for Guss Hiddink's men.
Click to continue reading...
By TRAVIS CLARK
With just two World Cup qualifying matches left for just about every country, it's the last
chance for many countries to make a push at a spot in South Africa next year. Perhaps the best
match slated for this weekend is the matchup between Germany and Russia.
Click to continue reading...
By TRAVIS CLARK
With just two World Cup qualifying matches left for just about every country, it's the last
chance for many countries to make a push at a spot in South Africa next year. Perhaps the best
match slated for this weekend is the matchup between Germany and Russia.
Click to continue reading...
bridge views 28 September @ 10:28 AM EST
Both this year and last much has been said about the age of Chelsea's squad and how it will
hinder the club's charge for the title. Having kept detailed stats – on both the team's
performance and for individual players – since the Premier League began back in August I decided
to take a look back at the records for the season so far to see what, if anything, they told us
about the impact of an ageing squad.
Click to continue reading...
bridge views 28 September @ 10:28 AM EST
Both this year and last much has been said about the age of Chelsea's squad and how it will
hinder the club's charge for the title. Having kept detailed stats – on both the team's
performance and for individual players – since the Premier League began back in August I decided
to take a look back at the records for the season so far to see what, if anything, they told us
about the impact of an ageing squad.
Click to continue reading...
For all of the praise that Bob Bradley has gotten and deserved for his win in Switzerland
(breaking a 5 game European losing streak), 2007 Gold Cup champions, wins against Egypt and Spain,
and 2009 Confederation Cup runners-up, he has gotten condemned for unimaginative performances
against El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup Qualifying.
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Yes the USA is very close to qualifying for the 2010 World Cup for next summer and this coming
October there will be two more matches remaining for the Nats when they visit Honduras on the 10th
& home against Costa Rica on the 14th. Once the official word comes from FIFA that our boys have
qualified for South Africa then we can watch the World Cup Draw this coming December 5th.
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Arseblog 09 September @ 02:49 AM EST
Tonight the Arthurs, Hildas and Lionels of the football world will play each other and when the
games are over our players will come back in wheelchairs, on crutches and with stitches in their
groins and everything shall return to normal once again.
Russia play Wales and there are still some doubts over the fitness of Andrei Arshavin.
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Soccerblog 03 September @ 07:40 AM EST
Big losses to Spurs and Villa are not what Rafa Benitez had in mind when the season began. The
pundits were pegging Liverpool to win the Premiership. The stuttering start has taken its toll and
there are rumours that the Reds dressing room atmosphere is less salubrious nowadays.
Rafa had gotten into a well publicized spat before with Steven Gerrard who looked like a shadow
of himself in the Spurs match but it is Ryan Babel who is getting the business end of the stick and
was singled out for the team's pathetic display.
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Is Harry playing it cool on the 'Cole' issue?
Recent quotes from Harry Redknapp in relation to the protracted speculation about a move for
Chelsea man Joe Cole can be read in a number of ways, and perhaps that is just how Harry Redknapp
would like it?
Here's what the White Hart Lane boss was quoted as saying.
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FOOTBALLSUP 24 August @ 10:27 AM EST
As seen on Sunday and reported here, Kevin Keegan will be ESPN's lead analyst on their Premier
League coverage this season. He joins Ray Stubbs and Guus Hiddink for the American network's
virginal attempt at English football coverage.
I would love it if he is good.
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Fantasy EPL 19 August @ 09:07 PM EST
So, what do we know after either one or two matches per team? I have to say, not a heck of a lot.
Here's a quick recap of my observations...
1) CoverItLive is a really great tool - thank you to everyone who showed up to the blog over the
weekend and contributed their observations and questions - it was a blast and one that we'll
re-create as frequently as we can (sorry, mid-week won't work because I have a day job and Premier
League matches are generally on at 3 PM on the East Coast of the US).
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Soccer Pie 16 August @ 02:36 AM EST
Russian Premier League has been established in 2001 and has since become one of the strongest
leagues in Europe. The top tier of Russian football is currently ranked as 6th best league
in Europe, mostly thanks to the success of teams from Russia in European competitions.
This competition is attracting big crowds in the biggest country in the World and
the quality of football does not fall too far behind their English counterpart.
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EPL Talk 14 August @ 12:04 PM EST
Finally.
The 2009-2010 English Premier League season is less than 24 hours away and, for the next few
hours, everybody is in a Champions League spot.
Of course, a pessimist would point out that everyone is also in the drop zone.
Whatever.
Let's get into some previews for week one, shall we?
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Let's get this annual shambles out of the way then.
ST's CUAS Predictions for the 2009/10 Premier League Season
1. Liverpool
I can't believe I've done this. Do I really think that Liverpool are going to finally win the title
this year? Maybe I am. Before last year, it looked as though Rafa's priorites lay elsewhere, but
they came desperately close last season and Fernando Torres proved what a wonderful player he is.
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Soccer Pie 10 August @ 07:53 AM EST
Chelsea have just won the Community Shield trophy and even though it is not a
very important one, it will, nevertheless, serve as a big confidence boost for the Blues. With both
Manchester United and Liverpool looking weaker than last season, Chelsea seem to have a great
opportunity to win back the Premiership title from United.
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Bad news for Mr. Ancelotti!
Andrea Pirlo has ended speculation that he will join Chelsea by announcing that he has
been taken off the transfer market by AC Milan and hopes to stay with the Serie A side for the rest
of his career.
Andrea Pirlo hopes to help AC Milan overcome the loss of Paolo Maldini and Kaka this season.
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Stamford Bridge side seal long term deal for Ivorian striker.
Didier Drogba has today signed a new deal at Chelsea that will keep him at Stamford
Bridge until at least 2012.
The striker, who for much of last season looked as though he might leave the Blues whilst Luiz
Felipe Scolari was manager at the club before reviving his form under the leadership of Guus
Hiddink, was delighted to have signed the new deal.
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Video plays better with MUTE button on
The best player on the pitch in the FA Cup, Florent Malouda, was also the best player on the pitch
in the 2nd half of Chelsea's 2-0 pre-season win over Club America last night.
Malouda scored one goal and set up another - with a delightful chip to Franco di Santo.
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