Egypt head coach Bob Bradley and his team are scheduled to open their qualifying campaign for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on Feb. 29, but that could be pushed back after the Egyptian Federation requested a postponement.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that its road match against Central African Republic be postponed due to the events that transpired in Port Said last Wednesday.

I'm under a directive to burn some vacation hours so will take an extended break through next Tuesday. That means no column next week, but one of this country's best soccer writers has stepped in with an apt Galaxy-centric column that breaks down the past and, hopefully, future sucess of

photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

Conmebol's Copa America is the oldest international continental tournament in soccer, and 2016 will mark its 100th birthday.

That could also be the year that many American soccer fans have a dream come true.

According to Mexican outlet mediotiempo.

photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

The U.S. men's national team's rumored friendly against Brazil has been confirmed, and FedExField will be the site for its location.

In preparation for World Cup qualifying, the United States will host Brazil on May 30 at the home of the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md.

The inevitable African Cup of Nations championship matchup between the continent's two powerhouses has made way for a title game involving an underdog side that is a win away from capping off a Hollywood-worthy script.

Upstart Zambia shocked favored Ghana, 1-0, to advance to the tournament final and prevent the Black Stars from seeking redemption for their loss in the 2010 final.

There is plenty of high-profile soccer going on around the world this Wednesday, but perhaps no games carry as much significance as the two African Cup of Nations semifinals. Ivory Coast and Ghana took care of business in the African Cup of Nations quarterfinals with matching 3-0 victories, and all that stands in the way of a star-studded tournament final is one more win for each team.

The recent upheaval following a club match in Egypt that left 74 people dead and more than a thousand others injured could have easily convinced Bob Bradley to pack up his things and return to the comfort of the United States.

Instead, the former U.S. national team coach and current Egypt national team coach reportedly remains committed to his job while doing his part in the rebuilding of a nation.

Sporting Kansas City's quest to repeat as Eastern Conference regular season champions began today with a 2-1 pre-season victory against the San Jose Earthquakes in the pre-season opener for both clubs.

Kansas City midfielder Konrad Warzycha delivered the game-winning goal, converting a free kick to break a 1-1 deadlock.

After winning their respective groups, Ivory Coast and Ghana are on a crash course for a high-profile final at the African Cup of Nations, but there is still work to be done before the top two African nations do battle for the continent's top prize.

The Elephants, one of two sides to secure all nine points during the group stage, might have to go through both host countries to reach the final.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

As Egypt reels from the tragic deaths in Port Said, national team coach Bob Bradley is taking a role in the rebuilding.

The former U.S. manager joined in a non-violent protest march on Thursday as public anger against the interior ministry grows.

A picture speaks a thousand words. This photo, circulating Thursday afternoon of former U.S. National Team coach Bob Bradley who is now in charge of the Egyptian National side, proves that point. The new Egyptian National Team coach was so moved by yesterday's tragedy in Egypt where 74 people were killed and a thousand were [.

By FRANCO PANIZO

U.S. prospect Alfredo Morales has not seen the field for Hertha Berlin since October, but that will not stop him from making his first-ever start in the Bundesliga this coming weekend.

Morales is slated to start at right back in place of the suspended Christian Lell when Hertha faces Hannover 96, according to head coach Michael Skibbe.

By FRANCO PANIZO

A day after a riot at a club soccer game in Egypt left at least 74 dead and many others injured, Egypt's prime minister has dissolved the Egyptian FA's board.

Kamal el-Ganzouri announced the decision to dissolve the board during Thursday's emergency parliamentary session, and also said that the governor of Port Said (where the game took place) and the area's police chief have resigned.

By Jason Davis - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 19, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Kris Boyd, born August 18th, 1983 in Irvine, Scotland, late of Eskişehirspor of the Turkish Süper Lig, formerly of Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough FC, and - most famously - Glasgow Rangers, current record-holder for most goals scored in the Scottish Premier League and a name well known in international soccer circles, is Major League Soccer's newest Designated Player.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

FIFA is considering a number of rule changes that could have a major impact on the international game going forward.

The major proposal that FIFA's board is facing would allow teams to use a fourth substitute in extra time in an attempt to cut down on player injuries.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

Sudan entered Monday's African Cup of Nations group finale needing a minor miracle to get through to the next round, trailing Angola by three points for second place in Group B while needing to make up a goal differential of -3 as well.

In the end, Sudan got its way.

Former New England Revolution star Clint Dempsey could be changing teams before England's January transfer window comes to a close at 6PM ET on Tuesday. The current Fulham FC midfielder has been lighting it up in the Barclays Premier League with 15 goals through all competitions and could see a dream move to one of the top clubs in the league before Tuesday's deadline.

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All American eyes Friday are on Goodison Park, where Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey do battle in Everton and Fulham's FA Cup match, but there's another game in Europe that is of importance to Americans abroad as well.

Timmy Chandler's FC Nurnberg and Steve Cherundolo's Hannover 96 are slated to go up against one another in a Bundesliga match that should be featuring the present and future of U.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Mexico seemed ready to settle for a draw with Venezuela, but two late goals coming in a span of a minute lifted El Tri to a 3-1 victory over the South Americans.

Fielding a squad largely comprised of players competing for a spot on the Olympic qualifying team, the Mexicans won on Wednesday night courtesy of goals from Rafael Marquez Lugo and Oribe Peralta in the 88th and 89th minutes, respectively.

By FRANCO PANIZO

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations got underway this past weekend, and co-hosts Equatorial Guinea opened the tournament in dramatic fashion.

Former Real Madrid player Javier Balboa scored three minutes before the death to give Equatorial Guinea a 1-0 win over Libya.

Published monthly, the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of national teams gives football fans across the world much to talk about, not to mention numerous statistics that sports betting outfits use to create odds. No one can deny it! It's exciting to see your country climb up a few spots and even more exciting to see your [.

If not for one thrilling 97th minute goal, the USA v. Venezuela friendly would have been forgettable at best. A team that had looked aimless most of the night was matched against players with a very defensive mindset, and thus little progress was made on either end of the pitch. Once the US began finding [.

Two weeks ago Clint Dempsey made headlines with his first career hat trick, hitting the back of the net three times in Fulham FC's 4-0 FA Cup Third Round win over Football League One (English second division) side Charlton Athletic.

Now, just a day after being named 2011 U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year, Dempsey is in the news again, with another three goal performance.

Prior to Bob Bradley being appointed as its head coach, Egypt failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. The Pharoahs' failure is the rest of Africa's success, as for the first time in six years a new champion will be crowned.

The 28th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is set to get underway on Saturday, with 16 teams competing in the host nations of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Playing for the Carolina RailHawks in 2011, Etienne Barbara had what many would consider a dream season. Playing in NASL 1st season he set records in the league while racking up 20 goals and 9 assists. He was named to the NASL Starting 11. He was also named the leagues Most Valuable Player and the [.

New York-area soccer fans are in for a summer treat.

Brazil and Argentina will square off in a June 9 friendly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., pitting the two South American rivals and some of the top players in the world against each other. The date falls on a FIFA international fixture date, meaning that first-choice players like Lionel Messi and Neymar should be available for selection, though that is far from being a certainty at this point.

The annual FIFA gala was held in Zurich, Switzerland today, where the stars of the beautiful game both past and present converged to celebrate a great year in soccer. Various individual award were presented and no one will be shocked with the results. The most hyped award, the FIFA Ballon d'Or for best male player, [.

Alright... I'm not saying Kyle Martino doesn't deserve a charmed life, but c'mon!Dude played pro and international soccer, married Eva Amurri and had killed national broadcasts like a pro by the time he'll turn 31 next month. Fine. Great. I'm happy for the guy.But now, NOW, he's gotten to be a judge on Cupcake Wars.

The Legend of Clint Dempsey continues to grow at Craven Cottage.

Just over a month removed from eclipsing Brian McBride's record 36 career goals scored by an American in the English Premier League, the former Revolution midfielder pulled the trigger three times in a 4-0 FA Cup tournament victory over Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Clearing up a few odds and ends before the weekend (that would have posted hours sooner had our soon-to-be-replaced blogging software not freaked out): *Galaxy midfielder Michael Stephens, Chivas USA's Jorge Villafaña (formerly Flores) and UCLA midfielder Kelyn Rowe were named today to the U-23 camp set for Sunday through

In what was probably the absolute worst turn of events for 23 year old LA Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez, the MLS Defender of the Year tore his left ACL in his very first training on loan at German outfit FC Nürnberg. After much waiting and anticipation by United States National Team supporters, Gonzalez finally received [.

It's official: Thierry Henry is going back to Arsenal.

The New York Red Bulls forward and his former Premier League club put the final touches on a short-term loan that has Arsenal's all-time leading goal scorer returning to the Emirates through the end of February.

Henry will be eligible for the club's FA Cup match against Leeds United on Monday.

When even the Revolution are teasing swatches and releasing well-received jersey designs, it's obvious that MLS kits are seeing good days. Sales are up, sponsors are taking real estate away from awkward team names, badges are common, third kits are garish and beautiful, and little embellishments are actually adding soul to a league identity once formed from scratch by an apparel company's marketing division.

Borussia Dortmund has one of the world's up-and-coming stars in its grasp, and the defending Bundesliga champions aren't planning on letting him go.

Dortmund plans to keep 19-year-old playmaker Mario Goetze for at least another season despite major transfer interest, the club's sporting director said to German media.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

After flirting with Arsenal and Chelsea during the summer transfer window, Gary Cahill will likely be heading to Chelsea in January after a transfer fee was agreed upon with Bolton Wanderers.

The central defender has become an England national team regular and will look to stabilize a defense that will lose Alex in January and could be without John Terry for an extended period following a criminal racism charge.

As most of the regular readers know that read this site, I am a pretty big international soccer/USMNT fan. Other than posting the odd lineup here or there for a friendly in the past few months, I haven't had a real USMNT piece up in a while. The holiday break doesn't exactly make for a news-making period.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

FIFA has been ordered to release documents pertaining to its involvement with former marketing partner ISL by the Swiss supreme court.

The documents contain information about several FIFA members who took millions of dollars in kickbacks from ISL during the negotiation of television broadcast deals for the World Cup, with former FIFA president Joao Havelange and 2014 World Cup organizer Ricardo Teixeira at the forefront of the scandal.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

Depending on whom you believe, David Beckham is either set to make a dent on the Paris-St. Germain payroll or is still very much a free agent.

Despite front-page reports in France that Beckham has signed an 18-month deal with PSG, people in his camp have strongly denied that a deal has been completed.

The talks between AC Milan and Manchester City over Carlos Tevez seem to have hit a standstill.

Manchester City is maintaining its firm stance that it will not loan Tevez anywhere this winter and is instead only seeking a permanent transfer for the wantaway Argentine striker.

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The aim of the award-winning international soccer blog Pitch Invasion has been to publish thoughtful, long-form writing that digs well below the headlines, and explores the culture of sport, the engagement of fans with the spectacle of world soccer and the game's forgotten history.