Martin Jol is set to end his month-long pursuit of a striker as the Fulham boss is on the verge of unveiling Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak from the German Bundesliga's VfB Stuttgart.

The 28-year old Pogrebnyak has been capped 30 times by his country, scoring eight goals on the international stage while also scoring 15 times in 64 league appearances for Stuttgart.

Once again there will be certain names talked about at this year's European Championships, with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and the other usual suspects likely to be grabbing the headlines.
However there are some lesser known players who be looking to impress on the big stage and really announce their presence on the international stage.

It's common knowledge that AVB wants Gary Cahill and late last night The Mirror broke an "Exclusive" stating that a fee of £7m that has been touted about HAS been agreed between Bolton and Chelsea and it's now in the hands of the players agent and Chelsea's Ron Gourlay to thrash out personal terms.

File Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

In Thursday's press conference, Peter Nowak reiterated a theme that he has stressed since the end of the season: he is looking to create competition among positions within the squad. "The more guys we have in [camp] being involved with the team and the team-mentality is better and will help us to have better results.

szólj hozzá: Villarreal 0-2 Napoli

City managed to rain on Bayern's parade by beating them 2-0 but it was not enough as Napoli turned on the screws against Villareal to run out 2-0 victors. Bayern and Napoli go through to the Champions League knock out stage.

It's no idle conjecture imagining Napoli going far into the CL maybe even to the finals.

The Seattle Sounders' search for Kasey Keller's successor has been completed.

Seattle announced the long-rumored signing of Austrian goalkeeper Michael Gspurning on Wednesday, ushering in a new era between the posts at CenturyLink Field.

"First off, you don't replace Kasey Keller.

We have qualified top of the group. Well done, lads.

Is this a reason to play a B team tonight? You bet it is.

Olympiakos would like to win this fixture and thus have the chance to progress, Marseilles would like us to win and allow them to go into the knockout rounds.

We have qualified top of the group. Well done, lads.

Is this a reason to play a B team tonight? You bet it is.

Olympiakos would like to win this fixture and thus have the chance to progress, Marseilles would like us to win and allow them to go into the knockout rounds.

THFC1882 present another guest blog. It's Rob again with his preview of Monday nights return to action

Monday 21st November 2011, White Hart Lane. 8pm Kick off Live on Sky Sports 1HD & 1

Another International break is over and we can get back to the important domestic business once again.

1. 1-0 to the Eng-ger-land. Who said the defensive approach was just for the Spain game? Jack Rodwell, Gareth Barry and Phil Jones in midfield. Now if we could just replace Theo Walcott and Stewart Downing with Scott Parker and Lee Cattermole to add a bit more stability. 2. Hopefully the goal will be given [.

Big night for U.S. soccer and the men's national team won in Europe for the first time in 3 1/2 years, beating Slovenia 3-2. Yes that is not a misprint. The U.Sc. scored three goals tonight, more than doubling the number of goals that they had scored in the previous six games under Jurgen Klinsmann.

In further efforts to kill time before the MLS Final this Sunday, I'll now be doing a general round up of stuff going on with the league, and with American soccer as a whole. There's actually been a fair amount of stuff going on.

US FRIENDLIES: In the past week, the US met with France and Slovenia, coming out of the two matches with a win and a loss.

Ahead of tomorrow's friendly, OTP looks at some of the most memorable events in previous England v Spain meetings. 1. Stuart Pearce's penalty (Euro 96) Spain found themselves on the receiving end as Pyscho buried the ghost of his Italia 90 penalty miss. In the process he performed one of the most iconic sporting celebrations [.

England host Spain at Wembley in a mouthwatering friendly match designed to see exactly where Fabio Capello's men stand on the International stage. An acid test, or quite simply a glorified friendly fixture? Some say the former whilst others stress the latter. Neither in agreement nor in disagreement, the English media have themselves been keen [.

ESPNsoccernet is reporting that Brazilian stat Neymar has agreed to join Real Madrid next summer from Santos for around £53m.

At 19, Neymar is one of the brightest talents in world football having shone for his club Santos and also on the international stage for Brazil. Yesterday he was included on the shortlist for the World Footballer Of The Year.

I don't think anyone can argue that Wayne Rooney acted foolishly when he was sent off for England against Montenegro.
But eyebrows were certainly raised when he was given a three-game ban, ruling him out of the first three live football games of Euro 2012 – the entire group stage.

With England's ticket to the 2012 European Championships now booked, Fabio Capello's thoughts will be away from the colder temperature and focused on his 23 man squad selection for the tournament next summer.

The question of who to take, and who to leave out, always excites a media frenzy, with the age-old debates of club form, age, and experience brought out to trump up heroes or tear down villains.

Jamie Carragher has all the hallmarks required to be a future Liverpool manager, according to Tommy Smith.
The Reds vice-captain has made no secret of his desire to enter coaching once he hangs up his boots and has already begun a program to earn his UEFA B licence.
And while Carragher still has many more games to play before his playing career draws to close, Smith believes the 33-year-old has what it takes to be a success in the dugout.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

Los Angeles Galaxy centerback Omar Gonzalez hasn't gotten a whiff of the U.S. national team since Jurgen Klinsmann became head coach, and as a result, it appears that he's keeping his options open when it comes to international soccer.

Rafa Benitez was probably stealing the job of a deserving Englishman, and that's bad. But Joe Cole might be stealing the job of a Frenchman now, so that kind of balances it all out. Maybe. Mostly I'm just confused. In any case, I think this is the Wednesday news and notes. Probably...

* Jamie Carragher went on TalkSport today to have a little chat with the regrettable duo of Andy Gray and Richard Keys.

When Joe Roth announced the Seattle Sounders Football Club he said that he wanted to compete on the international stage. In just two short years they showed up on that stage, and were crushed. Now, in just their third year the advance to the CONCACAF Champions League Championship Round after a 2-2 draw against CSD Comunicaciones of Guatemala.

Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com

U.S. international goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann is reportedly returning to the Premier League, where he'll play a familiar role.

According to Sky Sports, Hahenmann is set to join Everton on a deal that lasts until January. A free agent since the end of last season, Hahnemann will back up Tim Howard, something he's done on the international stage plenty of times.

Stewart Downing believes his England career is already seeing the benefit of his summer move to Liverpool FC.
Downing has been in impressive form during the opening weeks of the season following his near-£20m arrival from Aston Villa during the transfer window.
The 27-year-old last week revealed a determination to make a greater mark on the international stage after admitting his time with England had previously felt peripheral.

Friday night's game for the United States men's national team provides a perfect test for Jurgen Klinsmann to see what several US players who typically don't get much playing time can do against a strong Costa Rica side (11pm ET, ESPN2).

The game, which will be played at Home Depot Center, will give Klinsmann a chance to see what players can do on the international stage such as Jeff Larentowicz, Chris Pontius and Tommy Chandler.

United's young guns have certainly impressed England boss Fabio Capello who has called up Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling into the senior squad for their Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria (bonus link: video interview with Cleverley and Jones).

They join team mates Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young, who will be keen to carry on their goal scoring exploits on the international stage in tomorrow night's game (7.

Tomorrow night Colorado plays its first meaningful international match since facing Leon in the preliminary round of the old CONCACAF Champions Cup in 1998. The first opponent is El Salvador's Isidro Metapan, who qualified for the Champions League by winning the El Salvadorian 2010 Apertura. Kickoff at the Dick tomorrow is an unusual 8pm for TV, which means the kegs will be breached at 5:30 and the grills fired up at 6 for the tailgate.

Arsenal have agreed terms with Deportivo Saprissa, to sign Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell.

The deal for the 19-year old, is reported to be worth around £930,000, but will rise to around £1m, if bonuses are met.

Arsene Wenger has already praised the teenager, stating that Campbell is a very talented youngster.

Under pressure coach Mano Menezes says: Yes, they're my bags

Brazil's poor form on the international stage has prompted the Brazilian Football Confederation to arrange some 'winnable' games for the Seleção.

First up will be Egypt in Cairo on September 6th. Brazil then take on Argentina on the 14th and 18th of September (only players based in Brazil will be called up for these games).

By AVI CREDITOR

PHILADELPHIA -- With the bevy of European-club-based central midfielders vying for starting roles with the United States men's national team, it's easy to overlook Real Salt Lake's workhorse, Kyle Beckerman.

Sure, he's a perennial standout in Major League Soccer, but he rarely gets the opportunity to shine with a first-team squad on the international stage.

By AVI CREDITOR

PHILADELPHIA -- What a difference 10 months have made for Brek Shea.

Last October, Shea appeared unsure, uncomfortable and out of place in his debut for the U.S. men's national team, which came just miles down the road at PPL Park against Colombia.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned Fabio Capello that Jack Wilshere will not be allowed to play in England's friendly against Holland on Wednesday.

The squad inclusion of the midfielder already the subject of a club-versus-country row at Under 21 level this summer came despite him missing the Gunners' pre-season defeat to Benfica on Saturday night with an ankle problem.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned Fabio Capello that Jack Wilshere will not be allowed to play in England's friendly against Holland on Wednesday.

The squad inclusion of the midfielder already the subject of a club-versus-country row at Under 21 level this summer came despite him missing the Gunners' pre-season defeat to Benfica on Saturday night with an ankle problem.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned Fabio Capello that Jack Wilshere will not be allowed to play in England's friendly against Holland on Wednesday.

The squad inclusion of the midfielder already the subject of a club-versus-country row at Under 21 level this summer came despite him missing the Gunners' pre-season defeat to Benfica on Saturday night with an ankle problem.

The next Cescs? Five fab Barca youngsters set to make a mark in the Prem

If the old football saying rings true, then England may well have invented it, Brazil arguably perfected it, but Spain are dominating it. The one-time perennial under achievers of the international stage now boast the World Cup and the European Championships at senior, Under-21 and Under-19 level, as well as being on course to lift the ongoing Under-20 World Cup, currently being played in Colombia.

Wesley Sneijder is the name on the lips of many a Man Utd fan. Rumours about an upcoming Red Devil bid for the Dutch maestro have been swirling all summer, reaching a peak this week when Sniejder refused to rule out a transfer to the rainy north-west.
One stumbling block to a move appears to be salary, with the Dutchman currently on £250,000 per week, which does not fit into Man Utd's non-Rooney wage structure.

Wesley Sneijder is the name on the lips of many a Man Utd fan. Rumours about an upcoming Red Devil bid for the Dutch maestro have been swirling all summer, reaching a peak this week when Sniejder refused to rule out a transfer to the rainy north-west.
One stumbling block to a move appears to be salary, with the Dutchman currently on £250,000 per week, which does not fit into Man Utd's non-Rooney wage structure.

Photo by Jose M. Romero

By JOSE M. ROMERO

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Edgar Castillo has kept up with the latest goings on for the U.S. men's national team, and he's ready for another chance to represent his country of birth. He just needs the opportunity to arise.

Most fans of professional women's soccer already know that today kicks off one of the biggest events in the game on the international stage. For those that have not heard that the Women's World Cup starts today, June 26th. And ESPN has it covered – literally.

Every game of the 2011 Women's World Cup takes place in Germany and every game will be broadcast live on either ESPN or ESPN2.

About 200,000 words have been written (that's just at the SB Nation coverage) on Saturday night's Gold Cup Final between the two rivals. For Mexico this one is about firmly declaring a return to their superiority of not just talent but continuing in their results (8 1st place finishes in 20 tournaments, 13 in top 3 total).

Blackpool scouts will be in Dundalk this evening to watch Ireland u21 international Daniel Kearns in the Airtricity Premier Division clash between Dundalk & Galway United.
Belfast born Kearns has emerged as a Seasiders target and are considering making a bid for the 19-year-old winger who has caught the eye of Ian Holloway after a string of quality performances for Dundalk.