by Steve Candy
A World Cup year doesn't really need any extra assistance in placing football at the forefront of the public consciousness but, my word, hasn't the start of 2010 been particularly breath-taking on and off the pitch.
The African Cup of Nations delivered for fans of the game, particularly in the latter stages. Click to continue reading...

A few days ago we unveiled Chad Ashton as United's new Technical Director. Many fans are familiar with the Technical Director role, but few understand the intricacies of the job. We sat down with Chad to get a stronger understanding of his duties, and to talk about the upcoming season. Chad touches upon the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, youth development in the United States, and his own playing career.

Click to continue reading...

In a series podcasts to be released throughout the week, the Major League Soccer Talk podcast (subscribe) will be talking to three legal/business experts, getting perspectives on collective bargaining in Major League Soccer and the United States' sports landscape.

In the first podcast (to be released Tuesday or Wednesday), we will talk about the mechanics of collective bargaining, introducing everybody to the intricacies of the process (i.

Click to continue reading...

Zambia celebrate a famous win over Gabon (AFP)
Cameroon 2-2 Tunisia
Zambia 2-1 Gabon
Got your thinking cap on? Good. You're going to need it to work out the intricacies of Group D, which ended up about as complicated as a Matrix sequel, but far more entertaining. We'll start off with the basics. Click to continue reading...

I am Becks. You know this. Welcome to my blog, again. I write it for myself (I call it a blogoire because it sounds European and intelligent), as it allows me to chart my glorious return through the tales of European football before I journey to South Africa for the World Cup under St George's cross.

Click to continue reading...

While I'm on a linking spree let me add this one too.

United Rant has a very good break down of the debt situation this is in light of our mooted interest in exchanging our "debt for bonds". Those who don't want to break their head to understand the financial intricacies, can read Ed's piece which tries to explain it to a lay person.

Click to continue reading...

Carlos Vela has just signed a new six-year contract. There's an indication of Arsene's faith in his talents if ever you wanted one. The Mexican putting pen on paper takes the number of contract extensions signed this year to eleven. Apart from Vela, senior players like RvP, Eduardo, Song, Walcott, Fabianski, Bendtner and Denilson have agreed fresh terms.

Click to continue reading...

In case you weren't already aware, the draw for the 2010 World Cup finals took place in Cape Town a matter of hours ago. Here are the groups it conjured up:
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
My only real reaction now is commiserations to Côte d'Ivoire, Africa's finest handed a desperately tough draw for the second World Cup running. Click to continue reading...

Kosin Hathairatnakul has a history in Indonesia after his spell with Persib a few years back. Now he is back of course and this time he has a mate with him, fellow Thai international Suchao Nuchnam, to translate for.
As if it ain't guiding Suchao through the intricacies of life in Bandung he has even more burdens to bear. Click to continue reading...

For whatever the reason, the term "friendly" can be lumped together with diving (i.e. David Ngog) and the quantum physics intricacies of the offside rule as primary reasons why mainstream media types prefer to mock soccer, as opposed to caring about it. What exactly is a "friendly" anyway? Why not call it an exhibition? Click to continue reading...

He may not yet know the intricacies of their card school, but Alberto Aquilani has already shown he can potentially be Liverpool's ace in the pack on the pitch.
The long wait was ended on Wednesday night when the £20m signing from Roma made a first competitive appearance for his new club at the Emirates. Click to continue reading...

Premiership Talk has released Episode 21 of the Premiership Talk Podcast. With Chelsea and Liverpool both losing this week there is plenty to talk about, and co-hosts Brian Lofrumento, Taylor Fisher, and Zain Alvi delve into the intricacies of this year's Premier League table.

Tottenham, Sunderland, Everton, Aston Villa, and Manchester City are all flying high, so listen to everyone's thoughts on how long they will last and who will push the big four to the final whistle.

Click to continue reading...

First off, this isn't hockey so if anybody tells you to watch where the ball is going, ignore them. Televised soccer is different from live soccer for a very obvious reason, namely, that someone else is choosing what you're seeing. The cameras are usually only interested in the ball, so you'll be following the ball and whatever the camera operators happen to catch. Click to continue reading...

Florida State Soccer To Host Coaches Clinic
Tony DiCicco headlines the Inaugural Coaches Clinic hosted by Florida State.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Would you like to learn from some of the nation's elite soccer coaches from the professional, college and high school levels? Click to continue reading...

In which our Landon discusses with America a few intricacies of our obsession. Click to continue reading...

Check this out:

Let's face it. If there was a Man of the Match or Hero of the Game last night, one would only have to look towards section 101 to find the recipients. The Empire Supporters Club gave MLS, Don Garber, David Beckham and the entire soccer landscape a clear message; the love affair is over.

Click to continue reading...

Controversy is brewing at the otherwise rather tepid affair that is the Confederations Cup.

With the Brazil-Egypt clash locked at 3-3 going into the 90th minute, an Egyptian defender cleared a goal-bound header off the line with his arm. As the defender in question writhed around holding his head - in an attempt to disguise his misdemeanour - English referee Howard Webb signalled for a corner.

Click to continue reading...