Colorado faced Chivas USA in a scrimmage at the HDC today. A late Qunicy Amarikwa goal from a Steven Emory assist gave the burgundy boys a 1-0 win. Of course its preseason so its meaningless but wins are always better than losses. The starting XI (trialists makred with a *):
Angulo* - Cummings - MullanLarentowicz - Castrillon - MastroeniZapata* - Marshall - Wynne - KimuraPickens
After subs the team finished with the the following lineup:
Cascio - Amarikwa - AkpanThompson - LaBauex - EmoryFreeman - Palguta - Guido* - AbabioJoyce
Guido is a local player playing with the team while they're in California.

The Rapids played their first friendly of the preseason today against the Ventura County Fusion at Oxnard College in California. The game was a scoreless draw and with no coverage its hard to draw much of anything from the result, but here are the starting lineups for each half (* denotes trialist):
1st Half:
Cascio - Amarikwa - AkpanThompson - Nane - LaBauexFreeman - Marshall - Palguta - Zapata*Ceus
2nd Half:
Angulo* - Archer* - ArmstrongThompson - Nane - Guido*Huazo* - Marshall - Palguta - AbabioJoyce
Obviously this was a game for some of the reserves to try to make their mark in competing for a starting spot.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes says that his side cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to successfully defend their La Liga title this season.

Barca were held to a 0-0 draw against Villarreal on Saturday, a result that now leaves them seven points behind league leaders Real Madrid, who recorded a 3-1 win over Real Zaragoza at the weekend.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Despite both sides having punched their tickets to the 2012 London Olympics, bragging rights and a No. 1 seed were on the line when the United States Women clashed with Canada last night.

Thanks to the continued brilliance of Abby Wambach and young gun Alex Morgan, the United States trotted out a 4-0 victory to cap off what has largely been a pedestrian Olympic Qualifying.

Having already qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics by winning Friday's game versus Costa Rica, the USWNT's win over Canada in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament was the icing on the cake. The Canadian side came into tonight's match with a lot of confidence, but when it came time to perform, fell quite short.

Hierzulande ist nicht mehr viel von Pierre Littbarski, dem Weltmeister-Dribbler von 1990, zu hören. Mal ein wenig Co-Trainer hier, mal ein paar Gespräche dort, das wars dann aber. Seine gute und erfolgreiche Zeit hatte er einfach direkt auf dem Platz und verrehrt wurde er damals auch von allen. Der kleine Litte mit den krummen Beinen, [.

Kashima Antlers (Japanese: 鹿島アントラーズ ) is a professional soccer team currently playing in the Japanese J. League Division 1 (J1) and amongst Japan's best-supported sides. Since the J-League's creation in...

Melbourne Victory announced today that they've secured 26 year old defender, Mark Milligan on a short-term loan deal from Japan's JEF United, until the end of the regular season. Milligan, who has previously represented Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets in the A-League says he is looking forward to playing in his home country once again: "The Japanese season

For today's profile, we welcome back Michael Hudson, a long standing friend of the blog and the mastermind behind The Accidental Groundhopper website. Here, Michael, who can be followed on Twitter at @DolphinHotel, turns his attention to a player on the brink of signing for Southampton, drawing as he does on his immense experience following the game in Asia.

Urawa Red Diamonds (浦和レッドダイヤモンズ ) is a professional soccer club playing in Japan's J. League Division 1 (J1). The side is one of Japan's best supported teams and often boasts...

Shunsuke Nakamura's still got it.

Oh yes he does. Though he's fallen off of our radar a bit since moving to the J.League and playing for the Yokohama F. Marinos, Shunsuke Nakamura couldn't help but show us that he still is one of the best freekick takers in the game. Of course, the circumstances were a little strange, but the class is undeniable.

Fifa's World Rankings for January 2012 were published yesterday at FIFA HQ in Zurich, Switzerland.
2010 World Cup winners Spain remain on top followed by the Netherlands, Germany and Copa America champs Uruguay. England are in 5th.
Ranking Team
1 Spain
2 Netherlands
3 Germany
4 Uruguay
5 England
6 Brazil
7 Portugal
8 Croatia
9 Italy
10 Argentina
11 Denmark
12 Chile
13 Russia
14 Greece
15 France
16 Switzerland
17 Sweden
18 Côte d'Ivoire
19 Bosnia-Herzegovina
19 Japan
Full world rankings
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This video is technically Shunsuke Nakamura belting a free kick onto a moving bus, but it really qualifies as a pleading attempt for a free kick trick series between the likes of Nakamura, Juninho, Darijo Srna, et cetera et cetera, just like those old McDonald's trick shot commercials between Michael Jordan and Larry Bird.

Amongst Japan's best supported teams, Júbilo Iwata (ジュビロ磐田) is a professional soccer team currently playing in the J. League Division 1 (J1). The "Júbilo" component of the team name means...

Kit launches out of Japan continue ahead of the J. League's March kick-off. One of the latest was the highly-anticipated unveiling of the Sanfrecce Hiroshima (サンフレッチェ広島) Nike 2012 home, away...

O Grande Jogo (The Big Game)

Os grandes jogos / The big games
1958 - Suécia [sweden]
1962 - Chile
1970 - México
1994 - Estados Unidos [United States]
2002 - Japão/Coreia do Sul [Japan/South Korea]

We all know that Brazilians are proud to have won the World Cup five times.

Japan's Homare Sawa & Argentina's Lionel Messi pictured with FIFA 2011 Ballon d'Or Awards ZURICH Lionel Messi was awarded FIFA men's player of the year for the third time in... Read more »

The Japan 2012/13 home, away and third goalkeeper uniforms were unveiled as part of Monday's launch of the Japan adidas 12/13 men's and women's national soccer teams' home kits. The new kits to be worn by Blue Samurai first choice goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima and current backups Shusaku Nishikawa and Kaito Yamamoto all the same brand [.

Albirex Niigata (アルビレックス新潟?) is a Japanese J. League soccer team currently campaigning in the top-tier of Japanese soccer – the J.League Division 1. Nicknamed the Albi, Niigata finished the 2011 J. League season in 14th position. Given the early calendar year start to the 2012 J. League season in February, adidas Japan has launched the [.

On this week's main listening report we look back at some of the big stories from the football world in 2011. Part one will feature January to June while part two will focus on July to December.

27.12.2011 - Terminando el año y después de "Los personajes del año" y "Momentos (poco olvidables) del 2011", recopilamos unas decenas de notas que compartimos a lo largo del período, ni mejores ni peores, pero que pueden ser dignas de volver a leerse.
NUEVA CAMISETA RUSA (2011-12) PRESENTADA DESDE EL ESPACIO.

FIFA's Club World Cup is again taking football down the wrong alley. FIFA is looking at the financial gains in organizing this competition instead of prioritizing the 3 key points that matter most:

• Stay close to the fans of the competing clubs
• Bring back the passion of a 2 leg competition in the home stadiums of the 2 finalists
• Limit this to a European vs South American champion final (until other continents reach the same level of football excellence)

Instead of that, the current edition is played in the neutral grounds of Japan or UAE for so-called football promotion efforts and some degree of sponsorship pressure (thanks Toyota.

Yu Darvish is the most sought after pitcher on the free agent market this offseason. The native of Japan hasn't pitched in the MLB but he already has front offices drooling. After posting a $51.7 million bid, the Texas Rangers now have a chance to sign him.

If Yu Darvish signs, his team in Japan the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters will get $51.

I have finally just confirmed that the reported interest from Stuttgart for Timmy Chandler is real, as was a recent report about Wolfsburg's crush. However, the impression I get is that the former are more eager to land him... but also less likely to do so this winter. I found this all out when hearing about a New York-born Japan youth international left back wanted by the Schwabians (who clearly

FC BARCELONA proclaimed themselves the 2011 "FIFA Club World Cup Champion" after defeating Brazilian Club SANTOS 0 - 4. Its the second title of this character for Barça which won their last back in 2009 in Qatar. Lionel Messi FC Barcelona demonstrated - if there was any doubt - that the Club is currently the "Best in the World", & their midfielder LIONEL MESSI once again raised for the

As the winter nights draw in and the year comes to a close, Game Intelligence looks back with misty eyes on the key events from the football calendar... 1. Japan win (women's) World Cup If you don't think that winning ... Continue reading →

FC BARCELONA defeated AL_SAAD 0 - 4 in the semi final of the "FIFA World Clubs Championship" in Japan & will meet Bralizian Club SANTOS in the weekend final. Barça was never really troubled the whole match & one gets the idea that their opponents, although professional & putting in a very good game, had the joy of playing with their Football Heroes.

FC BARCELONA defeated AL_SAAD 0 - 4 in the semi final of the "FIFA World Clubs Championship" in Japan & will meet Bralizian Club SANTOS in the weekend final. Barça was never really troubled the whole match & one gets the idea that their opponents, although professional & putting in a very good game, had the joy of playing with their Football Heroes.

By Chris Wright

As we speak, Santos are over in Japan playing Kashiwa Reysol in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup and Neymar has just done this...

I think I'm right in saying that Santos are 2-0 up at half-time as things currently stand, with Borges getting the other for the Brazilians.

Arsene Wenger is considering taking Arsenal on a tour Nigeria next summer, it has been claimed this morning. Nigerian TV pundit Colin Udoh has used his Twitter account to break the enws that an Arsenal delegation will meet senior figure from the Nigerian Football Federation to discuss the possibility of the Gunners making the trip to Africa at the end of the season.

Arsene Wenger is considering taking Arsenal on a tour Nigeria next summer, it has been claimed this morning. Nigerian TV pundit Colin Udoh has used his Twitter account to break the enws that an Arsenal delegation will meet senior figure from the Nigerian Football Federation to discuss the possibility of the Gunners making the trip to Africa at the end of the season.

With the "Clasico" dust finally settled in Madrid, after the FC BARCELONA "hurricane" brushed pass on their way to Japan defeating REAL MADRID 1 - 3 on their home turf, I can now sit down & reflect on certain observations - some already said below in the match post - that I would like to reinforce, add to & of course, add some humour.

On this week's podcast we preview the FIFA Club World Cup taking place in Japan

Reigning Copa Libertadores champions Santos FC are currently in Japan preparing for the semi-final round of the FIFA World Club Cup 2011. The eight time Campeonato Brasileiro Série A winners will play their first match of the tournament against the winner of the Espernace ST / Al-Sadd quarter-final.

The FIFA World Club Cup Japan 2011 kicks off on Thursday with Japanese J. League Division 1 champions Kashiwa Reysol meeting 2011 OFC Champions League winners Auckland City FC. Next week UEFA Champions League winners FC Barcelona and Copa Libertadores trophy holders Santos FC enter the competition at the semi-final stage.

CONCACAF champions Monterrey landed in Japan this morning in advance of their match against the winner of Japanese champions Kashiwa Reysol and Oceania champions Auckland City. Monterrey have the slightly easier path to the finals as they would face South American champions Santos in the semifinal instead of Barcelona, but of course they would have to get past the survivor of the preliminary round first.

The final three men shortlist for FIFA Balon D'OR 2011 has been announced. The final list is no surprise to anyone following serious footballing action - Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez. Actually everyone know who is going to win - Lionel Messi. But still you need a three man shortlist.

FC Barcelona won their final La Liga match on Tuesday night before flying out to Japan for the FIFA Club World Cup.

Goals from Alexis Sanchez (2), David Villa and Lionel Messi gave the Spanish and European champions a comfortable 4-0 victory at home to Rayo Vallecano. The win meant that Barcelona reduced the gap between themselves and league leaders Real Madrid to three points but the capital side do have the advantage of a game in hand.

SPANISH FOOTBALL action tonight as the scheduled match between FC BARCELONA & RAYO VALLECANO on LA LIGA calender was brought forward to give Barça the time to prepare & travel to Japan next month for the FIFA World Clubs Championships. The final result was a smashing 4 - 0 victory by FC Barcelona over the visitors Rayo Vallecano who paid the "price" against a doubted & questioned Barça.

This is a great story from "Mundo Deportivo". Young 11 year old TAKEFUSA KUBA, alias "TAKE" to his young mates, has a dream, to become the first Japanese player in the history of FC BARCELONA. Young TAKE is actually a "crack star" with the Barça "Alevin C" (junior) Team. Before signing with Barça the youngster had European Clubs already knocking on his door.