Despite Conor Casey's franchise record of 16 goals in a season, an incredibly productive year for Omar Cummings (eight goals, 12 assists), and a full complement of attacking defenders who didn't send the ball into the stands every other play, the Colorado Rapids limped through the final games with insufficient ammunition when the stakes were highest. Click to continue reading...

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber appears ready for a work stoppage, should talks with the players' union not lead to a new deal by the Jan. 31 deadline. Speaking on a conference call with reporters Nov. 16 as part of his annual State of the League address, Garber said the league was not willing to yield on any of the principles that it felt had driven its growth the past 14 years.

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Nick Rimando saved three Chicago Fire penalty kicks to help Real Salt Lake win the Eastern Conference on a shootout after 120 minutes of soccer yielded no goals for either team. The victory puts RSL in its first-ever MLS Cup game where they will face the LA Galaxy, victors of a dramatic conference final of their own Friday, and completes a stunning late-season turnaround for the Salt Lake City side.

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Perhaps it was only fitting that on Friday the 13th, there would be not one, but two power outages at the Home Depot Center. Eighteen minutes into the Western Conference Final match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo, the lights on the upper deck at the Home Depot Center went out, causing a stoppage in play that would last about 18 minutes. Click to continue reading...

Yes, that is a serious question. Two players who 'offer more than just goals' as strikers. But how much more? Who would you rather have? Fortunately a member of the Football365 Forum (lol tb x) has done the analysis for us. Read on to see who comes out on top...

A comparison of their goals and assists since Tevez came here:

This is obviously an area where Tevez should win by a margin having played with some of the best players in the world.

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While newly-minted MLS coach of the year Bruce Arena has assembled an LA Galaxy team largely from scratch (outside of its two superstars of course) the squad they host in the Western Conference final tomorrow night counts on a core of players that has played together for years. "You kind of know when you need to step it up and raise your game," said Brian Ching said. Click to continue reading...

I think these are our most covered topics. We've discussed it here, here, and here, and provided material for Patrick Barclay. If you read those articles (which I don't suspect for a second you will) you'll see our position is abundantly clear. There were two incidents this weekend that fulled the debate one in the United/Chelsea game, and one in the Liverpool/Birmingham game.

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After Real Salt Lake's stunning upset of Supporters' Shield winner and defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew Thursday, the favorites prevailed in all other playoff matchups over the weekend. It took overtime before Brian Ching's inspired effort broke a scoreless deadlock and put the Houston Dynamo past the pesky Seattle Sounders in Sunday's first game.

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A nifty second half goal by Cuauhtemoc Blanco gave the Chicago Fire the goal it needed to advance past the New England Revolution in a hard fought Eastern Conference semifinal at Toyota Park Saturday. With the victory Chicago advances to the Eastern Conference final for the second straight year where they will host Real Salt Lake next week. Click to continue reading...

The defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew saw their season end at the hand of Real Salt Lake tonight after losing the return leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal 3-2 at Crew Stadium. The early exit will be a tough one for Crew fans to stomach, as the team successfully defended its Supporters' Shield title and was heavily favored entering the match-up with RSL, who only sneaked into the playoffs on the final matchday.

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Roughly a quarter of the way into the new season and the Big Four have experiences vastly contrasting fortunes. We have a look at them...

Chelsea

Won five from five, on a great run currently, Drogba firing, Lampard re-finding his goalscoring touch, defence shored up.

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Editor's note: Living in the Midlands I tend to set off early for Arsenal games, and don't get back until after midnight, which means if I leave up the predictions about tonight's game as the lead story, it is going to look fairly dumb at 10.30pm UK time where I have predicted a 6-1 victory, [...] Click to continue reading...

Now updated after the Ukraine and Belarus games (and some 'interesting' feedback) below is the squad we think Don Fabio should take to South Africa, with reason for inclusion - and exclusion...

Who should go... Goalkeepers

David James - Has been first choice for a while now, and we are yet to find a better alternative

Rob Green - He is the closest we have to a better alternative.

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Always expect the unexpected when it comes to the Superclasico. Only two goals were scored in the three regular season meetings between Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy (both by the Galaxy), but in the first leg of the first round playoff matchup between the two Home Depot Center tenants, both teams found the back of the net twice on Sunday afternoon, albeit it on strange circumstances. Click to continue reading...

It wasn't the prettiest match either team has played this season, but Real Salt Lake stole a late goal Saturday afternoon to claim a 1-0 victory over a defensive-minded Columbus Crew squad. Seemingly happy to leave Rio Tinto stadium with a draw, Columbus coach Robert Warzycha fielded a surprising lineup devoid of reigning MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto or attacking options Alejandro Moreno and Emmanuel Ekpo. Click to continue reading...

In a match that featured intense physical play, defensive dominance and a near-brawl, the Seattle Sounders drew 0-0 with the Houston Dynamo on Thursday night at Qwest Field. Seattle defender Patrick Ianni, a last-minute replacement in the starting lineup, came closest to scoring by hitting the crossbar, but the home side also needed a few clutch saves by Kasey Keller to salvage the draw.

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What a difference a year makes. At about this time last year, the Los Angeles Galaxy were pondering a third straight season without a playoff berth even though it boasted one of the best players in the world in midfielder David Beckham and the best American player in Landon Donovan, who scored 20 goal last season. Click to continue reading...

The stakes for the season-ending rivalry tilt between Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids get bigger every season, and this year will be no exception.

RSL and the Rapids face off on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium, and each team will be gunning for all three points, as both are among seven teams fighting for the final three playoff spots.

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Wait...didn't Rubin Kazan direct "On The Waterfront"?
And with that, I complete my UEFA Champions League commentary for the year 2009.
Meanwhile, Landon Donovan has won his sixth Honda Player of the Year award, given to the outstanding US national team player. (I nearly wrote "outstnading," which would have given unearthly delight to our friends who support Mexico. Click to continue reading...

The U.S. Men's National team scored three unanswered goals then held on for dear life to eke out a 3-2 win at San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday night and qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Surprise starter Conor Casey scored twice his first goals in a national team shirt, and when Landon Donovan converted a free kick the U.

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The U.S. Men's National team scored three unanswered goals then held on for dear life to eke out a 3-2 win at San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Saturday night and qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Surprise starter Conor Casey scored twice--his first goals in a national team shirt, and when Landon Donovan converted a free kick the U. Click to continue reading...

FC Dallas defeated the SJ Quakes 2-1 at Buck Shaw Stadium in the Quakes last home match of the season, a thriller that accelerated until the final whistle. FCD's Jeff Cunningham added a goal and assist to his tally atop the MLS Golden Boot leader board, and Quakes rookie Quincy Amarikwa netted his first regular season goal. Click to continue reading...

England take on the Ukraine having already qualified for the World Cup with a 100% record. Read on for the squad we think Don Fabio should and shouldn't take, and why...

Who should go... Goalkeepers

David James - Has been first choice for a while now, and we are yet to find a better alternative

Rob Green - He is the closest we have to a better alternative

Paul Robinson - He is the best option for third choice considering Ben Foster is actually shit

Defenders

Ashley Cole - Utter prick, arguably one of the best left backs in the world though

John Terry - Captain spastic

Rio Ferdinand - A world class performer when he isn't being merked by injuries

Joleon Lescott - Ridiculously overpriced but solid and an option at left back

Matthew Upson - Shows the paucity of good resources should Terry/Rio get injured

Glen Johnson - Yes, has defensive frailties.

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There have been more goals than ever before in the Premier League. And despite the relative glut this weekend, many less draws. Plus, more players than usual are getting on the scoresheet. We look at these anomalies and the possible reasons why...

1. More goals than ever before

There have been 2.

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It's patently obvious Man Utd are not the side they were. No-one can lose Tevez and Ronaldo and be as effective - especially if you replace them with Valencia (3 goals and 3 assists last season) and Owen (perennially injured, super-sub). We maintain they will struggle this season - a slip out of the top four has even been mooted.

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It has been four long years for the Los Angeles Galaxy, but they are one step closer to back where they want to be. Landon Donovan's goal just before halftime was all the LA Galaxy needed to hold off the Chicago Fire 1-0 Friday night at the Home Depot Center. The victory puts the Galaxy in first place in the Western Conference and all but wraps up the team's first playoff berth since 2005--and first since a certain English midfielder joined its ranks two seasons ago. Click to continue reading...

The Houston Dynamo no longer control their own destiny in the CONCACAF Champions League after losing 1-0 to Mexico's Pachuca Wednesday night at Robertson Stadium. A Brian Mullan shot off the post was as close as the home side came to breaking through against their Mexican opponents. Houston must now win on the road in their final group stage match--something the team has never done in 10 attempts in CCL play. Click to continue reading...

Time is tight this busy Monday but having a 'weekend preview' as the top story is just irritating. So instead we've used Football 365's ever excellent 'winners and losers' feature. Cheers...

The original story can be found here.

Winners

Wigan
Defeat for Chelsea, history for Wigan, relief for the chasing pack and welcome credibility for the other half of the Premier League.

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Big Story

What with all the big news stories out there—FIFA U20 World Cup action, Notts County's shifty owners—I thought I'd ease you into your late Sunday news-gathering expedition with an irreverent look at what happens when a team many were counting on to fill in the role as the Big Four minnow destroyer du jour loses 3-1 to lil' ol' Wigan.

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The New England Revolution got a pair of goals by Shalrie Joseph, one in the waning moments of the game to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. The victory moves the Revs into third place in the Eastern Conference.
Check out Mark Claypool's match report or skip right to the Revs player ratings. Click to continue reading...

From Sky: Chelsea look to continue their formidable start to the 2009/10 Premier League season as they travel to Wigan Athletic, while bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth host Everton on a weekend of nine top-flight fixtures.

The above is a tale of two hugely contrasting beginnings to the new campaign.

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Once again, Colorado's Conor Casey scored a penalty kick in second-half stoppage time to tie the San Jose Earthquakes 1-1. But unlike Friday's result at San Jose, this one Wednesday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park disappointed Colorado's coaches and players.
Pat Shea reports from DSGP. Click to continue reading...

We're only six games into the season, but much has already become apparent. Under-performers, over-performers, challengers, also-rans, and players and teams to watch for the right and the wrong reasons. Here's a quick look at the most obvious, interesting, and intriguing...

Manchester City

It's already clear they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

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One week after they completely fell apart in a 6-3 loss to FC Dallas, the Los Angeles Galaxy successfully regrouped, as a couple changes to the lineup, coupled with goals from David Beckham and Edson Buddle allowed the Galaxy to bounce back from last week's brutal loss with a 2-0 win over Toronto FC at the Home Depot Center. Click to continue reading...

The King is gone, long live king Hucks, but the San Jose Kingdom remains. Tonight the Colorado Rapids will have a go against the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium, looking to solidify a berth in the playoffs. This may be a pivotal engagement for the Quakes, their first match after Darren Huckerby's retirement. Click to continue reading...