When the Chicago Fire announced Quaker Oats as their new jersey sponsor earlier this week (I swear that one is growing on me by the day), the news left four clubs without a sponsor.

The Colorado Rapids, the Columbus Crew, FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City all have holes in their jerseys well metaphorically speaking.

Crystal Palace 12/1 outsiders for League Cup triumph after shock defeat of Manchester United

The Eagles caused a sensation at Old Trafford but remain long shots to go all the way and lift the trophy at Wembley with Man City favourites to win the League Cup

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-01 12:41:00 from: Goal

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Demba Ba almost did not make it to the Barclays Premier League. His hat-trick against Stoke ensured that Tony Pulis will continue to rue "the one that got away". But then would Demba Ba fit in at Stoke with their rugged, physical and direct footballing style? I doubt it.
The Senegalese however is excelling at Newcastle after a difficult start to the new season.

The Timbers continued their post season training today, playing an 8v8 scrimmage which occasionally featured an extra attacking player going either way.

Bright Dike, James Marcelin and Steve Purdy worked off to the side with the Timbers strength and conditioning coach Karim Derqaoui early on before leaving the field early.

AP photo

By JOSE M. ROMERO

Good thing for the Seattle Sounders that they started off CONCACAF Champions League group play with a bang, because they ended it with a whimper.

As usual, I'd recommend opening the main graphic in a new window. It's prettier that way, plus you can zoom in to see all those painstakingly placed bars. Also, as an FYI, when goals appear atop shots (circles on top of bars), it means the two incidents happened in the same minute, and it's usually for one of two reasons.

I had the opportunity to head to New York this past week to check out the all new Nike T90 Laser IV. Nike did a pretty awesome job, giving us a full presentation of the boots technology, followed by the opportunity to actually test out a pair on one of the oldest soccer pitches in New York (the Met Oval in Queens).

I have one word to describe that game: Bleh.

Again the ratings are based on a 10 point scale:

Ratings

Troy Perkins - 7 - He made two amazing saves that helped preserve the 1 point that Portland earned (not sure it was deserved)

Futty Danso - 6 - You will probably see this a lot but didn't really make any mistakes but really didn't show a lot

Eric Brunner - 7 - really put his body on the line in multiple occasions and helped stymie Chris Wondlowski

Mike Chabala - 6 - Didn't seem as involved in the attack but then again who was for the Timbers

Lovel Palmer - 7 - Really had his hands full defensively as Alhassan decided to roam around the pitch a lot more but showed he is up to the task

Kalif Alhassan - 6 - I like his aggressiveness and looking for long shots but when all but 2 of them go high or wide it might be a better idea to do something else with the ball.

Despite playing a risky, aggressive game, Dempsey rarely gave the ball away against City, and had three good attempts at goal. Is this evidence of a distillation of the various Dempseys we've seen so far?

One of the interesting things about the Martin Jol era has been the play of Clint Dempsey.

Transfer are always the talking point during pre-season (and for many, the lack of them). Obviously we're all much more aware of what's been happening here in Albion and the big money transfers, but around Europe teams have been snapping up bargains all over the show, so we have compiled an eleven of players signed up in what may turn out to be inspired deals.

The U.S. men's national team kicks off its Gold Cup on Tuesday against Canada, and with the painful memory of Saturday's 4-0 friendly loss to Spain still fresh, there is plenty of speculation about just which 11 players Bob Bradley will turn to in the Gold Cup opener on Tuesday night in Detroit.

Funny post and pretty much true I guess. Got it from a good friend and I thought you all are going to enjoy reading it. The rules of Wengerball 1. Pass the ball until it reaches the net 2. Do not shoot 3. Do not attempt long shots 4. Pass in triangles and play through [...]

FC Barcelona have won their 21st league title, and it's now three-out-of-three for manager Josep Guardiola, who has produced a winning style that has amazed the footballing world.

In three three years Guardiola has won three league titles and nine major honours in total. An amazing record by an amazing coach.

The Hollywood version of today's game would have had that rag-tag bunch, the guys who had just met, suddenly reach new heights and triumph together. Music rises, credits roll and all that jazz.
Reality at BMO Field was different. TFC looked like a jittery team. They looked like it was the day after something big had happened.