1986 World Cup in Mexico...Argentina vs England...Diego Armando Maradona...If you still don't know what I'm talking about, here's a quick summary:It was a quarter final game and Argentina defeated England 2-1. Argentina's second goal was scored by Maradona, who is 5 ft 5 in, against England's goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who is 6 ft 1 in, on a "header"! Click to continue reading...

Let me first start by thanking everyone for their comments and generous words of advice. It is your comments that make this blog worthwhile. Whether you are complimenting me on a humorous post or telling me to go fuck myself, I cherish every word.

Now, let's get to my St. Louis Soccer United post.

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The United States dropped three places to 14th in the latest FIFA Rankings. FIFA once again extended the rankings period, this time to include the playoffs for the final six World Cup slots. The United States played twice during the rankings period, losing to Slovakia and Denmark. Mexico moved up three places to 16th. Click to continue reading...

On Friday December 4th we will find out how the group stages will look for the XIX World Cup to take place in South Africa next Summer.
We now know the 32 countries that qualified for the world Cup:
For CONCACAF it was The United States, Mexico and Honduras.
For CONMEBOL it was Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Click to continue reading...

The World Cup winners in 1930 and 1950 became the last team to qualify for South Africa 2010 thanks to a draw with Costa Rica at the Centenario in Montevideo. Substitute Sebastian Abreu - who plays for Aris Salonika in Greece -� put the hosts ahead 70 minutes but Costa Rica equalised when Deportivo Saprissa's Walter Centeno scored four minutes later.

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Welcome from Land Shark Stadium in Miami. Honduras, a World Cup qualifier from CONCACAF takes on Peru here. Down in Montevideo, Costa Rica is taking on Uruguay for the final spot in South Africa. Earlier today, a US side made up largely of reserves was beaten by a Danish side made up almost completely of reserves 3-1.

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Six teams qualified for next year's World Cup in South Africa today, finalizing the field that will compete in the first World Cup in African soil.

France, Slovenia, Uruguay, Portugal, Greece and Algeria advanced to the finals ending the dreams of Ireland, Russia, Costa Rica, Ukraine and Egypt in the process.

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CONCACAF has released the schedule for the knockout stage of the Champions League. The Columbus Crew got meet Mexico's Toluca in the quarterfinals. All of the quarterfinal pairings have a Mexican club and that club hosts the second-leg. QUARTERFINALS First Leg – March 9-11 Second Leg – March 16-18 QF1: *Comunicaciones vs. Click to continue reading...

CONCACAF held its draw for the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday and the draw will pit defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew against defending Mexican League champion Toluca.

Columbus was eliminated from the MLS playoffs by Real Salt Lake in the first round, but will kick off 2010 in March with a home-and-home quarterfinal series against Toluca.

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CONCACAF held its draw for the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday and the draw will pit defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew against Mexican League power Toluca.

Columbus was eliminated from the MLS playoffs by Real Salt Lake in the first round, but will kick off 2010 in March with a home-and-home quarterfinal series against Toluca.

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Easily the greatest penalty shootout celebration in history. (0.20) Fabio Capello is not such a hit in Spain. (La Liga Loca) The dam is breaking in Manchester. (EPL Talk) Raymond Domenech: not so smart. (The Spoiler) Amaral writes a nice, though curious, parting letter. (SoccerLens) Robin van Persie to get mystery placenta juice treatments. Click to continue reading...

Another international has shockingly been lost. Former MLS target Antonio De Nigris, who was playing with Greek side Larissa, has died of a heart attack at the age of 31.This is hitting the El Tri community hard, as you might imagine. NSC condolences go out to his family, friends, teammates and fans. Click to continue reading...

As you can see from the highlights, the US MNT's 1-0 loss to Slovakia wasn't pretty, but they hung in there, got some good chances, and only allowed a goal on a questionable penalty kick (also, good job spelling Marek Hamsik's name wrong, USsoccer.com).

There really isn't too much you can say about this match.

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Most of you have probably already seen this, but Robin van Persie tore an ankle ligament today, an injury which will keep him up for around 2 months..

What, you may ask, super-important match was he playing in to take on such an injury? Was it the World Cup? Nope. The European championships?

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Eric Altshule sits down with a legend of American soccer, Alexi Lalas to discuss a myriad of different subjects. As always Lalas is very compelling and perhaps a tad bit controversial. A must listen for any American soccer fan.

Related posts:

1. Mexico's Continued Pain and Alexi Lalas I must admit having a new respect for the Mexican.

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1. Fear the tiger -- via The Animal Blog
2. Zidane = Johnny Cash -- via Kickette
3. Pele juxtaposed -- via Futbolita
4. Alcorcon parade -- via Dirty Tackle
5. Closer look at ugly Mexico kit -- via UF
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Today, Santos Laguna inaugurated their impressive athletic complex, Territorio Santos Modelo (TSM). And all of the heavy hitters in Mexican, CONCACAF, and world soccer were there, from Javier Aguirre, Justino Compeán, and Mexican President Felipe Calderón to Jack Warner, Sepp Blatter, and Pelé. Ricky Martin gave the first concert, and Santos and Brazil's Santos are playing the first match in the new stadium (with Matías Vuoso scoring the first goal). Click to continue reading...

Solo con ver los rostros de Ochoa y Palencia uno ya sabe su opnion sobre el nuevo diseño de la camiseta que Mexico usara para el Mundial 2010. Parece que esta echo de aluminio con un estampado extraño. Pero creanme que esto es mucho mejor al diseño que el Rafa Marquez tenia en mente.

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In the spirit of the World Cup season, allow Ballackwurst and co' to present to you with the new German national team kits. It seems to set in well on the shoulders, don't you think? Lieblich! Bastian Schweinsteiger is all "meh" in this photo below, but they all secretly love the extra space on the left to show off the arm muscles, so do not fear!

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I love this time of year. Teams start showing off their new kits and the World Cup spirit starts entering our hearts! Here are the new uniforms for Germany, Japan and Mexico (Adidas is going strong on releasing the new kits huh?).

Germany's New Kit: well done.

Japan's New Kit: I want.

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Ya mi compañero Liverpudlian te mostró la playera con la que jugará México en este mundial 2010, playera que no está nada mal aunque a varios aficionados no les guste esta nueva jersey.

Te voy a decir porque esta jersey para mi esta bonita. A comparación con las otras jerseys mostradas por la marca alemana ADIDAS para otros países como España, Argentina y Alemania, la de Mexico es algo especial y única.

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Under the theme Somos Guererros (We are Warriors), adidas and La Federación Mexicana de Futbol (FMF) have officially presented the adidas Mexico World Cup 2010 home and goalkeeper kits. The kit launch occurred earlier tonight at El Museo de Antropología (Museum of Anthropology) in Mexico City. Members of El Tri including Guillermo Ochoa, Gerardo Torrado, Francisco Palencia, [. Click to continue reading...

U-17 World Cup on Galavision: Mexico - Korea at 10am. Europa League on GolTV: Hamburgh - Celtic at 1pm, Villarreal - Lazio at 3pm, and Everton - Benfica at 8pm. MLS playoffs on ESPN2: Salt Lake - Columbus at 8pm. Copa Sudamericana on Fox SPorts en Espanol: Universidad - Fluminense at 6pm and LDU Quito - Velez Sarsfield at 8:30pm. Click to continue reading...

The Federación Mexicana de Futbol (FMF) has announced that it will officially present the adidas kits that the Mexico national football team will wear during next year's World Cup on Monday, November 9th, 2009. The kit launch will occur at the El Museo de Antropología in Mexico City. Members of El Tri, represenatives from adidas, FMF [. Click to continue reading...

Fantastic development, landing Mexico is real coup for the Dallas Cup. Click to continue reading...

How fun must it be to work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia? This show is like Seinfeld with the evil turned up to 11. Sometimes, the best comedy of manners is the one without any (also see Curb Your Enthusiasm)...#1 - A few local all-stars hook us up with the view heading into respective first round deciders:- Bernardo Fallas on HOU/SEA- Nick Green on LA/CHV- Shawn Mitchell on CLB/RSL#2 - Click to continue reading...

I'll get A few things up later, but for now, things are still accumulating nicely... Let's start with Denny Landzaat's classy Kakkerlakken consolation from yesterday. The trick is, you must watch through the entire highlight package to see it. You had to know I was gonna allude to this match somehow. Click to continue reading...

The group phase of the U-17 World Cup is now over, and Mexico and the USA are the only two CONCACAF sides in the knockout stages. USA defeated UAE 1-0 on Sunday to finish second in their group, while Mexico beat Japan 2-0 on Friday to finish second in Group B. Now the Mexicans will face South Korea in their round of 16 match, and the Americans will play Italy. Click to continue reading...

Franco should be a hero in Mexico/PA Sports Image

I understand this is a website dedicated to MLS and US Soccer, but please indulge me in this moment of personal privilege about our neighbors to the south and our neighbors to the north.

Guille Franco opened his Premier League account yesterday, playing for a less competitive West Ham side than former Mexican striker Jared Borgetti did in Bolton a few years back.

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My recent posts on ESPNChicago.com:
• Oct. 29: Mike Banner's versatility pays off
• Oct. 28: Fire's, Rev's depth put to test this season
Also in the news:
•� Cuauhtemoc Blanco: Blanco to leave Fire for Mexico
• U.S WNT: U.S. tops Germany, 1-0 / Local focus: Red Stars forward Ella Masar came into the game in the 73rd minute for Amy Rodriguez. Click to continue reading...

Blanco is headed back to Mexico after the playoffs. (Getty Images)

Like we didn't see this news coming at the start of the 2009 season. Chicago Fire designated player Cuauhtemoc Blanco stated he would not return next year after his contract ended this season and he has made good (for now) on that word.

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Under-17 World Cup on Galavision: Japan - Mexico at 2pm. All Times Eastern Click to continue reading...

For the second game in a row, Honduras held their own at the U-17 World Championships in Nigeria. Unfortunately, for the second time in a row they lost, this time to the host team by the minimum. The match told the tale of a Honduran side that were organized in the back but couldn't generate sustained possession in their opponent's half. Click to continue reading...

Not even on the bench for Sunday's game against West Ham United, Mexico International Carlos Vela will make sure to shine tonight when Arsenal face Liverpool in their fourth round, Carling Cup game. The 20-year old ... Click to continue reading...

Not even on the bench for Sunday's game against West Ham United, Mexico International Carlos Vela will make sure to shine tonight when Arsenal face Liverpool in their fourth round, Carling Cup game. The 20-year old ...

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