Vasco da Gama is back from hell. The Brazilian giant granted its return to the first division of Campeonato Brasileiro less than a year after being relegated. Vasco was another giant that, as it's been happening a lot lately, felt the results of the poor administrations that control most of Brazilian football.

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2009 has not been the kindest year to DaMarcus Beasley, but the midfielder's appearance in Rangers' 2-1 victory on Saturday was a step in the right direction.

Beasley came off the bench at halftime in Rangers' league match against St. Mirren, marking the first time Beasley has seen the field in league play this season.

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Senior midfielder Riley Weiner, who helped lead Muskego to its first WIAA Division 1 state...
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Fabio Aurelio is winning his battle to be fit to return to action on Monday – and to take his place in the Brazil squad for the first time.
Aurelio, who is in the last year of his current contract, has missed Liverpool's last two games against Fulham and Lyon with a calf problem.
His form before that, though, had been good enough to catch the eye of Brazil coach Dunga, who will take Aurelio and Reds midfielder Lucas to Qatar for next Saturday's friendly with England. Click to continue reading...

Atletico have not won at the Bernabeu in 10 years. The last time October 30th, 1999 when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink with his brace and Jose Mari won a now historic victory. Sergio Aguero was 11 years old.

Hasselbaink was virtually unstoppable and so was Joan Capdevila, now at Villareal.

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Last week I posted what I believed to be Rafa Benitez's 10 biggest transfer blunders. This week, as promised, I take a look at the 10 best signings during the Boss's 5 years in charge. And there have been some absolute corkers!
When you think back to the squad Rafa inherited (Traore, Biscan, et al), it is clear that our squad is now superior in almost every way. Click to continue reading...

Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad received his second honor of the year for his off-the-field contributions to the Kansas City community. MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, announced Friday that Conrad and Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause were selected to receive Click to continue reading...

Wizards captain, Jimmy Conrad has been named Co-MLS Humanitarian of the Year along with Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause. Conrad had won the award for his work being a spokesperson for Athletes Against Autism and the Child Protection Center. He's also helped with the UN's Nothing but Nets campaign. Click to continue reading...

Pelita Jaya have announced the signing of Yuthajak Konjan. The former national team player will be among familiar faces as he was part of the 2003 Thai SEA Games squad that also featured Kosin Hatairatkul (Persib) and Phaitoon Thiabma (Persijap).
In the 2009 Thai Premier League the midfielder played for PEA and was a part of their AFC Cup run. Click to continue reading...

QUESTION ON MY MIND
So who is joining me in Chicago on Saturday for the Fire game against New England? How many times have I seen these two duke it out? Like old timey boxing? Can't wait! See you there!
STARTERS
Real Salt Lake followed New York's lead from last year and knocked the defending MLS Cup winners out of the playoffs in the first round. Click to continue reading...

No wonder this man is smiling

LONDON (AP) -- David Beckham earned nearly $16.5 million from personal sponsorship deals during his first full season with the Galaxy.

The England midfielder's latest accounts show that his marketability was unaffected by his move from Real Madrid to the United States, where soccer is less popular.

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is looking at Hamburg's Dutch midfielder Eljero Elia to help solve his Anfield crisis.
Benitez has sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old midfielder this season and is desperate to strengthen his squad, despite him being under pressure to save his job.
Under-fire Benitez has suggested agreeing a deal for Elia - who joined Hamburg from FC Twente for £7m in August - and then allowing him to stay in Germany until next summer as he is so keen to get him. Click to continue reading...

Xabi Alonso will never regret joining Liverpool in 2004, despite having the option to join his current club Real Madrid.
The Spanish international was coveted by the La Liga giants prior to leaving Real Sociedad, but chose to join the Premier League side instead.
The midfielder has great memories of his time at Anfield, and admits the fans will always hold a special place in his heart. Click to continue reading...

Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and Chicago fire midfielder Logan Pause share the 2009 MLS Humanitarian of the Year award. Conrad is a spokesperson for Athletes Against Autism and the Child Protection Center along with participating in the UN Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign. Pause participates in the Passback Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Garth Brooks Foundation and the Joshua Center in Chicago. Click to continue reading...

We haven't done this for a while here are our best three picks for this week and the weeks ahead... Although we make no assurances they will be successful.

1. David Dunn

He's fat, he's round, he's only five point seven million pound... David Dunn. By a margin Blackburn's outstanding performer this season, Dunn has already notched four goals, and in only seven appearances.

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Wenger revealed that Merida had agreed a new contract deal at Arsenal Football Club, but he has not yet signed it.
Major speculation loomed this week on the future of Arsenal's promising young midfielder, with his current contract expires next summer, and rumors has it that Atletico Madrid is keen to keen to bring Merida back to Spain. Click to continue reading...

UPDATE: According to the Birmingham Mail, Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has ruled out the possibility of going after Dynamo Kiev striker Andriy Shevchenko. McLeish said,

"Shevchenko is not on my radar. Sammy has not told me he has made inquiries.

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I understand that FIFA have other priorities, you know, the small matter of the World Cup in June next year. Surely though, they have a dedicated team that watch as many as matches of clubs from around the globe. Looking at the current list of nominees however, leads me to question whether FIFA has actually watched domestic football since 2006.

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According to Aston Villa's official website, Aston Villa have loaned out midfielder Isaiah Osbourne to Middlesbrough until December 28.

According to Tottenham's official website, Tottenham youngsters Steven Caulker, Ryan Mason, and Jonathan Obika all had their loans extended until the end of the season with Yeovil Town.

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CSKA star appears on Emirates Radar.

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Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City are considering a move for CSKA Moscow winger Milos Krasic according to reports.

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United goalkeeper Milos Kocic and midfielder Ben Olsen took in the Washington Wizards-Miami Heat game last night at the Verizon Center. Unfortunately, the Wizards lost 93-89 despite Gilbert Arenas' 32 points.

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Man United midfielder Darren Fletcher may have just returned to the first team from an injury, but there are already reports that he will have to struggle until the end of the season with an ankle injury.
Fletcher has revealed that he is hoping that a pain killing injection will delay the need for surgery. Click to continue reading...

Nacional President Rui Alves expects to set a Nacional transfer record when the team sells Portuguese midfielder Ruben Micael. The 23 year old midfielder is being held in high record and Nacional will not let him go without a team matching their asking price of $10M Euro. Micael has scored two goals in Europa League play this season. Click to continue reading...

The Zapatero government is proposing a tax rate hike from 24% to 43% for overseas players who earn more than 600,000 euros ($884,600) a year. Spain is reeling from the recession with 20% unemployment.

This will effectively end the "Beckham Law", named when the tax rates were amended in 2002 for the English midfielder to make it attractive for him and and other highly sought talent to come to the Liga.

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According to John Cross at MirrorFootball, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is preparing a £4million bid for Nacional Madeira midfielder Ruben Micael. Micael's contract expires in 2011 and so far talks between him and the club have stalled.

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According to Ian Ladyman at the Daily Mail, Manchester City are interested in Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell and plan on sending scouts to watch him soon.

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Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton was named 2009 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year on Wednesday, marking the second time he's won the award.

Thornton enjoyed a career renaissance with Chivas USA this season, posting career highs in shutouts and goals against average while helping guide Chivas USA to the playoffs.

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Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton was named 2009 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year on Wednesday, marking the second time he's won the award.

Thornton enjoyed a career renaissance with Chivas USA this season, posting career highs in shutouts and goals against average while helping guide Chivas USA to the playoffs.

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Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton won the 2009 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award, Major League Soccer announced on Wednesday. Thornton won the award in 1998, becoming the third MLS keeper to be honored twice. New England midfielder Steve Ralston won the Fair Play award, with the Chicago Fire winning the team Fair Play award. Click to continue reading...

David Beckham signed for AC Milan on loan last season and proved such a hit that the England midfielder will again pull on the AC Milan shirt for the second half of this season to give himself the best possible chance to reach the 2010 World Cup and Milan coach Leonardo is looking forward to adding Beckham to his squad.

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As if Rafa Benitez and Liverpool's woes couldn't get any worse after their 3-1 loss against Fulham on Tuesday, word came this week that his star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both might need surgery in the next month.

Torres has been ailed with a sports hernia injury, while Gerrard picked up a groin injury while playing for England last month.

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As if Rafa Benitez and Liverpool's woes couldn't get any worse after their 3-1 loss against Fulham on Saturday, word came this week that both his top stars, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, might need surgery in the next month.

Torres has been dealing with a sports hernia injury, while Gerrard picked up a groin injury while playing for England last month.

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Alan Dzagoev showed exactly why he is Russia's brightest new hope with a masterful display on how to use operational space.
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I was first alerted to the dazzling talents of Alan Dzagoev during a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in last year's Europa Cup campaign and it is noticeable to see just how far he has come since then.

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Up and coming talent linked with Anfield move.

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Liverpool are reportedly lining up a move for young Hungarian midfielder Vladimir Koman.

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Over the past few days I've been reading the book Secret Diary of a Liverpool Scout which deals with the life of former chief scout Geoff Twentyman (review of this should be online early next week).
Author Simon Hughes has done an excellent job of rounding not only players that Twentyman helped bring to Liverpool but also those that ended up elsewhere. Click to continue reading...