What is it with unusual pitch invaders on Merseyside lately? Last week, a protestor cuffed himself to the posts at Goodison Park to register his disgust with a budget airlines, and tonight a cat found its way onto the pitch during Tottenham's bout with Liverpool at Anfield.

Brad Friedel was visibly freaked out by the impromptu appearance of the misplaced moggy — perhaps he thought Harry Redknapp had sent one of his pets in his absence from the match — and Liverpool fans responded with the inventive chant "a cat, a cat, a cat, a cat, cat.

Generation 2022: Al-Kass Under-17 International Cup Scouting Report is a post from: Just Football

Always on the lookout for new talent here at Just Football, we sent our man in Qatar to check out the inaugural Al-Kass International Under-17 tournament. A warm welcome to Raphael Nawari, who reports on a competition full of promising youngsters:

In a small secluded part of the world, the new stars of tomorrow are taking part in a newly formed tournament, which in years to come will be considered as one of the better known youth tournaments, rivalling the Milk Cup and others where the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi have graced us with their precocious talents.

LA Galaxy Academy forward Jose Villarreal joined Jack McBean and Tristan Bowen as Academy players who signed with the Galaxy as Homegrown Players.
Villarreal, 18, transferred to the Galaxy after winning the 2011 U-17/18 Finals Week championship with Pateadores. At the end of last season, his two goals paved the way for a 2-0 win against FC Dallas in the 2011 U-17/18 Finals Week championship match.

By JOEY SAMUEL

In a match where both teams needed three points, London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea each had to settle for one as they played to a 1-1 draw. Emmanuel Adebayor scored to put Spurs up in the 8th minute, only for Chelsea to equalize through Daniel Sturridge fifteen minutes later.

The Generation Adidas Tour featured young players from across the MLS. They toured Holland and played some of its best reserve teams including Ajax, FC Volendam, and Almere City FC. Upon arriving home from the tour, Pat McStay of Virginia Online Soccer News was able to catch up with Conor Shanosky, current D.

If drawing 1-1 at home to Fulham and losing in the Milk Cup with an understrength team can be described as a blip, then our blip was batted away with that assured win at Wigan.

Nice too that the goals were scored not by one man, but by four. Particularly pleasing too that Gervinho netted one: I think he's had a big effect on our attacking potency, even if he's not sunk as many goals as we might have liked – though three league goals in ten starts is hardly a drought, either.

Ducky's Note: Long-time Blues fan Ratna Prashanth evaluates the reason for Andres Villas-Boas' apparent failure to adapt Chelsea to his method. Or adapt himself to Chelsea's method!

I think we can (win the title). We have most of the same players (who have won the title before)

- Andres Villas-Boas

Confidence is appreciable, but we need to get the right results if we are to compete for three titles (now that the milk cup is gone) and for this, December is the key.

Kenny taking the League Cup seriously, like Bob did

BOB PAISLEY was Liverpool's manager for nine seasons and in every single one of those seasons he guided the club to a piece of silverware. The only major trophy to elude him was the FA Cup but that wasn't through lack of trying.

After competing this summer with the US U-18 team at the Milk Cup, midfielder Jose Villarreal is trying to land a professional contract in Europe.

Don't mention the score

It's back into the Milk Cup saddle this evening as Bolton roll into town. Despite having despatched Shrewsbury Town already, the merest mention of a Carling Cup tie takes me back to memories of filing out of Wembley in February. It's hard to forget, even now.

By Alan Duffy

Jackman rates Grant Holt's start to the season out of 10

Aussie superstar Hugh Jackman is the latest big cheese from the world of entertainment to flirt with part-ownership of an English football club, thus following in the footsteps of Jay-Z (Arsenal) and 50 Cent (Accrington Stanley).

Jack Coleman will be a big part of the Hoosier's season this year. (Photo via USSoccer.com)

With each year that the MLS academy system is around, college teams will get a little richer for a couple years. That is certainly the case this season as several college teams are blessed with loads of talent from the MLS academy system.

As the U-18 MNT has returned from the Milk Cup, we thought we'd see what they did on their summer "vacation". The Milk Cup is a favorite of youth national team veterans, and here is some insight into why ...
A "pool" work out kicked up a notch in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic
A visit to Dunlace Castle, situated close to the team hotel
The opening ceremony parade - It feels like all of Northern Ireland comes out in support
of the young players at the Milk Cup
Taking in some of the local cuisine

The 2011 Milk Cup wasn't as nice to the US U18 team this time around. Returning to the Cup after walking away Cup winners last year in stunning fashion, the US finished 3rd.The BBC and NI Milk Cup were also less than helpful this year by not posting live match viewing and making many of the results and lineups for each match difficult to find unlike last year where several sites, including our
[[ This is a content summary only.

The 2011 Milk Cup wasn't as nice to the US U18 team this time around. Returning to the Cup after walking away Cup winners last year in stunning fashion, the US finished 3rd.The BBC and NI Milk Cup were also less than helpful this year by not posting live match viewing and making many of the results and lineups for each match difficult to find unlike last year where several sites, including our
[[ This is a content summary only.

The US U-18s ended the Milk Cup Tournament with a 2-1 victory over Georgia on Friday. Cody Cropper did not get the start. Instead, Sporting KC's Jon Kempin got the start in goal as Jordan McCrary and Jerome Kiesewetter each scored for the US to give the Americans both the victory and the 3rd place finish in the tournament.

The US U-18′s ended the Milk Cup Tournament with a 2-1 victory over Georgia on Friday over . Cody Cropper did not get the start. Instead, Sporting KC's Jon Kempin got the start in goal as Jordan McCrary and Jerome Kiesewetter each scored for the US to give the Americans both the victory and the 3rd place finish in the tournament.

If you follow the the Hot Time In Old Town twitter account, you know that this has been a busy week for the Chicago Fire youth teams. The Chicago Fire PDL, U-19, U-17, and U-15 teams have all been in action and Chicago Fire senior roster player but youth eligible Victor Pineda received some playing time in the international Milk Cup tournament.

After sitting on the bench for the US U18 team's first two games of the Milk Cup, Sporting KC goalkeeper, Jon Kempin got the start today in the third place game today against Georgia today in Northern Ireland. The US pulled out a 2-1 win to finish the competition 2-0-1 in the 3 game competition. Goals by Jordan McCrary and Jerome Kiesewetter led the US attack getting the two goals.

Jordan McCrary and Jerome Kiesewetter each scored, as the United States Under-18 national team defeated Georgia, 2-1, to capture third place at the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.

McCrary scored off of a Jose Villarreal free kick in the 39th minute, and Kiesewetter finished off an Omar Salgado cross in the 58th for the eventual game-winning tally.

With a six-team tournament played in just five days, the set up for the Milk Cup is a bit unusual, but it generally works out. The teams can't all play each other of course, so everyone plays two games and then falls into a placement game.
That's how the U.S. team slid to third place in the overall standings .

There will be no repeat for the United States U-18s in Northern Ireland.

The United States tied arch-rival Mexico, 1-1, on Wednesday afternoon, but the result was unable to help the young Americans qualify for the Milk Cup final. Jesús Ruiz opened the scoring for El Tri in the 12th minute, slotting a corner kick past goalkeeper Cody Cropper.

The US U-18′s tied Mexico 1-1 yesterday in their second game of the Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland. The draw and a record of 1-1-0 eliminates the US from defending their title. Northern Ireland and Denmark will face off in the final. Those teams had identical records to the US but go through on goal differential.

The US U-18s tied Mexico 1-1 yesterday in their second game of the Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland. The draw and a record of 1-1-0 eliminates the US from defending their title. Northern Ireland and Denmark will face off in the final. Those teams had identical records to the US but go through on goal differential.

The US U-18 national team played to a draw with Mexico in their second game of the Milk Cup on Wednesday but failed to qualify for the Championship game because of the goals scored tiebreaker.

MLS ALL-Star Game Tonight Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler and Omar Bravo are both in the game day lineup but will they see the field? With all the minutes they have and still need to play, do we want them to even get more that a token appearance? All Star Game Watch Party Watch Party at Johnny's Tavern at Power and Light District.

Omar Salgado celebrates his opening goal.

Goalkeeper Cody Cropper and his U-18 US National Team defeated Israel in their opening game of the 2011 Milk Cup at Ballymena Showgrounds, Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Both teams had chances and a 0-0 score at the end of the half was fair.

Omar Salgado celebrates his opening goal.

Goalkeeper Cody Cropper and his U-18 US National Team defeated Israel in their opening game of the 2011 Milk Cup at Ballymena Showgrounds, Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Both teams had chances and a 0-0 score at the end of the half was fair.

Bratislav Ristic

The big lead this morning is Bratislav Ristic has reportedly been cut by the Chicago Fire. As one source came in, they continued to pour in to the point it's nearly impossible the 31 year-old Serbian is still a member of the team. The Fire have not sent out anything official but that announcement will likely come out some time this week if not today.

Word out of New Zealand is that Kansas City will have another international match at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park this year. According to the NZ Herald, if it's finalized, the US Women's National Team will be at LSP on September 17th to take on New Zealand. The game would be part of a two game series between the sides with the other game being in Portland.

The U.S. U-18 men's national team began its title defense of the Milk Cup in winning fashion, beating Israel 2-0 on Monday.

Second-half goals from Omar Salgado and Jerome Kiesewetter proved to be the difference in the tournament opener. Salgado scored shortly after halftime while Kiesewetter netted an insurance goal off a low cross from substitute Luis Gil in the waning moments of the match.

Omar Salgado and Jerome Kiesewetter scored in the second half for the US U-18 national team as they cruised to a comfortable victory over Israel in their opening game of the 2011 Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.

Thanks to the fine folks in Northern Ireland, we have some photos from today's U-18 MNT win against Israel that opened the Americans' campaign to defend their Milk Cup title (all photos courtesy of Russell Pritchard/Milk Cup):

Michael Ambrose winning the ball

Jordan McCrary holding off a defender

Omar Salgado celebrating his goal with some impressive ups

The soccer continued around the league while the Seattle Sounders had a much deserved weekend off. It was generally an exciting, and high scoring weekend around the league. Thierry Henry picked up his 11th goal of the season and now leads the golden boot race. Alvaro Saborio's dive against the San Jose Earthquakes opened up a game that Real Salt Lake would win 4-0.

photo by ISIphotos.com

The 2011 Milk Cup kicks off on Monday, and so does the the U.S. U-18 men's national team's title defense.

Led by Omar Salgado, Luis Gil and Cody Cropper, the United States will attempt to win a second consecutive Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.

It's that time again, time for Jason and Jared to talk about random pop culture questions like "What's more 90′s"...I mean cover the week that was in American soccer. The boys start out this week hitting on Jared's day at the World Football Challenge (ahem meaningless friendly ahem) and the carry over effect on WPS from the USWNT run and thoughts about soccer owning summer.

Hull have announced the signing of Irish Under-21 winger Robbie Brady on loan from Manchester United.
The 19-year-old Dublin born player, who can also play as a striker, has joined the Tigers until the end of the calendar year.
The highly-rated player was an influential member of United's 2009 Milk Cup-winning squad, scoring five goals in the prestigious youth tournament.

With the prestigious Milk Cup fast approaching for the US U-18 team, one of the players who will be leading the American offense is Hertha Berlin forward Jerome Kiesewetter.

It's been a big week for Ipswich Town goalkeeper and Minnesotan Cody Cropper. First it was announced that Cropper was close to signing his first pro contract, something which had been planed since last season when he signed his youth contract with Ipswich. On Friday, Cropper himself confirmed via his new Twitter account that he had indeed signed the papers making it official.

It's been a big week for Ipswich Town goalkeeper and Minnesotan Cody Cropper. First it was announced that Cropper was close to signing his first pro contract, something which had been planed since last season when he signed his youth contract with Ipswich. On Friday, Cropper himself confirmed via his new Twitter account that he had indeed signed the papers making it official.