It's a simple question but there could be so many answers. Chelsea could do with another win but with the busy festive period only just finished, I wonder if AVB will rotate the side and bring in some of the fringe players and some youngsters?
This is a competition the club always wants to win.

Today Major League Soccer released the 2012 schedule and it's being touted as the longest ever, running from March 10 until the MLS Cup final on December 1. That leaves January and February as the only calendar months without league matches.

December is more of a psychological barrier than anything else.

Two shirts we hope to never see on the field for the USMNT again...The new year is less than a week old and today (supposedly) Major League Soccer is releasing the 2012 schedule. American soccer is right around the corner! There's no time like the present to make a few "New Beers Resolutions" for both the upcoming domestic season and the year as a whole.

U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati speaks to U.S. supporters (including the American Outlaws) in Chicago. He might have been taking about this....
The idea is simple: invite your friends to a soccer game, buy them a beer. There... you've done it! You're now a participant in the Free Beer Movement.

szólj hozzá: Villarreal 0-2 Napoli

City managed to rain on Bayern's parade by beating them 2-0 but it was not enough as Napoli turned on the screws against Villareal to run out 2-0 victors. Bayern and Napoli go through to the Champions League knock out stage.

It's no idle conjecture imagining Napoli going far into the CL maybe even to the finals.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Whilst watching this behind the scenes video of Roma's new merch catalogue, we get an unfortunate look at the conundrum that is Osvaldo's hair.

There. We said it. The hard part is out of the way.

The club did take our delicate sensibilities into consideration and also populated their promo with Lamela's torso, Baby Bojan's mouth pillows and a sizzling Simon Kjaer to make up for up it.

TUDO BEM?!! Welcome to Day 2 of the Selecao Bootcamp, brought to you by the "Caras Novas" or newbies of the Brazilian team - Alex Sandro, Bruno Cesar, Dudu, Kleber and Willian! Many of them are from the winning U-20 Brazilian national side and were picked based on those performances.

I for one was astounded to hear about the ridiculous bids being made by Chelsea for Luka Modric. I have said all along that I felt personally that as far as Luka Modric playing for Chelsea is concerned, the jury is out.
It's all well and good being the main man, play maker for Spurs, but to come to Chelsea with the midfielders we have here already and to dominate possession of the ball, to be the main man, its a very different role here.

Our first chat with one of the Premier League newbies, Swansea fan Chris Carra, from Forza Swansea, has spoken about his hopes for the season ahead.

Scott the Red: Were you happy with your team's performance last season?

Chris Carra: Yes, Swansea had their bad periods and dips in form, but overall delivered an exciting, fluid footballing experience, with promotion as their deserved reward!

This. This is why soccer is unbelievable. The moments that make you exclaim, "What the FUCK!"
They happen all. the. time. in soccer. It's your job to make sure you're there for them. And while you're at it... bring a few newbies along for the right so you all can scream "fuck" at the same time.

Sepp Blatter was re-elected as FIFA's President today in one of the more lopsided elections in history.
Here's how Blatter's 91.63% total (186 votes out of 203 possible) compares to some of his dictatorial counterparts:
Uzbekistan's Islam Karimov 2007 Election 80%
Kazakhstan's Nursultan Nazarbayev 2005 Election 91.

After last night's Minnesota Stars victory over the Puerto Rico Islanders, assistant coach Carl Craig brought his team over to the Stars supporters (Dark Clouds) to thank the fast-growing supporters section by singing them a song. Craig, who grew up a Geordie supporting his beloved Newcastle United, is well versed in supporters songs and evidently he's been teaching a few of them to his team.

Making chums with the newbies

So, what have we been up to the past few days? Still seething over the latest home defeat to a 'lesser' side? Already thinking of the next season. Judging by the comments that I've seen over these past days, the latter seemed to be on everyone's mind. There's list here and there about which player they want out of the club and which player they want Arsene Wenger to sign.

Episode 111: "Potent African Thunder"
Host: Scott Bornstein
Panel: Johnathon Sykes, Ata Dizdar, Devin Howard
DOWNLOAD Episode 11132-Bit (Small File)96-Bit (Large File)
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This week on the show, two more newbies debut with two big returns.

The Union start their 2011 campaign with a stronger midfield than last year- and it will be most important for their success. Returning, they have left-footed play makers Justin Mapp and Roger Torres, youngsters Amobi Okugo, JT Noone and Kyle Nakazawa, and veterans Stefani Miglioranzi, Nick Zimmerman and Andrew Jacobson.

There are people who have been watching Arsenal since they had a shiny, bald baby head which is currently returning to its hairless, albeit far less shiny, state. And although I'm the newest of newbies in comparison with them, I think I can match the grumpiest old gooner in being negative about things.

Watching the U.S.-Chile last night, I couldn't help feeling that we've finally entered the era of bilingualism in U.S. football. The game was a showcase of new players from both sides, pitting two teams in the midst of promising and exciting development. (You can read a great analysis the debates and controversies surrounding Chile's team, and it's coach, by Jeffrey Richey here).

Happy New Year from the Roma Review! Intense last matchday in Serie A with games on Thursday and Sunday. Playing two matches so close together can take a toll on players, especially after winter breaks as holiday revelry and distractions which occur off the pitch require a refocus upon return.