First week's training has finally concluded. It was a good week and I hope you guys enjoyed our coverage of it. We really tried to get to as many trainings as possible and, I believe, we only missed one so we were able to cover most bases. Heading into next week we'll try something similar, but I'm not sure if we'll be able to keep up the same pace.

19.01.2012 - Gabón y Guinea Ecuatorial se presentan como anfitriones de la 28º edición de la Copa Africana de Naciones 2012.
Con las notables ausencias de Camerún, Nigeria, Sudáfrica Argelia y Egipto (campeón de las últimas tres ediciones), el torneo se juega entre el 21 de enero y el 12 de febrero (2012) y el ganador recibe una invitación para participar en la Copa Confederaciones de 2012.

Seriously, you'll never guess which one was protected...Less than 24 hours after Galaxy lifted the MLS Cup, it's back to business at Don Garber's Playhouse. Aside from the Cup Final, it has been a busy few days for league administrators with a few major announcements: future MLS Cup Finals to be held at the home of the highest seeded finalist (Good); a tweak to the playoff structure (Meh); and, the introduction of a conference-heavy unbalanced schedule (Fugly)
　
Today's paperwork however, was the release of the Expansion Draft Protected Lists with each club shielding certain players from L'Impact du Montreal avec le Bibliotheque's grubby, petite, Joe Louis-grabbing fingers.

Three Americans abroad sit in the pole positions along with their clubs in the early part of the season. In Holland, Jozy Altidore is enjoying a professional renaissance with AZ Alkmaar, the team level with Twente Enschede on points at the top of the Eredivisie. Over in Scotland, Carlos Bocanegra and Maurice Edu are basking in the glow of the 4-2 victory against Celtic in the first Old Firm of the campaign, as Rangers are now four points clear at the top of the table.

So here it is, the start of the new season. And unlike the rest of you, I can say that since I really haven't watched a game yet which is an unexpected nice feeling. Yes, we all know the season really three weeks in and we have only garnered one point and basically made a bile of manure out of the summer and anything else you can think of, but we need to get on with it.

Fabio Capello looking for the Philosopher's stone to transform England?

There is no one in this England team save Wayne Rooney who'll make a World XI. And he relies on service. The best European teams have a midfield that have all five bars of connectivity when on the pitch while England stumble around looking for a signal.

It's been a productive nine days for Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. National Team that included exhaustive testing, extensive field work and quality matches across two continents. Among the notables:

• Jozy Altidore, Timmy Chandler, Clint Dempsey, Maurice Edu, Clarence Goodson, Sacha Kljestan, and Jeff Larentowicz made their first appearances with Klinsmann as the head coach
• Chandler got 180 minutes on either side of the U.

One of the criticisms you hear about soccer from Americans who don't know/understand/like the sport is that there are too many draws. I've always liked that draws are possible in soccer and find the need of some American sports fans to have a clear cut winner and loser frankly incomprehensible. For myself, I know I've probably had more draws than wins or losses in the game of life so why should the sport I love most be any different?

Bochornoso incidente racista el que se ha vivido en la Liga rusa de fútbol. En un partido entre el Krylia Sovetov de Samara y el Anzhi Makhachkala, el jugador brasileño, ex del Real Madrid, Roberto Carlos, abandonó el terreno de juego tras recibir insultos... y un plátano lanzado desde la grada.

The Gunners travel to the formerly known St James Park who knows what it is now for their opening fixture on August 13th. Newcastle has in recent years proved extremely challenging for the London side. Last season's encounters are enshrined in Toon history.

After which they face two extremely tough weekend matches against Liverpool at home and Man Utd on the road.

There are high-hopes for England's current under 21 squad as they head to the European Championship. But what have they got to live up to? 1. 1982 Star man: Justin Fashanu Notables: Mike Duxbury, Sammy Lee, Paul Goddard The England Under 21 side picked up its first major success after its formation in 1976 by [.

There are high-hopes for England's current under 21 squad as they head to the European Championship. But what have they got to live up to? 1. 1982 Star man: Justin Fashanu Notables: Mike Duxbury, Sammy Lee, Paul Goddard The England Under 21 side picked up its first major success after its formation in 1976 by [.

Reserves Pound Gonzaga 7-Nil

Frustrations released?

I feel a little bad for the college kids. That Reserve team had a lot of talent on it.
Notables - Alvaro was only player with Goal and Assist. Graham injured his hand. Only 1 player on roster didn't appear in either game, so team is nearly healthy.

Pep Guardiola no es un hombre al que le guste conceder entrevistas, y desde un principio apuntó que sólo hablaría dentro del campo y sobre el mismo. La revista ‘GQ' ha conseguido un breve encuentro con el entrenador del Barça en el que se descubren algunos de los misterios del as del deporte.

The latest FIFA Rankings have been released, the U.S. team dropping one spot to #19 in the table. Other relevant notables:

• The U.S. remains the highest ranked team in CONCACAF. Mexico is second in the region at #27
• The USA's next two opponents: Argentina (4), Paraguay (24)
• Reigning World Cup champion Spain remain at the summit

It was yet another big weekend in Serie A. The top three won, which kept things the same at the top of the table, while the race for places 4-7 continues to be ever-changing, as sides like Juventus, Palermo, Roma, and the likes aren't consistent. Below that, it continues to remain competitive, as only 4 points separate 9th place from 14th.

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The desire is there to be seen..

There are ‘moments' in any title-winning season; history may portray this as one. Arsenal trailed to a highly-controversial goal for 45 fraught and frantic minutes on Tuesday night before a rapid double repaired their Premier League aspirations.