So who watched the game Friday night between Los Angeles and Houston? Or should I say who watched the semi-final match Saturday morning?Â

If you did watch the match, then you know exactly what I am talking about. You know that it was one of the worst planned and executed playoff matches in American sports history.

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The Italy U-21's continued their very disappointing qualifying campaign with another loss, this time away to Hungary. The Azzurrini needed a win to get back on track, but now qualification is getting more and more difficult. The Hungarians won 2-0, with goals coming from Nemeth and Koman (both players played on the Hungarian side that knocked the Italy U-20's out of the U-20 World Cup last month).

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Take time this weekend to sign up to support Kansas City's bid to bring the World Cup here. Not just to the United States but to Kansas City. There is a very good chance and we want to help that bid in every way possible.Sign the petition below please!!!The economic boom from be a World Cup host city is only rivaled by the Olympics with little to no need to spend money. Click to continue reading...

ESPN ran a story about a recent match between BYU and New Mexico's women's teams which has become infamous for the elbows-to-the-ribs and ponytail-yank antics of New Mexico player Elizabeth Lambert. Fans of the sport are groaning, because this is what it takes to get a non-Olympics/World Cup/WPS Final into headlines - replays of bitchslap. Click to continue reading...

At least Barca drew with Rubin Kazan this time, but in no way did they impress. Something about Champion's League play has the boys from the shore playing snake-bitten...and I think I know what it is.

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Take a look at the crew from Barcelona and answer me one question. Even though they are the reigning European Champions (and have a huge bullseye on their backs) do you think they kind of expect to be in the Final 16?

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After Barca destroyed Zaragoza 6-0 the other day now we have saying Xavi saying it's all good in the home of the '92 Olympics.

I beg to differ.

Listen, they drew Valencia (no slouch of a team, but they're not as good as Barca), they lost to a Russian club in the Champion's League and then they took out their frustrations on Zaragoza.

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As most of us already know, the city of Madrid's "Olympic Bidding 101: Hot Men/Sex Sells" ploy didn't go as planned.

Still, their scheme wins high marks from us because we've uncovered these visually pleasing stills of Raul at an Olympics presser. In fact, hot close-up shots of this man are clinically proven to naturally raise body temperatures and stimulate happy hormone production by 10%.

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Images via Zimbio

As most of us already know, the city of Madrid's "Olympic Bidding 101: Hot Men/Sex Sells" ploy didn't go as planned.

Still, their scheme wins high marks from us because we've uncovered these visually pleasing stills of Raul at an Olympics presser. In fact, hot close-up shots of this man are clinically proven to naturally raise body temperatures and stimulate happy hormone production by 10%.

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For the last time, it's pronounced HUE-clees!

The Boston Breakers site just announced Angela Hucles is retiring from professional soccer. She says:

I always wanted to involve myself in things I was passionate about and give 110 percent.

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... that, when considering levels Under-20 and above, the U.S. Men's National Teams have surrendered three penalty kick goals and seen eight men sent off in their last 19 FIFA cup matches?That includes World Cup 2006, the 2007 Under-20 World Cup, the 2008 Summer Olympics, Confederations Cup and the ongoing 2009 Under-20 World Cup. Click to continue reading...

So we all know that Rio will be hosting the 2016 Olympics... but the man of the moment has to be Felipe Andreoli, the host of CQC, a popular TV show in Latin America and parts of Europe (you may remember this Chilean tipo teasing players at the Bernabeu).

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Sounds like you have finally count Vancouver's MLS expansion plan in for good as BC Place will officially be fitted with a retractable roof after the conclusion of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

According to the reports, the roof should still be finished in time for the start of the 2011 season for the Whitecaps.

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Let's begin with ESPN's Derek Rae and Janusz Michalik with their weekly Americans Abroad two cents.Also from ESPN, Tommy Smyth busts out with his world Top 25. As you might imagine, I have a laundry list of complaints with his list.The British Special Olympics have taken to an unusual fundraising drive. Click to continue reading...

Last week Rio de Janeiro was awarded the hosting of the 2016 Olympic Games in a close contest with Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago. All countries had brought leaders and celebrities to Copenhagen to promote their bids. The US President Barack Obama even came to promote Chicago, that nevertheless, to many people's surprise, were the first to be eliminated. Click to continue reading...

As everyone is well aware, Chicago's hopes of landing the 2016 Summer Olympic Games came crashing back to Earth last week with a thud. You can place the blame wherever you please, many people are, but you can't deny that it comes as a blow to our collective sporting ego. It's at this time that we must accept the fact that Rio simply put forth a superior bid and redouble our efforts to land the World Cup the world's largest sporting event in either 2018 or 2022.

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At 28 years old Conor Casey was a relatively unknown player until a few years ago although the forward did turn some heads as a collegiate player. Casey was named Sport America's Freshman of the Year during his career at Portland and he also lead the NCAA in goals scored during his Sophomore year with 23.

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Parabens to Rio de Janeiro... hosts of the 2016 Olympic Games! Let's take a short break away from futbol, shall we, and celebrate... like the sexy pessoas did at Copacabana yesterday! Pele was in tears but they didn't bother to fly his best friend Romario to Copenhagen to hand him a tissue (they could've easily invited Ronaldo along too and played the 'we're a football crazy nation' card but alas, Lula knew the importance of being modest).

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While we never really had a chance to land the 2016 Olympics in Chicago (since we just had the 2002 Winter Games and South America has never held one), its astonishing to see how giddy the conservatives are that the Windy City was the first one voted out.
Whatever happened to that slogan from the McCain campaign; Country First? Click to continue reading...

The Brazilian legend is trying everything he can to get Rio the 2016 Olympics.
How greedy can they be down there right? The 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics?
Pele also had a slip o' the tongue and said 'Michael Jackson' when he meant to say 'Michael Jordan'.
Ouch. Click to continue reading...

Ok folks, I know Soccer is a gentlemen's game, but I really need you to follow my logic here.

Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor was charged with improper conduct after celebrating a goal during a defeat of his old club Arsenal last week. I know, I know, taunting and excessive celebration are a problem in sports, but I'm not understanding this at all.

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Here's Pele with Brazilian President Lula at the opening ceremony of the 121st IOC session and XIII Olympic Congress in the Opera house in Copenhagen on Thursday. Note that Lula is clearly wary of the easily excitable Pele. He tries not to look at him as the legendary footballer eyes him up while going in for a handshake with another man.

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Be warned, Mr Rant Is back in Town

Arsenal Striker Eduardo: Heading for the Olympics?

If he's not, he damn well should be.

I despise people who dive in matches, so much so that I'd happily shout abuse at one of my own team who decided to take a tumble, and have before resorted to shouting 'Get up you nonce' at them down the pub.

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Lucas Leiva is a bit of an enigma really. He was brought to the club as "the best young Brazilian around" for a fee of £6m, which is quite a lot of money. He played a few times for the reserves, and did OK. He has always been on the fringes of the first team, much to most fans annoyance. His performances for The Reds up to February last season were not of Liverpool quality, and the fans had got on his back. Click to continue reading...

Benfica have handed Argentina star Angel di Maria a gold-plated contract in a bid to see off interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The winger is about to sign a one-year extension on his contract that will see his buy-out clause raised from £27million to a prohibitive £45m. Click to continue reading...

The US Team's next test will be October 10th against Honduras. Â With only one win to go before clinching a World Cup berth I think we need to start looking ahead. Â I mean, at this point the US is nearly assured of attending World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

All the time we say about Professional American sports: Â Don't fix it if it ain't broken.

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ESPN's SportsNation has spoken in regards to what the average american sports fan thinks about soccer, and it certainly seems like this past summer has increased the interest level of our game-
Which is more likely in the next 10 years?
Cubs win the World Series - 40%
Danica wins the Indy 500 - 37%
U. Click to continue reading...

Sergio Aguero celebrates Argentina's 3-0 rout of Brazil at the Beijing Olympics

There are matches being played all over the world. Then there is the Brazil vs Argentina encounter.

Diego Maradona on the day before the match praised the thousands of fans who had shown up at the Ros Tower Hotel.

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Hello and welcome to the all NEW Longpier.com.
If you're visiting for the first time or are a regular viewer of this website, thanks for stopping by.
Longpier.com is for people living in, working in and visiting Southend on Sea and surrounding areas. It's such a culturally diverse area, with people from all walks of life. Click to continue reading...

From the pages of Clarin

1959 Copa America Argentina defeats Brasil 3-0 and wins the Copa America. The great Enrique Sivori celebrates with several Peruvian kids.

1964 Nation's Cup Argentina defeats Brasil 3-0 and wins the Nation's Cup which was held in Brasil.

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As the excitement continues to build across the world for the 2012 Olympics in London there is increasing speculation in the English sporting press regarding the olympic soccer tournament set to be held at Wembley stadium. My English Football Banter Blog earlier revealed how the Great British Team would be entering their first team for many years (although it is set to comprise of only English players) and there has been more recent speculation amongst the football hacks as to who will manage the British young guns at the London Games. Click to continue reading...

Now I am never one to blow my own trumpet but I wrote the following blog BEFORE Roy Hodgson was touted as the Great Britain manager at the Olympics and was seen as a future England manager.
As ever PMP is on the pulse of the footballing world.
Either that or I just got lucky... Click to continue reading...

Oh the joy of the British press.

"I like that [focus on the diving problem], I believe that is a quality in this country. In some countries it is a quality to dive. I'm still more proud to be part of England where they fight against it.

"But there are other points that are for me more urgent.

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According to today's Globe and Mail, The future of Vancouver's Major League Soccer franchise could be in jeopardy if the financially strapped provincial government bails on a retractable roof project for B.C. Place Stadium.

The provincially owned and operated stadium is the future domicile of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and is slated to undergo a $365-million renovation in phases before and after the 2010 Olympics.

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Aloisio, a striker for Brazilian second division club Vasco da Gama, was making his debut as a starter on Tuesday when he nearly died as a result of chewing gum while playing. Seriously. And no, the Brazilian second division isn't a part of the Special Olympics.

Aloisio went up to challenge for a high ball, but instead butted heads with the opposing player in front of him while the ball went over both of them.

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We've been talking long and hard about Portland's troubles with their stadium but now it looks like Vancouver could be joining the mix? While both cities were awarded expansion bids it went with certain stadium situations that the league agreed on. Now Portland seems to have taken care of their issues but now Vancouver could be headed down a tough road of stadium fun.

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