It looks like members of the Sporting KC Juniors system will have some big decisions to make this coming fall. The rumor making the run around the internet today is that the US Soccer Developmental Academy will be making changes to the season, making it longer. The announcement sounds like it could even come tomorrow.

Looks like we have some catching up to do. The Seattle Sounders have sold about 14,000 tickets for the March 7 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against Santos Laguna. With a month left before the game, that's a perfectly respectable total, but it's also about 25,000 fewer than Toronto FC has sold for their quarterfinal against the LA Galaxy the same day.

Some of you might argue the classification of this as a "dirty tackle" since the kid in yellow and green leaps over the attempt at a leg sweep like a grasshopper. But! Even more painful than that tackle would've been had it connected is the ensuing, body-contorting whiff from the grasshopper kid.

Both immovable object and unstoppable force, allowing nothing to knock him off course in pursuit of the ball no matter the cost and never conceding the battle as lost. Over ninety minutes or nine hard years, through promotion joy and play-off tears, no one gave more than this fellow fan, the local boy we watched grow to a man.

A week is a long time in football. Seven days ago we were preparing for a league game against Manchester United, a game from which we hoped to get points, primarily, and restore some confidence after a couple of miserable results previously. Clearly that worked out well.

We've spent the last week poring over that game, the incidents, the manager's decision making and everything else.

Kenny Dalglish paid tribute to a 'fantastic performance' from Liverpool after watching his side book their place in the Carling Cup final.
The Reds held a 1-0 lead going into the second leg of their semi-final at Anfield but still displayed a positive attitude to finish the job and set up a Wembley showpiece against Cardiff.

Red Nev leads rugby revolution Former Manchester United and England right-back Gary Neville is to give a speech to England's rugby players on the pride of playing for your country. Neville widely reported to have led a proposed strike by England players over Rio Ferdinand's drugs ban has been asked to talk about [.

The US Women's National Team demolished their first two opponents in their quest to London. First up was a CONCACAF minnow who fell prey to the USWNT's elite squad in less than ten minutes. The Dominican Republic fell by the embarrassing score of 14-0.
Some raised questions of a mercy rule while others criticized the Americans for punishing such a weak squad into a pulp.

The Frank Lampard Appreciation Society offers another unique, unadulterated glimpse into the voyage of life of one tragic Monseur Lampeur.

DECEMBER 6, 2011

It's funny how the clothes we wear reflect who we are, and I don't mean those t-shirts that the mentally handicapped wear and include the person's name, number, and address.

The whole week has been building up to this: the double-header featuring Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur followed by Arsenal and Manchester United. So much is on the line. Not just three points, but also pride and bragging rights. It's...
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Geoff Cameron has been a standout for the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer, and has not only lead the Dynamo into the MLS Cup this past season, but also received a recent call-up to the US National team.
His play is worthy of national team consideration, but it's his presence and positive attitude that have been key components in his success.

This must be the millionth time I've said this, but I can't say it enough, because this team keeps on giving me reason to. I am so fucking proud of them. I love them so fucking much. This team is just something else. Such pride, such heart, it's unmatchable. After the last Clasico, where we beat them 3-1, I was talking to a fellow Culita about how Barca play these games and win them with their hearts.

This must be the millionth time I've said this, but I can't say it enough, because this team keeps on giving me reason to. I am so fucking proud of them. I love them so fucking much. This team is just something else. Such pride, such heart, it's unmatchable. After the last Clasico, where we beat them 3-1, I was talking to a fellow Culita about how Barca play these games and win them with their hearts.

It's that time of the year again when local pride is at stake in the numerous state championships which are prevalent in the opening months of the Brazilian football calendar. From Amapá in the far north to Rio Grande do Sul in the south, from Acre in the west to Paraíba in the far east of the country, twenty seven regions of Brazil will be involved in their own local championship, mixing the big boys with the smaller village teams, with each club hoping to win their respective title and qualify for a place in next year's edition of the national cup, Copa Brazil.

Millionaire benchwarmer Michael Owen is shamelessly begging for free hair products on Twitter. The Manchester United star revealed he had been sent some freebies of the range and enjoyed them so much that he now wants to be sent more for free. Rather than splashing out some loose change on his new favourite product, Owen [.

Eclipse Select Communications
CHICAGO -- Eclipse Select Soccer Club alumna and former Notre Dame midfielder Jen Buczkowski (Elk Grove Village, Ill./Elk Grove) re-signed with Women's Professional Soccer's Philadelphia Independence, the team announced Friday. Buczkowski was named to the 2011 WPS Best XI and was named the team's 2011 Ironwoman after logging every minute of the 18-game regular season last year.

They've been pretty battered in the last couple of weeks, so it's no wonder that Man United brought their A Game and fans to the City of Light last night. Unfortunately, any game between City and United has been classified as 'Category C' which is the "highest security grade" by British police who put riot police on standby in the event of trouble.

QPR have sacked manager Neil Warnock and his backroom staff have also left the club. Malaysian owner Tony Fernandes released this statement:
"This decision has been made in the best interests of the Club and I can assure everyone that this is not a decision that was made lightly."

"Sadly, our recent run of poor form has seen us slip alarmingly down the table and the Board felt it was the right time to make a change.

Unwatchable college Bowl games are a problem that can only be solved with a tournament that includes them. A plus-one game doesn't address the deep-rooted situation that no one seems to be talking about.

Peter Nowak spoke to the press today, only hours after the Union announced Costa Rican left back Porfirio Lopez as the team's fifth offseason signing.

"Porfirio [Lopez] has a great capacity going back and forth and taking pride at defending, and that's a part we take a look at very closely," Nowak said.

Barnes pride at new LFC role

Kop legend John Barnes has spoken of his pride after taking over the presidency of Liverpool's Disabled Supporters Association.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-20 18:03:38 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

You've got to feel for Andy Rhodes. Most fathers, having just witnessed their son score four times to single-handedly salvage a point from a pulsating and fiercely contested derby match in front of more than 28,000 spectators, would be bursting to the seams with pride. But not Andy, who, as Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeping coach, had just seen his charge Stephen Bywater beaten four times, his

You've got to feel for Andy Rhodes. Most fathers, having just witnessed their son score four times to single-handedly salvage a point from a pulsating and fiercely contested derby match in front of more than 28,000 spectators, would be bursting at the seams with pride. But not Andy, who, as Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeping coach, had just seen his charge Stephen Bywater beaten four times, his own flesh and blood Jordan wresting two points from the Owls' grasp seven minutes into stoppage time.

[Y]ou've got to feel for Andy Rhodes. Most fathers, having just witnessed their son score four times to single-handedly salvage a point from a pulsating and fiercely contested derby match in front of more than 28,000 spectators, would be bursting at the seams with pride. But not Andy, who, as Sheffield Wednesday's goalkeeping coach, had just seen his charge Stephen Bywater beaten four times, his own flesh and blood Jordan wresting two points from the Owls' grasp seven minutes into stoppage time.

Love Follow Conquer – LFC jackets up for grabs

BACK in more simple times the only writing to be found on a Liverpool shirt was the letters under the Liverbird. "L.F.C." No space was given over to Hitachi, Crown Paints or Candy. There was no room for the name of the kit manufacturer, just a small logo – at most.

Barton's pride at Kop reception

Joey Barton has paid tribute to the Kop after he received a rapturous ovation during Saturday's 1-0 success over QPR.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-11 14:35:28 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool ace Lucas Leiva says fans' support has made him feel stronger after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Tuesday's 2-0 Carling Cup win at Chelsea.
The Brazil international had to be stretchered off in the 70th minute at Stamford Bridge after sustaining the injury in a collision with Chelsea star Juan Mata.

Suarez in seventh heaven

Liverpool's Luis Suarez has voiced his 'huge pride' at emulating former club legends by wearing the number seven jersey at Anfield.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-12-02 12:22:37 from: Sky Sports

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Following United's League Cup exit at the hands of Crystal Palace, Sir Alex Ferguson has apologised to the fans.

Despite the winning goal being scored from an offside position, the fans would have expected more from the players who started, even though they weren't the first XI.

"I'm so disappointed," said Ferguson.

Morning all.

We'll turn our attentions to the Champions League shortly with a huge game against Borussia Dortmund to come tomorrow but first, if you haven't seen it already, you can find the full transcript of Arsene Wenger's L'Equipe interview over on Arseblog News. It provides some context to the selected quotes which first appeared and is a fantastic read overall.

Morning all.

We'll turn our attentions to the Champions League shortly with a huge game against Borrussia Dortmund to come tomorrow but first, if you haven't seen it already, you can find the full transcript of Arsene Wenger's L'Equipe interview over on Arseblog News. It provides some context to the selected quotes which first appeared and is a fantastic read overall.

By Alan Duffy

Spain are in meltdown! Del Bosque out! Well, not really. Although you wouldn't put that kind of reaction past the UK tabloids if it were England.

The world champions found themselves two goals down in their friendly in Costa Rica, with Arsenal striker Joel Campbell, currently on loan in France, netting a superb second.

Lampard: It gives me 'huge pride' to wear the poppy

'We should never forget' those who fought and died for our freedoms says England skipper

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-11-11 21:30:46 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Why England should ignore FIFA and wear poppies on their shirts with pride

On Wednesday, the world's most patronising man – who unfortunately just happens to be this nation's Prime Minister – stood up in the House of Commons and criticised FIFA for not allowing England players to wear shirts that featured upon them images of a poppy.

England promise to wear poppies with pride and John Terry has support of squad

England players promised to honour the nation's war heroes when they wear the poppy at Wembley tomorrow and hope it will inspire them to victory against world champions Spain.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-11-11 07:56:17 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

[caption id="attachment_4534" align="alignleft" width="503" caption="The best looking footballer of all time, and he was Polish."][/caption]

So, Here we go again, it's that time when our boys in blue embark on a journey to a far foreign land to play their reserves against a mid-level country, and ultimately lose.

Enough with the doom and gloom, it's time for the news and notes. See what I did there? Yeah, I know, sorry. Plus one of the items we've got for today involves "Steven Gerrard," "injuries," and "English national team." Which doesn't bode well for moving on from said doom and gloom, but what the hell.

Cue up the Nellie McKay, I'm almost out of here.

I love doing interviews with Seattle writers. They're all so naive and when they think they're asking hard questions, they're lobbing softballs. So you know, it's all good in the land of My Little Pony Sing Along Blogs. Anyway, I talked to Joshua Mayers and a bunch of other jackals yesterday, hopefully for the last time in a while so I can forget about what transpired this year.

Jack Wilshere 'to stay with Arsenal forever' and FA keep fighting for poppies at Wembley

The FA are refusing to give up their fight with FIFA to let England's footballers wear their poppies with pride at Wembley on Saturday. Also, Jack Wilshere has made an astonishing promise to stay with Arsenal for the rest of his career.

FA keep fighting for poppies at Wembley: What the back pages say

The FA are refusing to give up their fight with FIFA to let England's footballers wear their poppies with pride at Wembley on Saturday. Also, Jack Wilshere has made an astonishing promise to stay with Arsenal for the rest of his career.