If there was any consolation, this was the first time this season we had really deserved to lose: both the defeats to United and City were particularly galling because we were the better team.
Credit Sunderland. While their performance wasn't out of this world, they did what they had to do. Click to continue reading...

Luciano Emilio and DC United have a lot of question marks. (Getty Images)

The 2009 expansion draft is only a week and a half away here. Today we move forward in our look at each club's potential protection lists with DC United. The Black-and-Red are still without a head coach so don't be shocked if somethings here could change depending on who takes over this club.

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Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena has hailed Alberto Aquilani as a "complete midfielder", and believes that the former Roma player can forge a strong partnership with Steven Gerrard.
The 25-year-old made his Premier League debut as a substitute during the club's 2-2 draw against Birmingham City at Anfield, though he was said to be in contention for a spot in the starting line-up. Click to continue reading...

Bad news. Our list of the fallen is now about as long as Peter Crouch's leg. The BBC so kindly tells us that we're missing Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, David James, Theo Walcott, Emile Heskey, David Beckham, Aaron Lennon, Carlton Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Glen Johnson.

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United have once again been linked with January moves for Valencia's star men, David Villa and David Silva. The future of both Spanish Internationals was the focus of much media attention over the summer with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool keeping tabs on the situation to name but a few.

Valencia managed to hold on to their prized assets in the summer but as their financial troubles show no sign of letting up, it looks increasingly likely they will lose one if not both in the winter.

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OMG I am part of the 60,943,912 block of humanity that owns 43.5% of Glasgow Rangers and nobody told me.
Disinvest me.
I don't wish to own any part of a stock that I would rather make a strategic short selling position upon.
This is a distressed stock.
All the playing staff are on the transfer list and it is rumoured that failed property developer, Sir Murray, was ousted from his eyrie by bankers. Click to continue reading...

Fabio Aurelio believes the team and not Rafa Benitez should take the slack for Liverpool's worst run in 22 years.
The Reds are in the midst of a crisis following Tuesday's home defeat by Lyon in the UEFA Champions League which condemned them to their fourth successive defeat in all competitions. Click to continue reading...

1966 was a great year, or so I'm told by those of an age able to remember it.

It has been a long time since England lifted the highest honour in International football, too long in fact, and many have been brave enough to predict South Africa will be the location for the Three Lions to finally end the years of hurt for the England faithful.

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Big Story
Right now, Chelsea are hosting the Leaders in Football conference, billed as "the world's most exclusive football business event where 1,000 senior executives linked to International Clubs, Leagues, Federations and Brands come together over 3 nights and 2 days at Chelsea FC to learn, network and do business.

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Battling midfielder set to land Bundesliga contract.

Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah could finally be signing for a new club in the form of Schalke, according to reports.

The 28-year-old central midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Fenerbahce last year having endured a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

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                                                                         Photo by ISIphotos.com

With the roster now selected, it is time to consider the options U.S. head coach Bob Bradley has when selecting his starting lineup in next weekend's World Cup qualifier vs.

Click to continue reading...

                                                                         Photo by ISIphotos.com

With the roster now selected, it is time to consider the options U.S. head coach Bob Bradley has when selecting his starting lineup in next weekend's World Cup qualifier vs.

Click to continue reading...

- The cutting-edge QPR Report Messageboard: Visit - even post on - the combination quasi-blog and messageboard for additional up-to-the-minute news about QPR, combined with QPR nostalgia and occasionally, general football items. Links to items on other QPR boards, always welcome!.....QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER! Click to continue reading...

Rafa Benitez says his side are playing the same system as last season but are scoring more goals.
Liverpool have seen plenty of goals go in at either end of the field as they have racked up 15 Premier League goals and conceded nine in just six games.
Benitez's side have battled to two 3-2 away wins against Bolton and West Ham respectively, sparking criticism of their defensive abilities. Click to continue reading...

have it.

We won the match quite convincingly; and whilst there can be question marks drawn up as to the quality of an opposition that gifted the game to us through lack of defensive pressure. Was a little bit like watching us play against the 'spurs of old' at times. But anyway; particular headlines of note:

Peter Crouch is awesome.

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Having had the great honor to serve as a color commentator for Miami FC's local broadcasts this season (both on USL Live and local cable), I have seen every USL-1 team in person and broken them down. Here is my analysis of the first round of the playoffs.

#2 Carolina RailHawks (16-7-7, 55 pts) vs #7 Vancouver Whitecaps (11-10-9, 42 pts)

Carolina is just too deep for Vancouver, the defending champions who struggled much of this season.

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Who: Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers
What: The Carling Cup
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
When: Wednesday, August 23, 2009 (8:00 PM GMT or 3:00 PM EST)
Why: Because United must defend their title in a cup that no one (aside from nerdy bloggers such as myself) appears to really care all that much about.

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They were talking about it at the Burnley game last weekend, despite a four-goal win. They were asking Dirk Kuyt about it after the Dutchman had made himself the third-highest European Cup goalscorer in Liverpool's history midweek. Rafa Benitez fielded numerous questions about it yesterday at his press conference, and a few more pre-match. Click to continue reading...

Fair enough, it isn't the biggest Manchester derby ever but it is certainly one of the most important for years, perhaps even decades. For the first time in a very long time City see themselves as genuine contenders to take the title from United and after a summer of unprecedented spending they should go into this tie full of confidence.

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Sir Alex looks for a long term goalkeeper solution.

Manchester United are keen on Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar.

According to Sportal.it, the Red Devils have laid eyes on the Uruguayan shot-stopper. Muslera joined the Biancocelesti in 2007, and after a poor start last term, the goalkeeper has improved, attracting plenty of interest in the process.

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Anfield keeper hits the nail on the head, repeatedly.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina feels winning the Premier League title is "not a realistic objective" for his side this season.
The Reds finished second last term but their hopes of a first league title since 1989/90 have been hit by two defeats in their opening four games.

Click to continue reading...

Graham Poll has labelled Fernando Torres a diver after an alleged incident against Bolton last weekend. Is he right or wrong?
In his interview, Poll stated:
"There are question marks over the way that Liverpool's Fernando Torres went to ground after a tackle from Zat Knight when Liverpool were trailing 1-0 to Bolton. Click to continue reading...

Having witnessed England scrape past a very mediocre Slovenia side on Saturday, I couldn't help but ponder England's trials and tribulations over the past few years. They're a team who continue to be surrounded by question marks, and I can't see that changing in the near future, no matter how hard Capello works. Click to continue reading...

Yes Fire fans, Mr. ESPN is leaving the Fire in the January transfer window. So for those of you who hate soap operas, I'm sorry. As the Chicago Fire World Turns will continue on and I'm sure that the drama will be top notch.

As my colleague Matthew, has punctually stated in his recent article "I Wish I Had A Crystal Ball," the Fire are on the verge of a possible exodus of players with the question marks and explanation points surrounding the exits and of Blanco, McBride, Rolfe, Pappa, Soumare, Prideaux, Segares, Conde and even Dennis Hamlett.

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We're somewhat bereft of strikers at the moment with Ameobi definitely out due to a foot injury and question marks over the fitness of both Carroll and Xisco. The Mirror is reporting that Hughton has asked Everton if he can have James Vaughan on loan to plug the gaps. Vaughan is Everton's youngest ever goalscorer but has [. Click to continue reading...

Christian Purslow feels Liverpool have been handed a favourable draw in the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds' managing director was in Monaco on Thursday to see the Merseysiders paired alongside Lyon, Fiorentina and Debrecen.
With little travelling involved in away trips for any of the sides in Group E, Purslow admits he could not have hoped for much more. Click to continue reading...

A player well worth splashing the cash on.

MANCHESTER UNITED will launch a deadline-busting bid to sign Arjen Robben from Real Madrid.
United have been quoted £26million but the Red Devils plan to force the price down this weekend.

Old Trafford chiefs will begin the process with a bid of around £11m but an offer of £15m may be enough to bag the winger.

Click to continue reading...

Well, the Galácticos 2.0 era is underway.
Real Madrid were able to overshadow the treble-winning rivals off the pitch by spending unheard of amounts of money. Just to give some perspective, the money that they spent on Kaká, Ronaldo, Benzema, Albiol and the rest of their transactions was the equivalent of the payroll of the New York Yankees. Click to continue reading...

As a deal is about to be struck for the transfer of Joleon Lescott to Manchester City, the background to this transfer makes one reflect on the motives of the modern day footballer. Last season Everton finished fifth while City finished tenth. City are certainly a better team this season but is there really that much difference between the sides to support Lescott for wanting to leave Everton for footballing reasons?

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Birmingham City are the latest Premier League club to be lined up for foreign ownership. As Mark Murphy reports, the new potential new owner has already had a go at buying the club, but fans are split on whether his involvement and there are question marks over his financial credentials.

Birmingham City chairman David Gold isn't easy to like.

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Another Spanish power making noise this time:

• Jozy is dealing with work permit issues.
  
• Ribery staying with Bayern.
  
• Barca rules out Cesc move.
  
• Barca and Eboue?
  
• Barca and Vidic?
  
• Fernando Torres signs extension.
  
• Chelsea and Aguero?

Click to continue reading...

(All Times - UK)

Monday 17th August
9:45 Dundee Utd v Hearts, Scottish Premier League, ESPN
Only Hamilton failed to score in the opening round of the SPL season. While the old firm tend to operate in a league of their own, the rest of the league is set to be pretty finely balanced this season. Click to continue reading...

Fulham's Brede Hangeland is a towering defender but there are question marks about his pace, something he answered with his intelligent positioning.
______________________________________________________________________________

FK Vetra were never going to be the most demanding of oppositions for Fulham and therefore probably not the most appropriate opponent whereby to do a scouting report of defender Brede Hangeland.

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Every year it is the same. There will be a club that will drop the Gunners down from the top four. Two years ago, it was Spurs. Last year it was Villa. This year it is City. Each and every year, the club has proved them wrong. For a lefty publication, The Guardian really digs high flying big spenders.

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