Briefly:

*In praise of Galaxy GM and Coach Bruce Arena.

*For Real Salt Lake MLS Cup equals redemption.

* Former Chivas USA Coach Preki was officially unveiled as Toronto's new coach today. Wonder how much longer Amado Guevara will be around?

*Want to party like it's 1989?

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         Apart from John O'shea, combs , certain other articles which are used  to scratch your back but generally aren't meant to be used that way and Carlton Palmer  there are only very few things that can be termed as multipurpose. One of them is the word "Hello". You receive a call you say "Hello" as a greeting.

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In partnership with Russian Football Now, EPL Talk presents the twelfth episode of RNF's podcast.

Russian football may have gotten off to a shaky start in the 2009-10 Champions League, but the last two weeks have seen a measure of redemption. On Tuesday, CSKA Moskva came within minutes of a historic win at Old Trafford, while Rubin continued to their improved form by taking a fourth point in two matches from Barcelona.

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Thursday night's draw in Seattle sets up Houston for redemption in the opening round of Major League Soccer's playoffs. Last season and facing the same scenario against New York, the Dynamo lost 3-0 at home. A physical game at Qwest Field takes the series to Robertson Stadium with both teams able to point to things that worked. Click to continue reading...

Good Afternoon everyone!

Sorry, for not being able to blog earlier, but I've had one of those maddeningly busy days where time's just flown by. Today's also the last day that I post as my good mate The Goon shall be back tomorrow to carry on running the fine blog as he has been doing so since over a year.

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This weekend, the Wizards welcome FC Dallas to Kansas City in what is a must win for both teams if they want to make the playoffs this year. Both teams can only barely see the playoffs and getting 3 points tomorrow night out at CAB will be big for either team. Dallas comes into this game having put another half a dozen on the board, this time out in LA against the Galaxy. Click to continue reading...

Colombia did Argentina a good turn yesterday with their 2-0 win over Ecuador which meant that they still retained fourth spot even as they crashed to defeat against Brazil at the Grand Arroyito.

This maybe the way to go to SA, with a little help from other teams. Because the public seems to be quietly giving up on the team as over 65% of them in a survey believe that they will not make it to the World Cup.

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Sad to see the passing of a legend.
Here's to Sir Bobby Robson.
Now the links:

• Alan Shearer not returning to Newcastle. [Goal.com]
  
• Should players Twitter? [EPL Talk]
  
• Santos signs Marta for WPS offseason. [USA Today]
  
• More Montreal expansion talk.

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It's all on the line for at a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup and the millions of dollars from FIFA for just qualifying for it. It is the highest tournament that an MLS club can participate in.
Here's the bracket:
Competition page here.
And here's what you might want to read. Click to continue reading...

United takes a short break from League play this evening as it hosts El Salvador's CD LA Firpo at RFK Stadium (8 p.m. ET) in the preliminary round of CONCACAF Champions League. United took part in the tournament's inaugural run last fall, but finished with a disappointing 0-5-1 record in the group stage, crashing out of the tournament before the knockout round.

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The Mexicans finally have a retaliation of sorts to dos a cero.
What a beatdown. What an embarrassment.
Five goals in one half.
Holy crap. The shame.
The entire roster should be ritually sacrificed for allowing such a result.
Redemption comes August 12th. Click to continue reading...

Carlo Ancelotti marked a redemption of sorts as he beat his former team, AC Milan on his debut with Chelsea. This friendly match was a part of the US Tour of the Blues who now move on to Dallas to play Club America. Debutant Yiru Zhikov scored for the London club as they defeated the [...] Click to continue reading...

Yes, David Beckham (perhaps distantly related to the chap above?) is indeed back in MLS for as long as his interest holds. My interest in this whole thing, on the other hand, faded about the time he decided he'd phone in the last few months of the 2008 season before creating more drama (as is his custom) in Milan. Click to continue reading...

Beckham this, and Beckham that!

Tell me you aren't sick of hearing it? Hell, ESPN Radio not only announced Leo Krupnik's signing as an anecdote to defend us from big bad Becks and friends, but they don't even mention the Galaxy by name! It is always "The Red Bulls play Beckham tomorrow .

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Santino Quaranta has had a bumpy last several years. I'll assume all our readers are familiar with his trials and travails so I won't rehash them here. But tonight at his home stadium, Santino Quaranta achieved redemption with his first international goal in his first call up in over three years.

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Last year, Tim tried valiantly to chronicle the downfall, but gave up a week in. He hadn't yet even gotten to this one, but I don't know if any of them hold a candle to this one, Ode To A Koala Bear.

Yes, you read that correctly. Ode To A Koala Bear. Proceed with caution.

What's even scarier is that this piece of crap is the B-side to his hit duet with Michael Jackson, Say Say Say.

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This past weekend saw one of the most exciting and dramatic ends to group action in an international tournament. While Group A was dominated by Spain, Group B was dominated by drama and action.

Spain and South Africa progressed out of Group A, while it's Brazil and the United States of America coming out of Group B.

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After 135 minutes of some of the most uninspiring soccer we've seen from the USA since...well, I guess Costa Rica...the Nats were able to turn things around with a 3-0 victory over Egypt. And just like that, after losing two and accumulating a -5 goal differential, we're out of the group stage.

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Amazing. Unbelievable. Magical. Job-saving. Lucky. So many words could be used to describe the series of events that transpired on Sunday afternoon, as the U.S. Men's National Team did what they had to do (with a lot of help from Brazil) to move on in the 2009 Confederations Cup. The word I would choose to describe the performance? Click to continue reading...

Italian full back Andrea Dossena has seemingly opened the door for a move back to Italy by stating that we would welcome a bid from Serie A giants Juventus.

The 27 year old left sided player enjoyed a troubled first season on Merseyside, struggling at times to adapt to the rigours and pace of English football before partial redemption arrived with cake-icing late strikes in the famous wins over Real Madrid & Manchester United but, according to his agent Roberto La Florio, a bid from the Old Lady of Italian football would be appealing to his client.

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Italian full back Andrea Dossena has seemingly opened the door for a move back to Italy by stating that we would welcome a bid from Serie A giants Juventus.

The 27 year old left sided player enjoyed a troubled first season on Merseyside, struggling at times to adapt to the rigours and pace of English football before partial redemption arrived with cake-icing late strikes in the famous wins over Real Madrid & Manchester United but, according to his agent Roberto La Florio, a bid from the Old Lady of Italian football would be appealing to his client.

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The 2009 Confederations Cup kicked off yesterday in South Africa.
We've seen four games. What have we learned so far?
1 - Spain is very, very good.
As in, VERY good. I may be a bit biased here, as I absolutely adore this team. But how can anyone argue with players like Xavi, David Villa, Fernando Torres and Iker Casillas? Click to continue reading...

Well our gracious host Bruce is off to party it up in Chicago so I (Graham of Advantage Played), am going to give you a little preview of your Saturday footballing action.
AP
First, if you are in the Twin Cities metro area there is the usual watch party over at:
The Sweetwater Grill and Bar
at the Best Western Kelly Inn
161 Saint Anthony Ave
I-94 & Marion
St Paul
(651) 224-6373
If you want to watch with other USA fans check out the list of official soccer pubs. Click to continue reading...

I didn't think I was going to, but I am! I am just supremely excited about this. It's not just the chance to cover the game and see the city. After what happened last year, I am on deck for some redemption, and this is my chance to prove I can go to a Champions League final without falling in love and abandoning my live blog midway through the second half.

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Both sides went into this game knowing it would define their season. Both sides basically had the exact situation. They both performed under expectations this season, and both have managers that don't really look like they will be in charge next season. Also, because of their poor season, both clubs were looking for a backdoor into Europe.

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Rosenborg and Molde are still going strong, but NFN takes time out to salute the efforts of this years promoted teams, who have all been superb so far. Other notable events this weekend include the continuing struggles of Stabæk, Viking possibly turning some kind of corner and renewed calls for Mad Martin to go away.

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This was the summer when everything went crazy. In retrospect, I should have seen it coming. Everything always goes crazy in the offseason after you make the Champions League for the first time. But it had been a while since I was in this situation, and I confess, it caught me by surprise.

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The New York Red Bulls are in San Jose today for tonight's U.S. Open Cup play-in match vs. the Earthquakes (10:30pm). The Red Bulls will be looking to erase the memory of Sunday's awful 3-2 loss to D.C. United, while also looking to improve on their 2008 Open Cup performance, which saw the Red Bulls bounced out by USL-2 side Crystal Palace Baltimore.

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The New York Red Bulls are in San Jose today for tonight's U.S. Open Cup play-in match vs. the Earthquakes (10:30pm). The Red Bulls will be looking to erase the memory of Sunday's awful 3-2 loss to D.C. United, while also looking to improve on their 2008 Open Cup performance, which saw the Red Bulls bounced out by USL-2 side Crystal Palace Baltimore.

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Wednesday marks the first in many rounds of tournament competition for the Red Bulls, as MLS teams vie for placement in the US Open Cup. Eight teams will go head to head in a bracket system, and the final two will officially qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Currently, only Colorado and DC United have advanced to the second phase of this "Play in" tournament.

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Briefing: Agent DaMarcus Beasley (aka "the Beas Knees") is a wicked winger who has participated in MNT missions since 2001 despite the fact he is only 26 years old today. He has incredible speed and fantastic dribbling ability, and his nose for the net has returned after a long layoff due to injury.

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Apologies for the lack of any Fantasy picks for the weekend just gone... to all of you sitting atop of your mini-leagues after following our advice through the season I can only offer my sincerest 'sorry'... fortunate, really, that there isn't anyone in that category. Let us attempt redemption by pointing you the way of the excellent Fantasy Football Scout.

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Apologies for the lack of any Fantasy picks for the weekend just gone... to all of you sitting atop of your mini-leagues after following our advice through the season I can only offer my sincerest 'sorry'... fortunate, really, that there isn't anyone in that category. Let us attempt redemption by pointing you the way of the excellent Fantasy Football Scout.

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This weekend sees Manchester United on the rebound like a hot, dumped teenage girl and Aston Villa looking as desperate as a fat chick without a date for the prom... this match is like redemption and who ever wins will walk away with their head held high... all be it for different matters entirely. Click to continue reading...

OK, I never got around to devoting individual posts to my favorite albums of 2008 like I said I would. My friend Aaron had the right idea. His annual Best Of a given year wouldn't come out until a year later. This was he could catch up with albums he missed and also see if some of them don't stand up to repeated listenings.

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