It's January, as you might've noticed; and if you hadn't I would suggest those New Year's resolutions about not drinking anything that really ought to be kept on a shelf in the shed aren't going all that well. For the rest of you, you know the score. It's the beginning of the year and that can mean only one thing: the always-good-for-a-laugh-don't-believe-everything-you hear-better-off-not-opening-any-tabloid-newspapers-or-football-websites-for-a-month-pick-any-name-out-of-a-hat.

January, the start of a new year, is often seen as a month of hope. Resolutions made as the previous year came to an end are still fresh in the mind as is the belief that they will be maintained. That similar resolutions were made (but not kept) before doesn't matter. This time round will be different, this time round I will make it.

With the New Year come and gone, it's time to start looking forward to the 2012 season. Soon the training camp will open and all of the Timbers players will once again resume training ahead of the 2012 season. More than that, though, there are still more than a few open positions available on the Timbers roster so it will be interesting to see who comes in and who goes (if anybody).

We all talk about New Year's resolutions. You know what I say about them: view ‘em as "guidelines" more than "rules" and you'll live a far more guilt-free year. So that's that.

But I'd like to start out 2012 with another kind of "resolution." As in, I'd love to see some quick resolutions to vexing issues in the domestic game.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

Is Freddy Adu already thinking about returning to Europe?

A report from SI titled "Adu to train with Spanish club with eye on move" says Rayo Vallecano sporting director Felipe Minambres told The Associated Press on Thursday, "This is the first step, that he comes and trains and gets to know us and the club, and we get to know him.

I am still monitoring two situations for possible resolutions that beat the buzzer. Yes, the transfer window is officially closed, but there are always a pack of straggler deals that do not get announced right away. If I hear something, you'll know very soon after. - Greg Seltzer

I added a new wallpaper called The Pitch. I started with a simple picture from the stands of a game in progress. After removing all the players and adding some splashes of color and the Arsenal crest, I think I ended up with a beautiful minimalist wallpaper that will satisfy the heart of any gooner.

Most people make serious New Year's Resolutions. The usually fall into the eat less, excercise more, stop smoking, spend more time with family, read more, smile more, type of categories.
We didn't want to hear those from the U.S. WNT players, so we asked a few some more amusing resolutions.

Rachna and Shana host a very special "New Year's Insanity Special" of the podcast, where they discuss their very biased overview of the upcoming MLS Superdraft. The girls also discuss the future of the USMNT backline in a not-so-serious fashion, and make some interesting New Year's resolutions. There's also a reading of select passages from John Harkes' autobiography, Captain for Life, just to cap off this very special episode.

Yipee ! To start with this first post of 2011 let me wish you all a brilliant, fun, prosperous, healthy, sparkling and footballistic new year. Champagne!

(Just make sure to spare a bottle in the fridge to celebrate when we win our 8th championship title at the end of the season). Ahum.

So, while most of us try to fight the weight put on during the winter holidays and add to our list of resolutions for the new year (or the other way round), what are the players doing?

If I could read the minds of players, this could (or should) be some of their new year's resolutions:

Ando: I resolve to keep playing like a raging bull in the middle of the field and stay after practice to work on my shooting and finishing in the box.

Berba: I resolve to stay positive even when if I get dropped to the bench after scoring a million goals in one game.

*boilk*

As traditional as Auld Lang Syne is the new year's day hangover. I must apologise to you all for the worldwide rum shortage. Me and Mrs Blogs drank it all last night. I tried to ring Tom at about 3am with a brilliant idea I had for the site but sensibly his phone was off.