It's been 17 years since Rene Higuita executed his audacious scorpion kick to block a weak shot from Jamie Redknapp in a friendly between England and Colombia at Wembley. Since then, it's become one of the most iconic in the sport's history and has been attempted by goalkeepers and attackers alike, some more successful than others.

The Philadelphia Union completed the long-rumored signing of Colombian forward Lionard Pajoy from Itagui Ditaires on Wednesday, adding a piece that can help fill the scoring void left behind by the departed Sebastien Le Toux. Pajoy has received his P-1 visa, according to a team release, and will be joining the club soon for preseason preparations.

Following Paul Scholes' return from retirement and Manchester United's issues settling in a new number one goalkeeper, Edwin Van der Sar has revealed people have been asking whether he has any plans on doing the same.

"I got a few text messages from friends saying, 'What about you?'," Van der Sar said.

When retirement approaches, many footballers begin their plans slightly prematurely. A significant number believe their natural progression is to begin a coaching career with one eye on management. Others view life in punditry and the media as their...
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Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has acknowledged that Manchester City's continued hold on the Premier League's top spot is impressive but warned the Citizens that "funny things can happen" between now and the end of the season.

Scholes, 37, came out of retirement earlier this month and has since played a part in each of United's three victories, the latest being a substitute appearance in the 2-1 win away to Arsenal yesterday.

Veljko Paunovic released an open letter to Philadelphia Union fans through Twitter. The Brotherly Game asked the now retired player if the letter could be republished here, upon the site. With Paunovic's blessing, here's the full text of his letter:

I want to thank the great Union family for welcoming me from the very first day that I came here.

At the end of the 2011 MLS season, one of Major League Soccer's veterans retired. After 14 years in the league, Andy Williams chose to hang up his boots and pick up a clipboard as he joined the RealSaltLake technical staff. After winning an MLS Cup, representing his national team and building a life in Utah, the Jamaican is able to look back on his career with pride.

At the end of the 2011 MLS season, one of Major League Soccer's veterans retired. After 14 years in the league, Andy Williams chose to hang up his boots and pick up a clipboard as he joined the RealSaltLake technical staff. After winning an MLS Cup, representing his national team and building a life in Utah, the Jamaican is able to look back on his career with pride.

The Philadelphia Union's Veljko Paunovic has decided to announce his retirement from professional soccer for the second time, according to the team. His beginning in Philadelphia wasn't a celebrated one, but by the end of his time in the city, he was appreciated.

"It is with great sadness that I announce my retirement from soccer due to family reasons but I will never forget the Union fans and the atmosphere at PPL Park every game," Paunvoci said to PhiladelphiaUnion.

Photo: Nate Monahan

The Philadelphia Union announced today that 34-year-old Serbian striker Veljko Paunovic has called an end to his 16 year professional career.

In the press release from the Union announcing his retirement, Paunovic praised both the Union fans and the Union organization.

In the last month, Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry have made goalscoring returns for Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, and clearly inspired by their exploits, 40-year old former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has made the bold claim that he is fit enough to come out retirement and do the business at the highest level.

Jamie Carragher is flattered by talk of a role at LFC after retirement - but insists extending his playing career for as long as possible is his top priority right now.
Fellow Scouser Steven Gerrard signed a new deal at the club last week which will see him adopt an ambassadorial role once his playing days are over.

Jamie Carragher is flattered by talk of a role at LFC after retirement - but insists extending his playing career for as long as possible is his top priority right now.
Fellow Scouser Steven Gerrard signed a new deal at the club last week which will see him adopt an ambassadorial role once his playing days are over.

Michael Carrick has sung the praises of team mate Paul Scholes who played his first game in front of our home grown since returning from retirement.

Scholes scored a big goal for United, putting us 1-0 up just before half-time, although Carrick believes our legendary midfielder has as much to offer away from the pitch as well as on it.

Paul Scholes put's Manchester United 1-0 up against Bolton less than a week after the 37 year old came out of retirement.

He does score goals szólj hozzá: c,o1-0F[][Matchhighlight.com] Paul Scholes made a dramatic goal-scoring comeback for Manchester United in his first Premier League start since coming out of retirement. The Scholes of old had a habit of arriving in the penalty area at just the right time. These days he's happy to hang around at the [.

Unlikely transfer for Brazil great As retirement homes for formerly great footballers go, Angola is probably a new one. But having already attempted the ex-Soviet state and return to South America routes, Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo is blazing a new trail. He's signed for Angolan side Kabuscorp.

Amid all the controversy that, at least for the blue half of Manchester, surrounded Sunday's FA Cup fixture, one might be forgiven for almost forgetting something that transcended the meanings of those 90 minutes – Paul Scholes is back. Following his retirement in May, the United legend announced his comeback to help the club in [.

In his eleven seasons playing in MLS, Eddie Robinson has only played for one team. In 2001, Robinson signed on with the San Jose Earthquakes and he stayed with the team when it moved to Houston in 2006 and was rechristened as the Houston Dynamo. During his tenure, Robinson became a fan favorite for his rough, no nonsense style of defense, despite the fact that he was prone to injury and being carded.

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 10, 2012) US Soccer Players -- Whatever happens on Thursday at Major League Soccer's SuperDraft (12pm ET - ESPN2), Montreal has already made the biggest player move. That happened in the expansion draft, when they opted against taking a player's wishes into account and used a pick on then-Houston forward Brian Ching.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes made a shock return to Manchester United's midfield eight months after his retirement in yesterday's FA Cup clash with Manchester City. OTP decided to run the rule over Scholes' second debut with the aid of the Performa Sports iPad sports analysis app. So here's a statistical look at Scholes' influence [.

Paul Scholes made an incredible return to the Manchester United team today after retiring last summer. Despite not playing football for eight months, Scholes was brought on for the last half an hour against City in the FA Cup 3rd round game today.

Incredibly, he made more passes than any City player did all game, with a 97% completion rate.

I was surprised when I read in the morning about Scholes coming out of his retirement and rejoining United as a player. That made me wonder whether Scholes is the new Henrik Larsson that Sir Alex is trying to create to see-off an injury crisis at Old Trafford. If you remember, Sir Alex signed Henrik Larsson on loan from January - March in 2007.

Paul Scholes is back to Utd

Man Utd is making Rob Smyth eat his words. Wayne Rooney has scored two including a penalty and Danny Welbeck's wondrous volley rounds of the tally.

Vincent Kompany was sent off in the 12th minute for a two footed tackle on Nani which got the ball but not the man however Chris Foy, who else (memories of the Spurs vs Stoke match linger on) thought differently.

Paul Scholes has come out of retirement to rejoin Manchester United until the end of the season, and will be on the bench today for the FA Cup third round match against Manchester City. No, it's not an April fools ...
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Paul Scholes has amazingly come out of retirement and will play for Manchester United until the end of the season it has been announced today.
Rumours has been circulating that Scholes had told some United players that he'd be willing to return to the club after retiring at the end of last season, but he was reluctant to go directly to the United manager.

Paul Scholes: he may score goals again Paul Scholes has made a remarkable return to Manchester United and could make his second debut in today's FA Cup clash against Manchester City. The 36-year-old has answered an SOS from Sir Alex Ferguson and agreed to un-hang his boots for the remainder of the season.

It has today been confirmed, after weeks of rumors, that Paul Scholes has rejoined the playing staff at Manchester United.

"Scholes Comes Out Of Retirement!" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia.

Marcos, goalkeeper of the Brazilian team who won the World Cup 2002, announced his retirement, at age 38. He retires after a career of 20 years, playing only for one team: Palmeiras; the team informed that no other player will wear jacket #12, the one Marcos used to wear; also, there plans of building an statue of Marcos to be planted at the stadium of Palmeiras.

Mail: Demba Ba can leave Newcastle and Paul Scholes could come out of retirement What the papers say

Demba Ba put top clubs on red alert when it emerged he has a £10million release clause in his Newcastle contract, while Paul Scholes is ready to answer an SOS from Sir Alex Ferguson.

There has been plenty of hype surrounding Tom Cleverley over the past year or two which reached a climax this summer once Paul Scholes announced his retirement. Cleverley was tipped by plenty to be the successor to one of the most gifted midfielders this country has ever seen.

Fortunately for the lad, and for the team, Cleverley dealt with the expectation well, and confirmed his place in the starting XI at the start of the season.

There has been plenty of hype surrounding Tom Cleverley over the past year or two which reached a climax this summer once Paul Scholes announced his retirement. Cleverley was tipped by plenty to be the successor to one of the most gifted midfielders this country has ever seen.

Fortunately for the lad, and for the team, Cleverley dealt with the expectation well, and confirmed his place in the starting XI at the start of the season.

Despite the numerous struggles WPS was faced with in 2011, the Boston Breakers remained a solid squad. Thanks to an impressive post-World Cup run, the club earned its second-consecutive playoff appearance. Although they may have fallen short of the Championship game, 2011 was a remarkable year nevertheless for the Breakers.

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 28, 2011) US Soccer Players -- After a year where Major League Soccer added two more teams, lost several high profile players through retirement and other opportunities, and got a marquee winner in an MLS Cup final, here are a few things I would like to see from the League in 2012.

In the last few weeks the Seattle Sounders have lost a total of 9 players by draft, transfer, trade, retirement, and just about every other way you can think of for a team to lose a player. This week we talk about those loses and what the team will do to fill those gaps.

We have an audio clip from the December 7th press conference call with new Sounders netminder Michael Gspurning (Guh-SHPURN-ing), answering Jeremiah's question as to how long he would like to stay in Seattle.

In the last few weeks the Seattle Sounders have lost a total of 9 players by draft, transfer, trade, retirement, and just about every other way you can think of for a team to lose a player. This week we talk about those loses and what the team will do to fill those gaps.
We have an audio clip from the December 7th press conference call with new Sounders netminder Michael Gspurning (Guh-SHPURN-ing), answering Jeremiah's question as to how long he would like to stay in Seattle.

It's that time of year again. Time to consult the D.C. United roster list, see who's been naughty and nice (and who is, frankly, useless), and compile my own off-season shopping list. Ready to begin?

Russell: Finally a replacement for Namoff?

The process of re-shaping the roster has already begun.

Swedish midfielder Erik Friberg became the latest Seattle Sounder to depart this off-season, moving to Swedish club Malmo on Monday in a transfer announced by the Sounders.

Friberg played 26 matches for Seattle, recording a goal and assist for the Sounders.

The off-season has been a busy one for the Sounders, who had already lost goalkeeper Kasey Keller to retirement, James Riley and Tyson Wahl in the expansion draft, as well as Nate Jaqua and Pat Noonan in the re-entry draft.

Lots of chat today over whether Arsenal chose the right people for the 125 year statues.
In issues like these, you're basically asking people to decide who their favourite Arsenal players were - a ridiculously subjective exercise.
So, at least for the initial statues, you have to go with the obvious candidates.

Andy Williams, the last remaining original member of the expansion Real Salt Lake's inaugural 2004 season, announced his retirement today. The 14-year veteran will join RSL as a member of its technical staff.
From MLSoccer.com:

Williams, 34, was the last remaining member of the original RSL team, joining the club with the first pick of the 2004 MLS Expansion Draft and spending the rest of his playing days representing the Claret and Cobalt.