The biggest rivalry in the Premier League is, still, Manchester United against Liverpool. It's not your Manchester derby. Neither is it Chelsea against Manchester United. The Red Devils against the Reds remains at the top, featuring the two most...
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Manchester United – Liverpool FC; the very thought of it strikes every chord of passion amongst either set of fans. This particular derby has often failed to exhibit the mesmerising displays of copacetic football expected by the neutrals across the globe. The contest which is often decided by individual bravura is widely described as ‘pixelated' around the world.

There's something about today's opponents that seems a little familiar. Oh, that's because there is. The latest installment of the Manchester United-Liverpool rivalry was only two weeks ago, and after Liverpool nabbed a late win at Anfield that day, United are aiming for revenge in the form of a crucial league win at home today.

This Sunday we have the final of the African Nations Cup, while the rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool continues on Saturday. AC Milan face third place Udinese in Serie A before taking on Arsenal in the Champions League which has now reached the knock-out stages. Listen to Damon and Damian discussing their predictions on this week's show

John Nyen spurs a more interesting relationship between Donovan and Dempsey than "foil."

....or did they?

10 goals in the Barclay's Premier League and 16 in all competitions: Clint Dempsey

5 assists in 7 games in the Barclay's Premier League: Landon Donovan

No animosity (photo credit: MLSSoccer.

I am fond of February. It is the first month of the off-season when you can finally say 'TFC game next month". That, and the signs that days are getting just a little longer, are important to me.
Now since I blogged that TFC was using the pre-season stage to shed some players, they turned around and signed two defenders.

I bet Bob Bradley had not anticipated this when he took over as coach of the Pharaohs last year. Needless to say, it is very sad what happened in Egypt earlier this week.

A league match pitting rivals Al-Masry and Al-Ahly at Port Said turned tragic when 73 fans were killed when violence broke out after Al-Masry 3-1 win.

The idea of a soccer "derby" eluded me when I was younger. Not only because I heard it as a "dArby", but also because American announcers would always make a point to distance it from our petty little rivalries in the US. Derbies are a rivalry, but fueled by years of bad blood and proximity - where immense soccer fervor allowed multiple teams to pop up within a few miles of each other.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

In the hours following the Union's official announcement of their decision to sell Sebastien Le Toux to the Vancouver Whitecaps, the French striker who leaves Philadelphia as the club's statistical leader in nearly every measurable offensive category, showed the professionalism, character, and emotion that made him such a beloved figure in Philadelphia.

Photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com

If Sebastien Le Toux makes an appearance at PPL Park this summer for his second MLS All-Star Game, he won't be representing the home team. He'll be doing it as a member of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The Philadelphia Union officially announced that they have dealt Le Toux to the Whitecaps, acquiring an undisclosed sum of allocation money in exchange for its leading scorer and 2010 MLS All-Star.

"We're not Racist" - Twists of the Scouse-Manc debate
Anyone tiring of the Suarez racism saga? Me too, but I'm breaking radio silence to offer a few thoughts, just as Suarez serves the final week of his ban and in light of yesterday's fiercely fought battle between Liverpool and Manchester United - the second epic Soucse-Manc cup battle at Anfield this week.

"No, we're the underdogs."
Ayr v Kilmarnock. An Ayrshire derby in a league cup semi final and nobody wants to be favourites.
No surprise there. Derby games are different. Derby games in cups carry an extra weight. Make it a semi final and you've got a hell of a game on your hands.

Sing along now: "There's only one Arsenal."
Or not.
Fans of the Gunners familiar with only the Premier League, or the top four leagues in England, might know a few teams from other countries. Mostly, this has been due to the Champions League being televised so widely. Crazed football fans may watch more games, including from the top European leagues in Spain, Italy, Germany and France but, for the most part, naming three teams in Denmark might prove to be a challenge.

Having left a pretty bad mark in their latest meeting with Manchester United, Liverpool apparently wants their upcoming meeting against Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the FA Cup returns as a memorable fixture in a footballing way.

This wish is being revealed by the Reds' captain, Steven Gerrard, who felt that what happened in both clubs' previous meeting have pretty much gave more negative aspect towards his team which is obviously not related with football.

Ahead of the it being confirmed that Luis Suarez had racially abused Patrice Evra, Kenny Dalglish claimed that the guilty party should be punished. That would mean if Evra couldn't prove he was innocent, he should be punished for making the accusation.

Liverpool players then warmed up in t-shirts in support of Suarez and once Suarez was found guilty, showed no remorse.

This generous lady poetically proves USWNT supporters can run with some rivalry smack as good as the fellas - albeit in their own particular grrrl-y way. Her offering actually came before last night's 4-0 Olympic qualifying win over Mexico (who do we have to bribe up to get highlights?!?), I think it also stands pretty well the day after.

Who should MLS face off against this summer in the All-Star Game? (Getty Images)

Today we learned that Philadelphia and PPL Park would be home to this year's summer friendly for Major League Soccer known as the All Star Game.

But what we don't know is who the MLS All Stars will be facing off against come July.

Despite the unbalanced nature of the 2012 Cascadia Cup, the three biggest supporters groups of the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps elected to have each game count equally toward the trophy.

Various options had been discussed, such as counting just one home game for each team or weighting road results differently, but there was apparently near universal support to make the competition's rules as straight forward as possible.

Manchester United

Position 2nd, 15-3-3 (48 points, +32 goal differential)

Away Record: 7-2-1, +13 goal differential

Recent Form: WWLLW

Last Meeting: I don't think there was a last meeting, was there?

Here we go again.

The world's top rivalry takes center stage when Real Madrid hosts Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarterfinals (4 p.m., GOLTV/ESPN3.com), the first of two meetings in a week's time that will determine which club advances to the semifinals.

I think Sunderland signing Martin O'Neill as their new manager is one of the most significant events to happen in the North-East recently. Of course there is massive rivalry between Newcastle and Sunderland, so it takes a lot for a Newcastle fan to say something like that. But rivalry and competition manifest themselves in every [.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

With the release of the Union's 2012 regular season schedule, I, along with my colleagues at the PSP, am buzzing about the prospects of the new season. Just 66 more days (stupid leap year) until the Union take the pitch in Portland to get Year Three underway. In the meantime, now that MLS has thrown out last year's balanced schedule (take that purists) we have plenty to talk about with respect to the construction of the 2012 Union schedule.

Let's start with the good news about the 2012 MLS schedule: Despite earlier announcements that Seattle Sounders FC would be playing on March 10, the league office has thought better of it and gave them the weekend off. In fact, the Sounders and Toronto FC will get the weekend off in order to focus on their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals matches on March 7 and 14.

Football quiz: Manchester City v Liverpool

Today's questions enjoy the kind of rivalry that a shared enemy brings

View the full story here: The Guardian

A news article on 2012-01-04 00:01:00 from: The Guardian

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

Man City v Liverpool preview

Man City and Liverpool will on Tuesday night begin what over the space of the next month is set to become a more than familiar rivalry.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2012-01-03 10:41:42 from: Sky Sports

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

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott's astronomical contract demands could lead to him move to one of The Gunners' Premier League rivals, according to The Daily Star.
The England international is requesting a new four-year deal worth £85,000 a week.
The likes of Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly being alerted with Arsenal so far stalling over completing a deal.

The SPL works off the turkey and mince pies with a full Wednesday evening fixture. The eyes of the world upon us once more. Or at least the eyes of those Sky viewers not tempted by the tungsten superheroes at the Ally Pally.
Celtic v Rangers
Apparently recent form has left some Celtic supporters confident about this one.

Luis Suarez ups the ante in bitter Liverpool v United rivalry

Manchester United and Liverpool have always felt their rivalry deeply. At times it has threatened to cross the line of what is decent. Now after 183 games between the two clubs we have Luis Suarez.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-23 22:44:09 from: The Mail

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

Everybody I talked to said the same thing – we were up for it like no other game in recent memory. Not just a derby, this one has become more sour over the last few years. There's a bitter edge to it, compared with the intense but long-standing rivalry with the Arsen*l, heightened by the welcome but unusual sensation of being third and favourites.

Leading up to the Clasico this past weekend between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Paul Kennedy of Soccer America reported on what Jose Mourinho left his players with as their 10 secrets of success heading into this massive rivalry of world football super powers.
What will it take for Real Madrid to beat Barcelona in their much-awaited Clasico on Saturday at the Bernabeu Stadium?

When the FA Cup draw was made, people obviously picked out Manchester United vs. Manchester City as the biggest match with Arsenal vs. Leeds United as the other big match. While it is fair to say that there is no real "rivalry" between Arsenal and Leeds geographically or in competing for trophies, there is no [.

By Darshan Joshi

Progress prolongs our existence. It is a beautiful reality that progress will one day find the cure for cancer, the solution to global warming and the end to discrimination. Even individually, each day is progression. We might do nought but lay in a hammock on a golden Maldivian beach, wordless, but not thoughtless – never thoughtless – and that is progress in itself.

Happy Cyber-Monday everyone! I've been scanning the internet using some of the new apps that check for deals and its been making things a lot easier. Although it feels like cheating when you don't even have to work on your search-fu to find bargains. Cyber-Monday is another day for celebrating the glories of American consumerism by blowing off work.

That's one delicious seat cushionBienvenue la "401 Derby"! With the new improved Stade Saputo (aka L'Emporium de Fromage) under construction and the bones of the squad starting to come together via the MLS Expansion Draft, TFC's natural rival, Montreal Impact, are inching towards life in the big leagues.

Go to any article on the MLS site that has anything to do with the Seattle Sounders or the Portland Timbers and you will find back and forth snide comments from Seattle and Timbers fans. Even in the Goal of the Year and Save of the Year articles you had the constant bickering between the two fan bases.

The dust of MLS Cup and the Expansion Draft has settled and there is still one topic currently making the rounds in MLS circles: the selection of Brian Ching by the Montreal Impact.
Jesse Marsch likely made few friends in Houston with his selection of Brian Ching in the expansion draft. Really though, Houston have no one to be mad at but themselves.

EUROPE'S BIGGEST CLUB MATCHES THIS WEEKEND
-Fri Nov 25
Udinese v Roma - #4 v #5 in Serie A
TV: 1:30pm CT on Fox Soccer
-Sat Nov 26
Manchester United v Newcastle - #2 v #4 in the Premier League
TV: 9am CT on ESPN2
Dortmund v Schalke - #2 v #4 in the Bundesliga
TV: 8:30am CT on Gol TV
Lazio v Juventus - #2 v #1 in Serie A
TV: 1:30pm CT on Fox Soccer
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - the Madrid derby
TV: NONE
-Sun Nov 27
Liverpool v Manchester City #6 v #1 in the Premier League
TV: 10am CT on Fox Soccer
Marseille v Paris St Germain - France's biggest rivalry, and PSG is at #1
TV: 1:55pm CT on Fox Soccer Plus

Welcoming Laurie Dunsire this hour. A Hearts fan. This blogathon is inclusive to its bones.
Laurie writes for the excellent Scottish Football Forums
And follow him @lauriedunsire
I'll let Laurie explain what this hour has been about:
Aidan Smith, Hibs fan and sports journalist, carried out an unthinkable challenge when he became a Hearts fan for a whole season, something which he documented in his book, Heartfelt: Supping Bovril from the Devil's Cup.

Hernandez has highlighted the young players at United, are key to maintaining the hunger and competition within the squad.

With Danny Welbeck having made an impressive start to the season, and the success of Phil Jones, Chicarito spoke to Inside United about the mix of the youth and experience within the club, as well as the healthy rivalry between the players.

MLS Cup at Home Depot Center between the Galaxy and Houston Dynamo is just eight days away.

*A good read this morning in the Houston Chronicle explores the rivalry and relationship between the two veteran coaches who will meet in MLS Cup.

*How happy do you think the Galaxy's Robbie Keane is about Ireland's dominating Euro 2012 playoff win?