safe bet

Colorado Rapids

No Thompson Trade Yet

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The team has confirmed that Wells has asked for a trade to find more playing time but states that no deal is complete yet. Roster freeze date is Saturday, so safe bet he'll be traded sometime this week (I'm guessing an official announcement tomorrow).

Frustrated Colorado Rapids Will Look to Avoid Falling Further

Stumptown Footy at related • 0 views

Wow, what a busy week! The FO have announced season tickets would remain flat, the field would be widened, TicketMaster would be fired and Caleb Porter would be hired.

What's that? We have two games in six days against the Colorado Rapids? Oh ... right.

When Stumptown Footy previewed the Colorado Rapids ahead of their first match this year against the Portland Timbers, the Rapids weren't in great shape.

US Men's National Team

Who should Klinsmann start vs. Jamaica this time?

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Photo by ISIPhotos.com

Just two days removed from Friday's disappointing 2-1 loss to Jamaica, Jurgen Klinsmann is left to figure out just which 11 players he can turn to for Tuesday's crucial rematch against the 'Reggae Boyz' in Columbus.

There were few good performances across the board for the Americans, and some that should lead to changes in the lineup.

Who should the USMNT start vs. Costa Rica?

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The second match of the Jurgen Klinsmann era with the U.S. national team is set to take place Friday night at the Home Depot Center with the United States taking on Costa Rica, and while it is the less intriguing of the U.S. team's two upcoming friendlies, it should still help shed light on Klinsmann's work with the team.

Klinsmannismus

The Run of Play - Soccer in Style at related • 0 views

"We are ourselves" — that's what Jürgen Klinsmann wanted to teach the players of Bayern Munich. He wanted them to "open up"; he wanted to get to know them, to "look inside" them, to meet their emotional needs. It was a philosophy of liberation — of helping players to get beyond the inhibitions of consciousness, back to some easy inner self.

Matchday @San Jose: Earthquakes vs Red Bulls

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Good afternoon! The Red Bulls are back in MLS action today vs the San Jose Earthquakes (10:30pm ET, ESPN2). The Earthquakes usually play @Buckshaw Stadium (pictured above) but they moved this match to the much larger Stanford Stadium. As of yesterday, 30,000 tickets had been sold, so it should be a fantastic atmosphere.

Who should the USMNT start vs. Panama?

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Photo by ISIPhotos.com

Coming off the U.S. men's national team's Gold Cup opening 2-0 win against Canada, head coach Bob Bradley has a quick turnaround before Saturday's Group C match-up against Panama. He will have just a few days to decide whether to stick with the lineup that beat Canada, or make some changes.

A busy week for Americans Abroad

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There have been plenty of stories circulating this week, and particularly today, regarding Americans plying their trade abroad, and it's time to catch everyone up on the latest:

Michael Bradley has NOT completed a transfer to Aston Villa, despite reports out of Germany suggesting otherwise.

Norwich City

Americans Abroad: A Look Ahead

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photo by Matt West/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

If Brad Guzan and Eric Lichaj are to get their first starts of the Premiership campaign with Aston Villa, now might be the best time to do so.

The Villans are in last place in the Premier League standings and changes could be coming in order to help them avoid a third straight defeat at the start of the year.

Norwich And Swansea Create Blueprint For Future Clubs Promoted from Championship

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Pre-season predictions are a dangerous game especially when it comes to tipping the relegation candidates. A safe bet is to always look around the teams from last year and the newly promoted sides. This is something BBC's chief football writer...

This is a content summary. Visit http://www.

English Premier League

Summing up the summer: Everton

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There is a reason David Moyes currently boasts the third longest tenure in charge of a Premier League club. That reason is consistent top half finishes and multiple European campaigns, all with very limited resources.

Some very shrewd business over the years has cemented Everton's place amongst the Premier League's top eight clubs and by the end of this coming season, we could be lauding another few displays of brilliance by the Scot.

Fulham 1-1 Chelsea: Somebody get me a stotch

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Christ that made for disturbing viewing. Somebody get me a glass of the good stuff, preferably of Laphroaig 27-year-old. This is going to be a long, rough evening.


On a binge

It's a safe bet that John Terry left Craven Cottage late Monday night wandering what the hell had just happened.

Kuyt Mulls Roma Move, and Other Thursday Notes

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After last weekend's capitulation to Newcastle on the heels of a frustrating series of results against clubs lurking in the relegation zone, you probably wouldn't expect days filled with positive news items. And you'd be right. Welcome to the suck...

* Ever since Jordan Hendrson arrived at the club and walked straight into the starting eleven on the right, slotting in ahead of the previous season's scoring leader without having to earn the role despite it being his less favoured position and that the man he was replacing remains a regular for the Dutch national team, there has been a widespread belief that Dirk Kuyt's time at the club has all but reached its end.

Season 2011-2012: The Hotspur Strikes Back

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The impending season would be tough but the mere mention of Anthony Gardner was comic relief for RedknappHere we sit, dear friends, on the verge on another Premier League season. The players have had their break, we've had ours, pre-season has come and gone and now it's time to deliver. It may seem like we say this before every campaign these days but this really is a big year for the Hotspur.

Suarez Could Miss Opener and Other Wednesday Notes

The Offside - Liverpool at related • 1 view

It's only the preseason, and already a long off-week between matches is making time drag in a way it didn't during the weeks in June and July when there wasn't any Liverpool football waiting tantalisingly out of reach. For those content with being out of Europe and so avoiding those somnambulant Europa League group stage Thursdays, this is your future.

BBC Sport – Aston Villa sign Shay Given from Manchester City on five-year deal

Soccer Limey in America at related • 0 views

BBC Sport Aston Villa sign Shay Given from Manchester City on five-year deal.

In probably the most cost effective transfer in the close season to date, Aston Villa today signed Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Shay Given to a 5 year deal.

Given is widely regarded as one of the top goalies in the Premier League despite having spent most of last season on the bench as backup to Manchester City's England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Mid-Day Ticker: Spector a free agent, Libertadores ends scoreless and more

Soccer By Ives at related • 6 views

photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Jonathan Spector has spent the last five years with West Ham United, but his time with the club appears to have come to a end.

Spector is officially a free agent after failing to agree to new a deal with West Ham, which will be attempting to gain promotion to the Premiership next season.

Major League Soccer

MLS salaries for league newcomers are out

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The Major League Soccer Player's Union updated the listing of MLS players salaries earlier today, and shed some light on just how much the league's newcomers are costing.

From million-dollar strikers Kenny Miller and Marco DiVaio, to centerbacks making between $200K an $300K like Arne Friedrich, Alessando Nesta and Bakary Soumare, MLS teams did some serious spending to make their mid-season roster improvements.

Know your affiliate: Reading United AC

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Photo: Courtesy of Glenn Riegel/Reading United

EDITOR'S NOTE: PSP welcomes Sean Doyle, who provides an in-depth look at Philadelphia Union affiliate Reading United.

The future of Major League Soccer is showcased on glorious, warm (sometimes downright hot) summer nights in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The TMZ Effect on MLS

Americanize Soccer at related • 11 views
















Salacious headlines is not the first thing that comes to mind when the American public thinks of Major League Soccer. Most people in America probably don't even know what MLS stands for exactly.

Fantasy MLS: Week 19

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By ALAN LEDBETTER

A full week of MLS games made for a high scoring week last week. There is a much lighter schedule this week with no teams playing twice this week as many of them are engaged in the US Open Cup competition. Prepare a challenge to find the right starting lineup as most games are fairly even this week.

Sacha Kljestan

Kljestan, Anderlecht among winners in first legs of third qualifying round of UCL

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If there is one team out of the contending 24 who is a safe bet to advance from the third round of UEFA Champions League qualifying, it is Belgian champions RSC Anderlecht.

Playing in their home leg of a two-game series, Anderlecht cruised to a 5-0 victory over Lithuanian outfit Ekranas on Wednesday.

Americans Abroad: Europa League Preview

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photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

A handful of Americans could be in action on Thursday afternoon as the knockout phase of the Europa League begins, including two who will be in direct competition with one another.

Jozy Altidore and Sacha Kljestan are set to battle in the first leg of their Round of 32 Europa League fixtures.

Emmanuel Frimpong

FA Right To Charge Frimpong

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I don't know for sure, but I would hazard a guess that Emmanuel Frimpong does not have a detailed knowledge of the Second World War.

He might have seen a movie or two and he has probably heard of the Nazis, Hitler and the Holocaust without ever achieving any depth of insight or understanding.

FA Right To Charge Frimpong

Arsenal Arsenal at related • 0 views

I don't know for sure, but I would hazard a guess that Emmanuel Frimpong does not have a detailed knowledge of the Second World War.

He might have seen a movie or two and he has probably heard of the Nazis, Hitler and the Holocaust without ever achieving any depth of insight or understanding.

D.C. United

Another SKC All Star, and Local TV in Trouble?

Down the Byline at related • 0 views
Two questions that could loom large over Sporting KC in the coming days. First is a rumor that has come up only today. LA Galaxy midfielder, David Beckham had been named to the MLS all star team that will be taking on Chelsea at PPL Park this coming Wednesday. But the opening ceremonies for the London Olympics are on Friday, and Beckham is possibly going to play a role or want to attend those ceremonies.

Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United: The Basics

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I was at RFK Stadium last night. I was at RFK Stadium last year when the Fire won on the backs of two goals after the 80th minute. I certainly did not expect to see a repeat two-late-goal performance after Dwayne De Rosario converted his 89th minute penalty kick. A fairly blah game turned into a story for the ages when Sebastian Grazzini scored a scorcher of a goal and Diego Chaves finished D.

Euro 2012

Who Will Go Further in Euro 2012: Italy or Spain?

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In perhaps Euro 2012′s most intriguing match so far, European and world champions Spain were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy. The Spaniards fielded a strange lineup void of a single true striker as attacking midfielders David Silva and Andres Iniesta were joined by central midfielder Cesc Fabregas in forward positions.

Internationals Preview: Weekend Qualifiers and Friendlies

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Liverpool's two biggest matches of the early season are divided by yet another international break, with all of the active national sides on the continent wrapping up their Euro 2012 qualifying campaigns, and World Cup 2014 qualifiers starting nearly everywhere else. Fitness struggles mean there's a bit less action than usual for Kenny Dalglish's side, but there's a decent amount taking part in qualifiers or friendlies around across the globe.

jhon kennedy

State Of The Sounders' Roster: T-Minus 4 Weeks, 36 Players Still In Camp

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The Seattle Sounders' preseason roster got just a little bit lighter as they got ready to take off for Florida and Mexico. Although the Sounders didn't officially release an updated roster, Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times has managed to piece one together:

Goalkeepers (5): Chris Blais*, Josh Ford, Michael Gspurning, Bryan Meredith, Andrew Weber*

Defenders (10): Marc Burch, Andrew Duran#, Leo Gonzalez, Harlinton Gutierres*, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni, Adam Johansson, Jeff Parke, Zach Scott, Michael Tetteh

Midfielders (13): Osvaldo Alonso, Servando Carrasco, Alex Caskey*, Cordell Cato, Brad Evans, Alvaro Fernandez, Lamar Neagle, Mauro Rosales, Andy Rose^, Amadou Sanyang, Michael Seamon, Christian Sivebaek, Steve Zakuani

Forwards (7): David Estrada, Mike Fucito, Roger Levesque, Fredy Montero, Sammy Ochoa, Babayele Soldade#, O'Brian White

* -- trialist/invitee, # -- unsigned draft pick, ^ -- acquired on draft day trade, underline -- recovering from injury with uncertain timeline

Still not a whole lot of surprises at this point.

Chicago Fire Vs. Seattle Sounders, Matchcard: Projected Lineups, Statistics

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Like we did for the match against Real Salt Lake, this week's Seattle Sounders projected lineup is more of a preferred lineup than one necessarily based on any inside information. In fact, it seems like based on the way personnel was deployed during practice this week, Fredy Montero could be on the bench again this week.

The Rest

UNC and Charlotte prepare for battle in NCAA College Cup Final

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By JOHN BOSCHINI

No. 1 North Carolina and unseeded Charlotte share the same state geographically but that's about all these two teams have in common.

The Tar Heels are a perennial power participating in their fourth-straight College Cup. It is a team full of pro-ready talent, a team that has gelled remarkably fast under first-year head coach Carlos Somoano, who spent the better part of the decade as an assistant with North Carolina.

2011 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings

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While the wide receiving crop for the 2011 fantasy football season is a bit light up top, there are a ton of players with a lot of potential. Who will catch fire and be a fantasy football stud at the wide receiver position? Here are our top ten wide receivers for 2011 fantasy football:

1. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
He's the most talented wide receiver in the game.