Redknapp's version of Usain Bolt's iconic celebration was lacking in many areas.In the aftermath of the chaos that was February 9th 2012, no-one could discuss the position of Tottenham manager with any certainty. Harry Redknapp, the current incumbent, began the day with the verdict of a court case for tax evasion hanging over his head yet, come the day's completion, his immediate and medium term future was the most speculated upon in all the land.

People, please! Form an orderly queue for a glimpse of the hawt. Images: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe.

Dear Sir,

We don't blame you for handcuffing yourself to a goalpost during the first half of Everton's 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the EPL last night. Many have mocked you, but we often find it hard to resist the magnetic power of Joe Hart as well.

I appealed because I obviously completely disagreed with the interpretation of the officials on the day but that happens in football and we move on. I wonder though if we are now going to see an unprecedented wave of red cards on match days because we sanction "if's" and "maybe's"? Are we going to look back at video evidence for every single challenge that goes unnoticed by the officials, look at different scenarios and potential outcomes of what could have been considered a good tackle and then sanction it?

The hunt for Arlo White's replacement ends with Kasey Keller announced as the analyst and Ross Fletcher (formerly of BBC Sport) hired as the new voice of Seattle Sounders FC. Oddly enough Fletcher lived just minutes away from White in the East Midlands. The transition back to a two-man booth will be smoothed by the presence of a man that Fletcher simply calls a "hero.

After retiring at the end of the 2011 season, US National Team alum and Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller has a new role with the club. He will be joining play-by-play voice Ross Fletcher in the booth for Sounders television and radio broadcasts. "It's exciting for me to be involved with our broadcasts and stay involved with the club," Keller said.

This is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments.

It is also sometimes colloquially used to cast doubt upon statistics used to prove an opponent's point.

The term was popularised in the United States by Mark Twain who attributed it to the 19th-century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881):

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.

Most of the day's action is either wrapped up, currently underway, or about to get going, so we can gradually shift the focus back to Liverpool for the time being, as there's a few pieces of news worth mentioning ahead of the weekend. Unfortunately nothing about Steven Gerrard's groin, but at this point most of you can just rely on your imagination for your daily fix.

What separates a good coach from a great coach?

A coach can be considered good if he does one of two things. One: He looks at his squad and says, "Right then, these are my players. I will build a system to suit them." Then he creates a system, plugs in players, and off they go on a fine run of form.

By DAVE GUBALA

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.-- When the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew squared off on Saturday night it was the Crew that had everything to play for and the Fire just playing out the string. You wouldn't have known it based on how both teams came out though, as the Fire completed a strong finish to the 2011 season with another victory while the Crew stumbled their way into the post-season.

With the loss by Philadelphia tonight, Sporting KC now control their own fate when it comes to winning the Eastern Conference. No matter by how much on Saturday, KC win and they clinch the Eastern Conference. There are still ways that KC can tie and even lose and still win the East. I think I got all the scenarios down, here's a look at where Sporting KC fan finish and how.

The Galaxy have had the top spot wrapped up for a while. The Sounders and Real Salt Lake have also had their playoffs spot for a few weeks. Now there is one position remaining that 4 teams have a shot at with New York in the best position to take it.

The East side is kinda crazy right now.

The Galaxy have had the top spot wrapped up for a while. The Sounders and Real Salt Lake have also had their playoffs spot for a few weeks. Now there is one position remaining that 4 teams have a shot at with New York in the best position to take it.

The East side is kinda crazy right now.

Four Scenarios for the Timbers to Get Into the Play-offs

The guys over at PortlandTimbers.com have determined there are four possible ways for the Timbers to still reach the play-offs. None of them look very good, but hey, we'll take em!

Portland Timbers clinch a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF:

They defeat both D.

Well, Major League Soccer got what they wanted here a season that comes down to the final week that will decide the final playoff spot. Four clubs are still in contention for the 10th and final playoff spot and a lot can happen. Right now the New York Red Bulls sit in the driver's seat but Portland, DC and Chicago all have hopes of catching up and going to the playoffs.

We're almost, almost there. Until the playoffs come bounding back out of the closet to barrel us over with the kind of dramatic flair only the postseason can mete out, we're entered in the silly season. A week of conjecture, endlessly drab if-then scenarios and all the coach speak you can stomach. (You wanna hear "It is what it is?

Playoff update

If the playoffs started today, the Philadelphia Union would be the second seed in the Eastern Conference, level on 48 points with Kansas City but with an inferior win-loss-draw record. Kansas City defeated New York 2–0 on Saturday to draw level with the Union, which means New York has the last wild card spot with 43 points going into Thursday's game with the Union.

International Football Association Board (IFAB) decided in March to grant a further year for the testing of goal-line technology. Nine European companies have registered to take part in the tests, which are set to be held behind closed doors in stadiums chosen by the technology providers in consultation with FIFA.

In the wake of his team's latest mistake-filled defeat this time to the lowly San Jose Earthquakes Steve Nicol continued to do what he's done all season after a loss: blame the players.

That, in itself, wasn't suprising. What was suprising, however, is that the gaffer, in the twilight of his worst season at the helm, has pointed the finger at everyone but himself since First Kick.

New York ekes out a draw at BMO, then takes down MLS' top club at home to move closer to a playoff spot. Mark and Dave break down the scenarios & talk a little USMNT before chatting with RBNY correspondent Kristian Dyer. Some strong listener email as well. Two to play! CSRN MEDIA PLAYER

The Dynamo don't take the field again until the 14th of October against the Portland Timbers. In the interim, several matches will determine just how important the result of that match will be in terms of both team's playoff hopes. Last night, the LA Galaxy did the Dynamo no favors, falling 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls.

Just a quick post this Thursday morning to update Dynamo Nation on how last night's matches affected Houston's playoff chances. Sporting KC's victory over Columbus move them in to first place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the Dynamo, while the Crew remain in third place.

Football's "can do" scenarios: Arsenal "can do a Barca", Torres "can do a Ronaldo", Man City "can do a...

talkSPORT presents a round up of football's "can do" scenarios

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-09-23 07:30:00 from: Talksport

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

This week's MLSsoccer column:
Climbing the Ladder: Who scores the most important goals?
I've seen several people do this for other leagues (for example, Soccermetrics), but I've yet to see it for MLS. Using the data below, I determined how many points each goal was worth by comparing the PPG from teams in each situation in each minute.

This Friday, Russia could take a two point lead if they defeat Macedonia in Moscow and Ireland draws with Slovakia in Dublin. With this scenario Russia will move into first place with 16 points ahead of Slovakia and Ireland with 14 points. This is of course one of many scenarios [read more]

On this coming Friday, the second of September, the Swedish National Football Team has a date with destiny. Over a period of ninety minutes, interrupted only by a 15 minute half-time break, our to be or not to be at next years European Championship will be decided. We will be meeting a very game and up for the fight Hungary who also have to win to have any real chance of making it to the summer party.

Neil Blackmon continues his EPL Preview marathon. (Too bad he doesn't work for you guys ESPN)

Will The Deuce Abide...and remain at Fulham?

Part III of our Barclay's Premier League preview focuses on five teams that should all contend for the Europa League, which, depending on who you ask, is either great (because some ownership boards are honest enough to admit they aren't going to make the Champions League), or the European soccer equivalent of college basketball's NIT.

(All apologies to Northern Ireland and the Faroes...mostly the poor Faroes.)

Aside from infuriating injuries and some pretty decent highlight goals, anyway.

Shockingly, the happenings actually came from North America. For serious. Where Jurgen Klinsmann somewhat stole the show with his dancing and goal celebrations.

What's the reaction for these boys?

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 2 months or just completely shut yourself off from football related news after the end of the season, otherwise you would have known by now about the Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri situation.

With some playing time tonight, Logan Pause will make his 213th appearance for the Chicago Fire putting him jointly third on the Fire's all-time appearance list with Ring of Fire inductee Chris Armas. After Armas's retirement in 2007, Pause made the defensive midfield position his own and his tireless work in the Fire's engine room often goes unnoticed.

At which point do you decide that you want to see the back of this man?

Like many of you, I've become rather disinterested to listen to any more rumours until it is confirmed on the official Arsenaldotcom. Doesn't make for great publishing I know, as there will bound to be plenty of hits on the blog when talking about transfer targets.

Winning 11 out of 14 games hasn't been enough to give the Real Colorado Foxes control of the team's playoff destiny.

Instead of running away with the division, the Highlands Ranch-based side faces a two-game tie with its closest competitor and the possibility that this weekend could leave the team in first, or sitting out of the playoffs in third.

Dave recently discussed where we can expect the Sounders to end up at the end of the regular season. I'd like to take the next step and look at what the playoff match-ups would be and how that would affect Kasey's chances of lifting the Cup in LA.

The table in Dave's post contained three different ways of looking at where a team will end up: points per match (PPM), Graham's formula applied to a whole season's slate of games (x34), and Graham's formula applied to each team's remaining games (xFinish).

With six teams still in the hunt for a place in the championship game in the U-17/18 group at 2011 Development Academy Finals Week, we have a breakdown on what happens with any combination of results.
The order of tiebreakers is:
Goal Difference
Goals Scored
Head to head
Here are your scenarios for the final U-17/18 group games:

Group 1
Pateadores wins the group with.

The U-15/16 age group wrap up their Development Academy Playoff games today, sending the top team from each of the eight groups to Milwaukee, Wis., for Finals Week. Below are the possible advancement scenarios for the eight groups:
Group 1
Seattle Sounders FC advances with win OR draw
- With Seattle Sounders loss, the winner of Empire United and Soccer Academy moves to tie breaker scenarios to determine who advances
Group 2
Dallas Texas advances with win
- If Dallas Texans lose, Concorde Fire will advance with win OR draw
- If Dallas Texans lose, Albertson SC advances with win
- If Dallas Texans draws and Albertson SC wins, the group would move to tiebreaker scenarios
- If Dallas Texans draws and Concorde Fire wins, Concorde Fire advances
Group 3
L.

The U-17/18 age group wrap up their Development Academy Playoff games today, sending the top team from each of the eight groups to Milwaukee, Wis., for Finals Week.Below are the possible advancement scenarios for the eight groups:
Group 1
· Pateadores advances with a win OR draw against Empire United
· Winner of North Carolina Fusion/D.

Here's everything you need to know about tonight's 2-1 loss to Uzbekistan ...
-Game summary and statistics
-Quotes
-Possible advancement scenarios
-Watch highlights on FIFA.com

Arsenal Transfer Scenarios: Possible situations and outcomes by Anders Marshall As we all know, the transfer season has just begun with a bang with the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd splashing the cash early to get things rolling. It makes me sad as an Arsenal fan knowing Wenger would never make such bold moves [.

All 21 players hit the field this morning for a light training session ahead of tomorrow's important match against Uzbekistan. With just a two-day turnaround between games, the priority is getting every one back to 100 percent after spending a lot of energy during Sunday's 3-0 win against Czech Republic.

I end the title with a question mark as we have heard such statements before, not only from a Spurs chairman but many others throughout football as well.

Yes, it was a very strong statement put out by Mr Levy, it said all the key things and hit all the right notes for us fans.

It's a win or else scenario for the U.S. men's national team tonight in CONCACAF Gold Cup action as the Americans take on Guadeloupe needing a victory to avoid an embarrassing tournament exit, or a brutal quarterfinal match-up against Mexico.

The United States needs a win or a draw tonight at Livestrong Sporting Park (9 p.