As you can see from the highlights, the US MNT's 1-0 loss to Slovakia wasn't pretty, but they hung in there, got some good chances, and only allowed a goal on a questionable penalty kick (also, good job spelling Marek Hamsik's name wrong, USsoccer.com).

There really isn't too much you can say about this match.

Click to continue reading...

The Alan Wiley drama finally came to a head with the FA charging Sir Alex with improper conduct for questioning Wiley's fitness levels. It could impose a fine and a touchline ban.

"He just wasn't fit enough for a game of that standard," Ferguson said. "The fitness of the players, the pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit.

Click to continue reading...

The other day I was watching television and saw an advertisement for something called Aciphex. As far as I can tell, it's a medication for acid reflux. I'm sure it's a fine product full of wondrous medicinal properties, but I can't help but think that the people who named it are off snickering to themselves right now. Click to continue reading...

Couldn't resist passing along this item the Associated Press just put out on the wire (it's an attempted correction of an incorrect photo caption, BTW):

** CORRECTS DATE ** United States' Kyle Beckarman, left, takes part in
drills as Jonathan Bornstein looks on during a practice for a World
Cup qualifying soccer match in Sandy, Utah, Friday, Sept.

Click to continue reading...

They got great fans up here.
Not so great pitch.
Mediocre team.
Bad spelling display on the pictured scarf. Click to continue reading...

I wish that I were writing an apology to the U.S. team right now. Sorry- and I-was-so-wrong-for-doubting the 'B/C' squad. But let's face it: we all knew the end result. People were optimistic that it would be close, but any objective observer knew how it would end.

The Mexican fans' cheers for the U.

Click to continue reading...

Seriously, female Sounders fans. You've watched me meticulously analyze the ramifications of WPS putting it's players in various shades of pink. You've observed me taking on Peter Wilt for having his players judge a car show on Fathers day. You've seen me suggest that the Sirens of Soccer are perhaps a bit too over-sexualized in the media. Click to continue reading...

Special post today, as I attended my first ever Tour de France stage. This was to be the tenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France and covered 194.5km from Limoges to Issoudun in Indre, about 50kms from where I live. I have driven this route before and by car, takes a good couple of hours to do.

The programme suggested getting into position at around 3pm as this was the expected time of arrival of the riders.

Click to continue reading...

The personal touch never fails. It says how much Florentino Perez wanted Karim Benzema.

The Lyon striker reveals he could have gone to Man Utd but the thought of playing with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo proved irresistible. Then Perez shows up at his doorstep to convince him that it was the right move.

Click to continue reading...

Morning all. I am somewhat *boilked* this morning but never mind. Who amongst us has not drank too much at one point in our lives?

Exactly. Which is why we should be forgiving and understanding when it comes to Nicklas Bendtner. I mean who amongst us hasn't gone out, drank too much, then been photographed with our pants falling down?

Click to continue reading...

PGL: Well Wednesday was pants, the FA Cup semi final all over again. Seeing a difference in class I can take but when it appears to be a difference in attitude, that is sickening. After four changes of under garments, I sat down with a bottle of my favourite Irish drop and found myself 90 minutes later deflated and frustrated.

Click to continue reading...

Lineups are in:

Middlesbrough:

Jones

McMahon-Wheater-Huth-Taylor

O'Neil-Bates-Tuncay-Downing

Aliadiere-King

Bench: Turnbull, Hoyte, Digard, Emnes, Alves, Johnson, Grounds

As for us, it's close to what I predicted yesterday, with Almunia coming into the squad and Eboue spelling Sagna:

Almunia

Eboue-Toure-Silvestre-Gibbs

Walcott-Fabregas-Denilson-Nasri

Bendtner-Arshavin

Bench: Fabianski, Diaby, Sagna, Vela, Song, Djourou, Adebayor

Good news about Almunia, as this will give him a chance to get game sharp again before Wednesday's game.

Click to continue reading...

Helsingborgs IF (alternative spelling Hälsingborgs IF between 1912 and 1971), most commonly referred to as HIF, or Helsingborg, is a Swedish football club located in Helsingborg. The club, formed 4 June 1907, has won six national championship titles and three national cup titles. They are currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. Click to continue reading...

Evidence that staring at black-and-white stripes can lead to dyslexia We have tried to say it in the broadest of Geordie accents, and we still can't make 'boycoutt' say 'boycott'. Obviously the fans in question were not from the spelling regiment of the Toon Army. We have to agree with the sentiments though: sak teh boaurd, [. Click to continue reading...