Bob Bradley's first game in charge of the Egyptian national team is a little more than a couple
of weeks away, and his opponent, Brazil, named its squad for the friendly that will take place in
Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 14.
While it's not a complete first-team squad because of domestic-based players staying in Brazil
for the final stretch of the Brazilian championship, the Selecao are re-introducing Real Madrid
midfielder Kaka to the mix for the first time since the 2010 World Cup.
The draw for the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League group stage was made in Monaco today. 2009 winners
Atlético de Madrid are arguably the biggest club involved in this season's competition and they
will have been relatively pleased with a draw which placed them in Group I alongside Italian
Champions League drop-outs Udinese Calcio, French side Stade Rennais and Swiss side FC Sion.
There are plenty of Americans still involved in the UEFA Europa League, but none will play
against each other until the knockout stage at the earliest after Friday's draw revealed this
season's 12 groups.
Jozy Altidore has been on fire as of late, and his AZ Alkmaar has a favorable outlook in Group
G.
Dempsey is hoping to lead Fulham back to the Europa League finalUEFA has completed the draw for the Group Stage of the 2011-12 Europa League, and it poses some
intriguing matchups - and trips - for the U.S. players involved. A total of 48 teams were drawn
into 12 groups competing for the right to compete in the final on May 9, 2012, in Bucarest,
Romania.
Sporting Defeat for Reds Youngsters
Liverpool last night suffered defeat in their opening game of the NextGen series – an
unofficial U-19 ‘Champions League' – at Anfield against Portuguese side, Sporting Clube de
Portugal. Two goals in the first half and one late on in the second condemned Rodolfo Borrell's
side, and though there were certainly signs of improvement throughout the second half, it was
perhaps something of a reality check to the much lauded Liverpool players as to how far they still
have to go.
Mr. Tevez married upHere's another edition of Random Thoughts; no I don't have anything else to
write about. Deal with it.
- Um Carlos Tevez, please go away. Go play in Brazil. Go play in Italy. Go play in Argentina. Go
play with yourself. You've become tiresome and a punchline. Your wife and kids don't like England,
then make a call for chrissakes.
The European club season is fast approaching and today will offer up the first samplings of what
should be a great year.
Reigning German Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund open play in the German Super Cup against
Schalke 04. U.S. national team midfielder Jermaine Jones isn't likely to play a part for Schalke
since he's on the way out, but the match should still be a fun one to watch.
The final to the unpredictable Copa America is on tap for this weekend, as Uruguay and Paraguay
do battle for South America's regional crown and a place in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
New seasons around the world get set to begin as well, as the Mexican Apertura campaign kicks
off this weekend with American striker Herculez Gomez debuting with his new team, Estudiantes
Tecos.
Whether MLS coaches like it or not, another full wave of friendlies packs the weekend schedule,
with games involving European teams taking place in five North American cities.
Four of the games are part of the World Football Challenge, as high-profile teams Manchester
United, Real Madrid and Manchester City continue their tours of America.
Foxboro, MA Tonight marks the beginning of the 2011 HerbaLife World Football Challenge, when the
New England Revolution take on the 19-time English Champions and 2010/11 UEFA Champions League
Runner-Up, Manchester United. For fans new to the World Football Challenge (which are quite a
few, seeing as this is only the second time the competition has been held) have seemed a little
unsure of the "format" or whether it was an actual tournament at all.
Sporting Clube de Portugal (also known as Sporting CP, Sporting and Sporting Lisbon) has officially
launched its PUMA 2011/12 home, away and third kits. The popular Portuguese Liga team is expected
to don its new kits during its upcoming pre-season matches (including its July 23rd meeting with
Juventus FC in Toronto, Canada).
Sporting Clube de Portugal (also known as Sporting CP, Sporting and Sporting Lisbon) has officially
launched its PUMA 2011/12 home, away and third kits. The popular Portuguese Liga team is expected
to don its new kits during its upcoming pre-season matches (including its July 23rd meeting with
Juventus FC in Toronto, Canada).
U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu will wear the green and white of Sporting Clube de Portugal beginning
next season after joining the club on a free transfer.
Gooch signed a three-year contract and will compete in the Europa League next season with Sporting,
which is part of the Três Grandes (Big Three) of Portuguese football along with Benfica and Porto.
Juventus has added a second date to its upcoming U.S. pre-season tour and they will meet
legendary Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon at BMO Field in Toronto on July 23 (7 pm ET kickoff).
Juventus had previously announced that they will meet Mexican side on July 26 at Citi Field in
Queens, N.
I've neglected my little space on the Intertubes here, largely because of Twitter. The instant
gratification and dialogue is a lot more satisfying than having to seed this sucker on other blogs.
I love writing here, but my Twitter feed http://twitter.com/#!/starting_eleven is a lot more fun.
Sorry peeps.
