It's time for a little overdue wrap up post with the correct answers to the recent quizzes.

One of These Players is not Like the Others

Answer: Didi Hamann. All other players were transfers from Karlsruhe to Bayern, while Hamann came through Bayern's youth system for a change.

Click to continue reading...

With the Don's latest state of the league comments about the importance of the Concacaf Champions League (CCL) and the extra load that it puts on teams that do well in the MLS standings, I've been thinking about what the league could do. Let's start out with the commissioner's problem description:

We need to prove that we can be among the best teams in the region, and that means beating Mexico.

Click to continue reading...

The Portuguese Superliga (Liga Sagres) has reached it's one-third mark after ten of the thirty games have been completed and we at PSNL have our one third season reviews. The surprising Sporting Braga and the offensive juggernaut Benfica sit a top the league tied in points with both teams suffering one defeat each, while last seasons defending Champions, FC Porto sit in third spot trailing Click to continue reading...

A pesar de angustiosas situaciones económicas y políticas en el país, el futbol siempre ha sido el escaparate perfecto para la sociedad mexicana.

Es triste ver como el futbol se privatiza poco a poco. Parece no ser suficiente desde hace algunos años, quitarle a la gente partidos de sus clubes en distintos lugares del país cuando estos juegan de locales.

Click to continue reading...

Friday is here and we are faced with the somewhat surprising reality that the first team eliminated from this year's MLS playoffs is the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew. You can complain all you want about the playoff format, and the fact that Real Salt Lake barely edged its way into the playoffs, but RSL played great soccer when it mattered most, while the Crew bumbled and stumbled to the finish line and ultimately paid for its inconsistency.

Click to continue reading...

Friday is here and we are faced with the somewhat surprising reality that the first team eliminated from this year's MLS playoffs is the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew. You can complain all you want about the playoff format, and the fact that Real Salt Lake barely edged its way into the playoffs, but RSL played great soccer when it mattered most, while the Crew bumbled and stumbled to the finish line and ultimately paid for its inconsistency.

Click to continue reading...

Edgar Castillo will join the U.S. men's national team for the first time when he meets up with the squad for its upcoming friendlies against fellow World Cup participants Slovakia and Denmark, Castillo told Mexican media on Saturday evening. Sources confirmed the call-up to SBI on Sunday.

Click to continue reading...

Edgar Castillo will join the U.S. men's national team for the first time when he meets up with the squad for its upcoming friendlies against fellow World Cup participants Slovakia and Denmark. Castillo revealed that he has been called up for the U.S. friendlies in post-game interviews with Mexican media on Saturday evening.

Click to continue reading...

Braga continued their dominance of the top Portuguese clubs with a hard fought 2-0 victory over Benfica to move back into top spot in the Portuguese Superliga. Hugo Viana opened the scoring for Braga in the first half on a penalty kick and Paulo Cesar scored in the second as Braga handed Benfica its first loss of the campaign and it was also the first time Benfica has been held off the Click to continue reading...

After three consecutive years suffering playoff heartbreak against the Revolution, the Fire will try to extend their playoff winning streak against the Revs to two series this Sunday, when the two sides meet at Gillette Stadium for Game 1 (1 p.m. on FSC) of their two game Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup.

Click to continue reading...

The draw for the quarterfinals of the Danish Cup has been made, with Michael Parkhurst and Nordsjaelland taking on Silkeborg in one of two all-Superliga matchups. Click to continue reading...

Benfica continue their roll in the Portuguese Superliga with another crushing defeat of a portuguese side. This time the team to feel the wrath of the Eagles was Nacional da Madeira who went down to an embaressing defeat 6-1. Oscar Cardozo had the hat trick scoring goals in the 17th, 48th and 89th minute the latter two on the PK, while Saviola chipped in a brace in the 40th and 61st minute. Click to continue reading...

FC Porto have gained ground on Superliga leaders Braga after their 3-2 victory over last place Academica. The goals in this matchup all came after the 65th minute mark when Porto jumped to a 2-0 lead on goals by Mariano Gonzalvez and Ernesto Farias in a two minute span at the 65th minute mark. Academica cut the lead to one when M. Click to continue reading...

Sporting Braga's perfect run in the Portuguese league has come to an end in the most unlikely of places, Rio Ave. The home side came out quickly in the game and took an early lead when Joao Tomas scored in the 9th minute. Braga then scored an equalizer when defender Evaldo put in the marker in the 34th minute. Click to continue reading...

Belenenses and Olhanense opened Week 8 of the Superliga (Liga Sagres) with a scoreless draw. The long layoff from action looked to be a big part of the game as both teams looked a tad rusty. Week 8 will continue today with Braga looking to maintain their perfect run to the season against Rio Ave Click to continue reading...

        El Guadalajara atraves del equipo Chivas femenil forma parte de la Liga Mexicana de Futbol Femenil, dentro del torneo, Superliga femenil, siendo las actuales campeonas del torneo, al derrotar en la final, en el Clausura 2009, al equipo Andrea`s Soccer, final celebrada en el Estadio Nemesio Diez, de Toluca.

Click to continue reading...

Benfica continue their chase of Braga with a victory of over Pacos Ferreira 3-1. Benfica jumped out in front early as David Luiz scored three minutes into the contest before Carlos Martins and Oscar Cardozo with his league leading eighth goal gave Benfica a 3-0 halftime lead. Maykon got one back for Pacos but it was too little too late as Benfica remain two points behind league leaders Braga Click to continue reading...

Braga continue their fine form in the Portuguese League with a commanding 2-0 victory over Setubal. Paulo Cesar and Hugo Viana scored for Braga in the second half as Braga's perfect run to the season stays intact. Braga are 7-0-0 with two of the victories coming against two of the big three. Click to continue reading...

D.C. United will call up MLS pool goalkeeper Chris Sharpe for this weekend's game against Chivas USA. With Josh Wicks out for at least a month with a dislocated shoulder and MCL sprain and 18-year old Bill Hamid not eligible for League games, the team is in need of a backup for rookie Milos Kocic.

Click to continue reading...

The Playoff picture is coming into focus as the season comes to a close. Currently the Fire are in a pretty good spot. Second place in the East by 4 points with three games left in the season.
For those who are not familiar with the MLS Playoff format, here are the basics:
-Eight teams make the playoffs
-Top two teams from each conference make it
-After the top teams, the next four teams with the most points take the wildcard spots
-The divisions of the wildcard teams does not matter

4 points can be made up quickly.

Click to continue reading...

Edgar Castillo is an American, born and raised in New Mexico, but there were few American fans rooting for him two years ago when he made the decision to play for the Mexican national team.

A lot has changed for Castillo in the two years since. He has switched professional clubs, joining Mexican giant Club America before joining current club (and SuperLiga champions)Tigres UANL on loan.

Click to continue reading...

Edgar Castillo is an American, born and raised in New Mexico, but there were few American fans rooting for him two years ago when he made the decision to play for the Mexican national team.

A lot has changed for Castillo in the two years since. He has switched professional clubs, joining Mexican giant Club America before joining current club (and SuperLiga champions)Tigres UANL on loan.

Click to continue reading...

Falcao scored an early marker on a header in the 3rd minute and Porto hung on for the rest of the match as they defeat Sporting 1-0. Sporting now have lost two of their first six matchups while Porto moves into a tie with Benfica for second with the Eagles yet to play this week and are five points behind leaders Braga Click to continue reading...

Braga continue their perfect run in the Portuguese Superliga with a late victory over Olhanense in Week 6 action. Braga got a late marker from Alan in the 90+ minute to preserve their strong start to the season. Braga sit atop the Portuguese league with a 6-0-0 record. Click to continue reading...

Braga continue their unbeaten run in the Superliga (Liga Sagres) this season with a 1-0 victory over defending Champions Porto. Alan scored in the 70th minute for Braga in what was a tight defensive affair. Braga now have defeated two of the big three this season and if they can defeat the third in Benfica this could be a very interesting season for the men from the Minho region. Click to continue reading...

Image via Chicgo Fire

This week's guest on the Jared Montz Soccer Podcast is Chris Rolfe of the Chicago Fire. Chris recently scored a great goal that is up for MLS Goal of the Week, his team is pushing to win the MLS Supporter's Shield, and a few weeks ago it was announced he has signed and will be transferring to Danish Superliga side Aalborg at the end of the year.

Click to continue reading...

If indeed, as Goff says, MLS 2010 will run from 3/25/2010 to 10/24/2010 with a two-week break for the group stage of the World Cup and no games on the days of the World Cup semis (Tue/Wed July 6 and 7) and final (Sunday, July 11), that's going to compress things a bit. But it could, if done right, manage the effect of those pesky midweek games.

Click to continue reading...

Good evening folks. It's been a rather slow day around the soccer world but there has been plenty of talk on one subject that has been pretty hot since late August, the possibility of a MLS-2. But more on that in a bit. And I have a link about SuperLiga below that is definitely worth a read.

I wanted to kickoff tonight's thoughts/links with another look at the season awards.

Click to continue reading...

Benfica continue its torrid scoring pace in the Superliga with a crushing 4-0 defeat of Belenenses. Javier Saviola with his first as a Benfica player, Cardozo, Ramires and Javi Garcia all chipped in markers for Benfica who prepare to take on Everton in UEFA Europa League play Click to continue reading...

Porto crushed Leixoes in Superliga action 4-1 in Week 4. Porto avenge last seasons lost at the Dragao to Leixoes in great fashion as Varela, Hulk, Rolando and Falcao got the markers before Leixoes got a late marker from Pouga to break the shutout. Porto now get ready for action in the Champions League this week Click to continue reading...

Guimaraes start off with a victory in Week 4 action in the Superliga against Naval. Guimaraes defeated visiting Naval 3-0 with goals from Roberto, Gustavo and Meireles, Naval looked to get their season back in gear after replacing their head coach but it was not meant to be Click to continue reading...

A few weeks ago I wrote a post examining the prospects of the most likely challengers for MLS Cup. By not mentioning New England Revolution, I had quietly written the off - quite logical, given their poor start and the continued absence of Taylor Twellman - and condemned them to a season of disappointment and introspection.

Click to continue reading...

Chicago Fire and US National Team forward Chris Rolfe will be joining Danish SuperLiga club Aalborg when the transfer window reopens in January. "This is a good time for this, because we are in a good position for the playoffs, and I know Chris wants to win a championship with us," Fire technical director Frankie Klopas said. Click to continue reading...

Yes Fire fans, Mr. ESPN is leaving the Fire in the January transfer window. So for those of you who hate soap operas, I'm sorry. As the Chicago Fire World Turns will continue on and I'm sure that the drama will be top notch.

As my colleague Matthew, has punctually stated in his recent article "I Wish I Had A Crystal Ball," the Fire are on the verge of a possible exodus of players with the question marks and explanation points surrounding the exits and of Blanco, McBride, Rolfe, Pappa, Soumare, Prideaux, Segares, Conde and even Dennis Hamlett.

Click to continue reading...

Goal.com's Greg Lalas has an exclusive with the Chicago Fire's Chris Rolfe. Rolfe will be joining Aalborg Boldspilklub of the Danish Superliga in January.
So far in 2009, Rolfe has played in all 24 Fire matches, but early on he was coming off the bench for Denis Hamlett's squad. He also has been used in the midfield more so than his customary role up front. Click to continue reading...