Lately he's been a man on a mission, and the Republic of Ireland international is hoping to continue his current form. That's right, I'm talking about Aston Villa center back Richard Dunne. The man is doing it all for Aston Villa right now, and it is paying major dividends for his club.

Let's rewind back two weeks you know, before that extremely boring international weekend?

Everybody know someone who cohabitates with someone who supports a different sports team than them. For instance my brother-in-law is a die-hard Giants fan while his son bleeds Jets green; even though they rarely play each other, the trash talking can get definitely get heated (in a good way).

As mentioned before, I'm skipping the high school season; in this case because I've got other regularly occuring activies that happen the same days as high school games - and frankly sometimes I just need a year away (see many many rants about high school soccer). But I am working games at the same sport-centered school I've been fortunate enough to work for the last two winters.

Let the trash talking begin ahead of the Arsenal vs Spurs derby.

Robbie Keane bites the bullet as he claimed that Spurs are ready to overtake Arsenal. A feat last achieved 14 years ago.

"We are at the same level as Arsenal now. If you look at the two squads, you look at us and think we're definitely on a par but that will only be judged at the end of the season.

This kid does not take trash talk lightly. If you mouth off to him, he will chase you down the length of the pitch and smash into you like a freight train, even if you have absolutely zero to do with what's happening on the ball. And then he'll get up and walk away, satisfied that you want ever try and express yourself vocally in his presence again.

I'm still going with the Crew. They'll need to come out with a positive attitude and some creativity to break down Salt Lake, but there's no question they're capable of it.
A lot has been made of Schelotto getting benched, but I don't think it will be a problem in the end. Warzycha's approach to this series was to make it two different games - defensive and nasty in Salt Lake, and wide open and attacking in Columbus.

It's on. The first ever full meeting of the 5 Designated Players families is finally set to happen at MLS Cup. Ives, Bruce, Adam, Beans, Dunny & the rest of the TOW crew will be posted up along with yours truly at Kells Pub from 9pm on Friday night. If you're in town and have $5 to spare (they charge a cover on Friday nights, out of our control) come through and hang, drink & talk trash with us; we're looking to make some new friends and meet some old ones.

photo credit: wonker

Roy Keane totally put his old teammate on blast today when he started running his mouth about Mark Hughes being fired from Manchester City. Like the title says...I just love it when people say how much they hate someone else. For example...I HATE Shaq.