Emile Heskey salvaged a point for Aston Villa at Turf Moor.

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A long and exhausting season comes down to one game. On one side, you have the upstart Real Salt Lake, the club that "shouldn't be here." On the other, the star-studded Galaxy, complete with the world's most recognized footballer in David Beckham.

While MLS may have missed out on a marketing maven's dream match-up of Beckham vs.

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One thing about not blogging for a week is you can sit back and watch the hysterical reactions going on in the world of football without feeling like you have to dive in and add your voice. It has been one of those weeks.

First we had the curse of the international break rear its ugly head again, in the form of injuries to Van Persie and Gibbs.

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In the 52nd minute and with Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts sprawled on the turf in pain. (He's up, now, but the lights are still off).

Again, I'm told it's another power "dip" and the sensitive stadium lights take 10 minutes or so to come back on.

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1) I've updated the home/away records for each MLS team in each season through 2009:
Check them out here.
2) If Omar Gonzalez wins the Rookie of the Year award, he'll be the youngest winner ever. He was 20.72 years of age as of July 1st. The current record-holder is Carlos Bocanegra in 2000, at 21. Click to continue reading...

Last night we read that Rubin Kazan's manager had instructed the Russian club's groundskeeper not to trim the grass in the stadium, so that it would slow Barca down. Now, it is quite flattering that other teams feel the need to go to such measures when facing us, but really, it's starting to get a bit old. Click to continue reading...

Well, we didn't win. Houston took our best shot and is still standing. A couple thoughts on last night's game.
1) Houston is *way* more talented than we are, up and down the field. Brad Evans played out of his mind last night, Ljungberg had a good game, our defense was ok, Keller earned his paycheck, that was for sure. Click to continue reading...

Manchester United, Everton, Sunderland, and Birmingham. All of them have entered, but not one of them has exited for the better.

As I've mentioned on many occasions, Turf Moor is one of the worst places for a visiting team to travel to. The crowd is insane, and Burnley always are ready to impress their fans.

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The NFL's Giants Stadium was once a famous venue of American soccer, a must-be-seen place with packed crowds and Pele in the 1970s.

Then the New York MetroStars, later rebranded to Red Bull New York, started playing there almost two decades later in Major League Soccer.

As the Red Bulls laid the final piece of sod today at their new, impressive Red Bull Arena in New Jersey, some current players took the chance to express their feelings about Giants Stadium and the support they (did not) receive there.

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Though the rain may have followed it's way over from Giants Stadium to Red Bull Arena, and the sky was as gray as ever, it could not dampen nor cast a shadow on today's accomplishment. Ladies and Gentlemen, say goodbye to plastic turf; the final piece of sod is in place, and the Red Bulls Kentucky Blue Grass pitch is finally complete.

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Wigan ended Burnley's 100% home record with a good display at Turf Moor.

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This is it.

October 24 will be the end of an era (error?) for New York soccer. Toronto FC will be the final opponent on that cursed rubber pitch that has haunted this franchise for 14 years now. Yes fans, the day has come. It is finally over.

No more unpredictable bounces. No more turf burn.

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Drury Panthers -
Northern Kentucky Norse -
Drury, who have already clinched a GLVC post-season spot with a 10-0 Conference record, put their #3 national ranking on the line today against Northern Kentucky, their closest challenger at 8-2 in the Conference and the #12 ranked team.

The Norse have been looking forward to this game for awhile, as chronicled in the Cinncinnati Examiner, looking at forward Steven Beattie who is nearing a career scoring record.

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Drury Panthers -
Northern Kentucky Norse -
Drury, who have already clinched a GLVC post-season spot with a 10-0 Conference record, put their #3 national ranking on the line today against Northern Kentucky, their closest challenger at 8-2 in the Conference and the #12 ranked team.

The Norse have been looking forward to this game for awhile, as chronicled in the Cinncinnati Examiner, looking at forward Steven Beattie who is nearing a career scoring record.

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A lot of folks have been talking today and yesterday about some green stuff that is getting rolled out in New Jersey. Yes I am talking about the grass that is being installed at the new Red Bull Arena.

Yesterday the first pieces of the grass playing surface were rolled out at the team's new $200 million stadium in Harrison, N.

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Light Rain, via Vanilla Days (Liverpool)

15:30 – Joplin vs West Plains Joplin (MOVED to JUNGE FIELD, VARSITY ONLY, TIME CHANGE)
New Covenant vs Central POSTPONED, replay Thursday, Oct. 22 @ 4:00pm
16:30 – Rogersville vs Marshfield Rogersville
Greenwood vs Cassville POSTPONED, replay TBA
18:00 – Monett vs Carthage Monett South Park
18:00 – Lebanon vs Hillcrest Lebanon
5:30 pm – Catholic vs Bolivar @ Catholic (now VARSITY only, new start time)
5:00 pm – Camdenton vs Parkview @ Camdenton (Now VARSITY only)
18:30 – Washington vs Duchesne Washington
18:30 – Rolla vs Glendale Rolla HS
18:30 – Ozark vs Neosho Ozark HS
Kickapoo vs Waynesville POSTPONED, replay Monday October 19th

And a special note Crocker High School is closed for the remainder of the week, and all soccer games are canceled, due to the FLU!

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Hannover 96 defender Sal Zizzo will be out of action for a substantial amount of time after tearing an ACL on Monday.

Zizzo tore the ligament in practice after his foot got caught in the turf, and it is expected to take six to nine months for recovery, potentially ending the American midfielder's season.

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Hannover 96 defender Sal Zizzo will be out of action for a substantial amount of time after tearing an ACL on Monday.

Zizzo tore the ligament in practice after his foot got caught in the turf, and it is expected to take six to nine months for recovery, potentially ending the American midfielder's season.

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• Missouri S&T Miner's matches at Southern Indiana moved to Goebel's turf facility, no live updates via @minersports ~ http://bit.ly/CBrUW #
• Greenwood's Homecoming game tonight, against Aurora, has been canceled #
• Sunday Nov 1st the Bears take on nationally-ranked Drake at home, 1 pm kickoff.

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• Missouri S&T Miner's matches at Southern Indiana moved to Goebel's turf facility, no live updates via @minersports ~ http://bit.ly/CBrUW #
• Greenwood's Homecoming game tonight, against Aurora, has been canceled #
• Sunday Nov 1st the Bears take on nationally-ranked Drake at home, 1 pm kickoff.

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Welcome to my new piece "The Sweeper" featuring snippets from around the football world told just the way I see it! I'll try to deliver stories previewing the football weekend's hottest topics. Now, for volume 1! Russia v Germany Whenever a football match is about to played in an artificial surface there are two things [. Click to continue reading...

Patrice Evra reckons that Manchester United will play Real Madrid at some point this year in the Champions League, even as early as the next round. With the final at the Bernabéu this season, I know I'm not alone in hoping we play and beat Real Madrid on their own turf.

"I know we will play Real Madrid," said Evra.

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We hear George is off to meet the Prince again, on his turf this time to discuss ‘NASCAR', sure George. George thinks he's onto a winner, he has a club, but the club has debt. No worries though as "The debt on this club is very sound," George is supposed to have stated. I read the ‘transcript' [. Click to continue reading...

The 2009 Joplin Invitational Soccer Tournament returns this weekend with some weather changes as well.

RED DIVISION NAVY DIVISION
Joplin Carthage
Webb City Neosho
College Heights Carl Junction

Friday, October 9

3:30 Joplin vs Webb City
5:30 College Hts.

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• What a gorgeous day for some soccer! Perfect weather. #
• Good stuff. I love my kids but am happy NOT to coach them beyond age 8 RT @trelawrence: Letting go... http://bit.ly/3XTVN8 #
• So ready for a sunny weekend of soccer! Temps in the mid 70's all weekend with no rain. Take it!

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16:30 – 18:30 Rogersville vs Bolivar Log Rog
18:00 – 20:00 Waynesville vs Parkview waynesville, mo
18:00 – 20:00 Camdenton vs Joplin camdenton
18:00 – 20:00 Willard vs Carthage WILLARD
18:00 – 20:00 Catholic vs Marshfield Springfield
18:00 – 21:00 Ozark vs Nixa Ozark, Ozark Turf
18:30 – 20:30 Kickapoo vs Hillcrest Kickapoo High School
18:30 – 20:30 Ft Zumwalt E vs Washington
18:30 – 20:30 Lebanon vs Rolla Lebanon
18:30 – 20:30 Cassville vs College Heights Cassville
18:30 – 20:30 Monett vs Webb City Monett South Park

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There's a promotion on the MLSnet front page that is tough for me to resist - you see, I love "Spot the difference" games.
Unfortunately, actually playing the game probably puts you on the AXE BODY SPRAY!!! mailing list, and I think I'd rather be on the list they were using in "Munich."
Fortunately, we can play Spot the Difference here on BigSoccer! Click to continue reading...

Former Liverpool defender and BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson says the Reds need to choose a defensive system which suits their players and the rigours of Premier League football.
Liverpool have often been criticised for employing a zonal making system when defending set-pieces and Lawrenson believes it is now time manager Rafa Benitez used a hybrid way of defending. Click to continue reading...

Glendale Falcons
Joplin Eagles
In a rescheduled game due to the weather, these long time Ozark Conference foes faced off on the turf in Joplin tonight.

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Just a couple of completely unrelated bits to pass on... Back to the Future? The always excellent Jonathan Wilson (a review of his latest book is coming soon!) looks at the possibility of the return of the libero given the trend towards... Click to continue reading...

Sebastien Bassong was recovering at his London home today after a nasty fall in Tottenham Hotspur's 3-0 loss at Stamford Bridge. Sebastien Bassong - while at Newcastle last season In the second half of the Spurs' 3-0 defeat against Chelsea yesterday, Bassong fell and seemed to hit his head hard on the turf, and seemed to [. Click to continue reading...

Air Force midfielder Bridgett Murphy scores against New Hampshire in the 77th minute of the Falcons' 1-0 victory on Sunday. (photo by George Tanner/ColoradoSoccerNow.com)

COLORADO SPRINGS — Air Force's Bridgett Murphy has been struggling with an ankle injury all year.

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I doubt Eduardo will have realised what a hornets nest he would stir up when he went crashing to the Emirates turf against Celtic last month.
The angry reaction of the Scottish Football Association and UEFA's subsequent two-match ban put ‘diving' under the spotlight. Given the attention it now haS it was inevitable that the weekend's football action would be put under the microscope, with everyone secretly hoping something else would happen to further fuel the debate.

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Hola Geri, what's the joke? We don't know what it is that's making Gerard Pique laugh like that during training, but we'd be laughing too if we had just scored a goal like his last night. And he's not the only Barca boy who scored for his NT...
- With all four Barca players who were called up to Spain (Pique, Puyol, Xavi, Busquets) starting their country's match against Belgium, Gerard Pique scored the third goal as Spain went on to win 5-0. Click to continue reading...

Maybe the most important news for the USMNT is that Landon Donovan is now fully over that swine flu stuff and ready to go get six points in the next week.
In other CONCACAF news, Mexico is training on turf to prepare for a Costa Rica trip.
Over in Europe, some juicy rumors came out -- and were denied -- that Jurgen Klinsmann might be returning to coach the German national team. Click to continue reading...