Real Madrid resumed their 2009-10 Spanish Primera Division (aka La Liga) season on Saturday, November 21, 2009 with a match against Racing Santander. They could temporarily go top of the table with a win as Barcelona were playing the late match on Saturday. Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

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by TRAVIS CLARK

After three years of World Cup qualifying, the 32-team tournament field is set for next summer. Attention now turns to the December 4 draw in Cape Town, when the 32 nation field will learn their fate.

It was a hectic day across several continents as the final six spots were sewn up.

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by TRAVIS CLARK

After three years of World Cup qualifying, the 32-team tournament field is set for next summer. Attention now turns to the December 4 draw in Cape Town, when the 32 nation field will learn their fate.

It was a hectic day across several continents as the final six spots were sewn up.

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Antar Yahia became the hero of Algeria as they beat Egypt. His superb volley off a Ziani cross in the first half made the difference. The Fennecs enter the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

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Donovan's goal came in the Aug. 8 game against New England and was one of 12 he scored during the regular season.

His stunning left-footed volley beat out an Alecko Eskandarian effort and eight other finalists. It's the first time a Donovan goal has received the award.

Compare the 10 best strikes (as voted by fans) here:

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Date: Saturday October 24th 2009
Ground: Bill Stokeld Stadium
Match: Carlton Town 5 Leek Town 2 HT: 2-1 ATT: 97
Gent 26, Ball 38 Jenkins 64p, Whitman 73, 76: Johnson 1, Cope 89
Additional: Entrance £7, Programme £1.50, Coffee/Tea £0.80

Bill Stokeld Stadium in pictures

Leek Town were in need of a win here.

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The season has got to end sometime. And for the Seattle Sounders, the script could have had a better ending on a dream season -- one that would have culminated hoisting the MLS Cup in front of the Sounders faithful at Qwest Field on November 22. Unfortunately for the Emerald City, it was not to be, as Brian Ching and the Houston Dynamo had other plans.

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Steven Gerrard's hotly-disputed second-half penalty rescued a point for Liverpool but did little to lift the pressure on boss Rafael Benitez.
It is just one win now in nine matches for the Reds and they must be grateful for the two-week international break which will allow the dust to settle on their faltering season. Click to continue reading...

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Birmingham was hard done by Peter Walton's decision to award a PK after the French striker went down in the box from a tackle by Lee Carsley. Problem was Carsley never touched him. Steven Gerrard subbing for the injured Riera converted the penalty and Liverpool scraped a draw.

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Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Insua
Lucas Mascherano
Benayoun Kuyt Riera
Ngog
Goals:
Ngog 13'
Chucho 26'
Jerome 45+3'
Gerrard 71' (pen)
The beach ball season rolls on. That's seven league games without a win against Birmingham.
And both sides will feel cheated. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool failed to close the gap on Chelsea tonight as they could only manage a two all draw against Birmingham at Anfield.
David Ngog opened the scoring for the Reds with a thunderous volley into the roof of the net on 12mins.
However Birmingham were soon level when Christian Benitez Headed a goal from a free kick on 28mins. Click to continue reading...

To recap:

* David Ngog opened the scoring with a stunning volley from six yards after some good Liverpool pressure.

* Liverpool concede the equalizer from a set-piece: Brum get three headers in the box, the last by Chucho Benitez past Pepe Reina.

* Albert Riera aggravated his hamstring injury (again) and had to come off.

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So it feels like only a day ago I was previewing this round and then it was all over. Oh that's right, because I did only preview it on Saturday. But anyway, it might have been one short-sharp round with all the games over in a matter of hours - but what a round. Goals everywhere - and not just from one team as in last week's game - and interesting results for the top-six. Click to continue reading...

Landon Donovan's second-half penalty kick proved to be the difference as the Los Angeles Galaxy edged Chivas USA, 1-0, on Sunday to take the series by a goal.

Mike Magee drew the vital penalty when he ran onto a Donovan pass before being crashed into by Chivas USA defender Yamith Cuesta.

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The Major League Soccer Playoffs wrapped up its Conference Semifinal round on Sunday, November 8, 2009 as the Los Angeles Galaxy faced Chivas USA. The score was 2-2 on aggregate heading into the second leg. Here's a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Los Angeles Galaxy beats Chivas USA 1-0 (3-2 on aggregate) Video Highlights (to be added later)

1st Half

The Galaxy came out aggressive and had chances early.

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Galaxy 0 Chivas USA 0

The Galaxy have had the better of this game so far and by all rights should be leading.

A 25-yard Chris Klein volley from a Landon Donovan cross in the 35th minute was perhaps the best Galaxy chance, requiring as it did an agile punch by Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton to send it over the bar.

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Small but raucous crowd at the Jalak Harupat Stadium, something the Singaporean players will be used to. Well, the small crowd anyway!
1' - Munawar goes close for Indonesia with a 20 yard drive
3' - bright start by Indonesia with their #9 going close with a header
This is the first chance most of us have had to see the lads who have spent the last couple of years in Uruguay
6' - Syamsir Alam goes down under a challenge with the Singapore keeper Neezam
8' - hmm, should Indonesia have had a penalty? Click to continue reading...

The UEFA Europa League had a full set of group stage matches on Thursday, November 5, 2009 including Everton v Benfica. Here's a recap along with video highlights of the match.

Benfica beats Everton 2-0 Video Highlights

Everton hosted Benfica looking to avenge a 5-0 defeat in the last matchday.

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FC Barcelona has essentially put their Champions League qualification at risk by drawing against the Russian champions. With this draw we stand at second in standing and have a chance to end the night at third in overall standing if there is anything other than a draw in the match against Inter and Kiev. Click to continue reading...

The U.S. Under-17 men's national team will look to extend its winning streak to three games today when it takes on Italy in the second round of the Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria (10pm, ESPN360.com).

The Americans defeated Malawi and United Arab Emirates to reach this stage, and now face a strong Italian team that rolled to the second round.

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Here are a few links to get your day started...
The 'Players Only' section of the Chicago Tribune did a fun little piece with Fire midfielders John Thorrington and Logan Pause the other day. Thorrington interviewed Pause for the entry, asking Logan all sorts of things in rapid-fire format. Click to continue reading...

17 '- Manchester United have effort cleared off the line. 0-0
20 '- Hamka Persisam sends free kick into orbit. Pipat quiet
23 '- Persisam Pipat break and tries to split the two Defenders but Ronald Fagundez pass is behind the Thai International
29 '- Pipat has a pop from 20 yards and the ball still Is not come down yet
30 '- Persisam have spent serious money on their defense, Hamka, Usep and M Roby but there is absolutely no presurring on The Edge of the box
33 '- Syamsul Arief forces a smart save from keeper Persisam, in the following ref Melee spot kick gives Manchester
36 '- Leonardo' Zada 'Martin strikes home the perfect pen for his 4th goal of the season. Click to continue reading...

Year end award nominees are coming out, and while no Wizards players are up the big awards, 3 Wizards are nominated for 2 awards.
Davy Arnaud and Claudio Lopez are both up twice for goal of the year. Arnaud's first blast against Toronto on the opening week of the season is one of his two nominated goals. Click to continue reading...

Interesting story in Bild recently, suggesting that Fabio Capello has been asking Stuart Pearce to keep an eye on Werder Bremen's 23 year old attacking mid/forward Aaron Hunt, who you can see above scoring twice for Werder Bremen (in white) this weekend. The second goal (which tied the game at 2-2) is an absolute cracker of a chest-volley combo.

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A few years ago Toni Kroos was hailed as the next big thing in German football. He won the best player award at the 2007 U17 World Cup, joined Bayern Munich and was promised the #10 jersey. Far from claiming the shirt he instead commuted between Bayern's bench and the reserves. Meanwhile other next big things popped up, won youth tournaments, first team starting spots and call ups to the German national team.

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I'll get A few things up later, but for now, things are still accumulating nicely... Let's start with Denny Landzaat's classy Kakkerlakken consolation from yesterday. The trick is, you must watch through the entire highlight package to see it. You had to know I was gonna allude to this match somehow. Click to continue reading...

You wouldn't have know that it was an 8:00 am game on a Monday no less with the level of play from both the La Crescent Lancers and Orono Spartans. Each team played hard from the get-go with plenty of action in the first semifinal of the day of the Minnesota State High School Soccer Semifinals held at the Metrodome.

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You wouldn't have know that it was an 8:00 am game on a Monday no less with the level of play from both the La Crescent Lancers and Orono Spartans. Each team played hard from the get-go with plenty of action in the first semifinal of the day of the Minnesota State High School Soccer Semifinals held at the Metrodome.

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The trouble with playing the big sides is that the games can be a bit dull. Typically said big side keeps the ball, Fulham stand off, keep shape, but don't do much going the other way. It can make for a painful watching experience, a reminder of everything Fulham are not and may never be.

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Liverpool traveled to play Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday, October 31, 2009. After their huge win last weekend against Manchester United, Liverpool looks to continue their recent good form.

Fulham beats Liverpool 3-1 Video Highlights

1st Half

Liverpool started out dominating possession and chances in the match.

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The north London derby of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in recent years has been one of the marquee matches in the English Premier League. Both clubs have looked strong in the 2009-10 season and Saturday's match took place at the Emirates. Here's a recap of the EPL matches from Saturday, October 31, 2009 along with video highlights.

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Liverpool full-back, Emiliano Insua, 20, is looking to add to his midweek goal - a sensational long-range volley struck against Arsenal in the fourth round of the League Cup at Ashburton Grove.
The burgeoning Argentinean, who has one international cap, was delighted to ripple the net in the first half, despite his side going on to lose 2-1 due to a second half Nicklas Bendtner effort. Click to continue reading...

Brad Friedel's understudy Brad Guzan made the most of a rare appearance for Aston Villa, saving one penalty kick in regulation time and three PKs in the tiebreaker in a win over Sunderland that sends Villa to the English League Cup quarterfinals. In Scotland, DaMarcus Beasley saw his first action of the season. Click to continue reading...

Goals from Fran Merida and Nicklas Bendtner saw Arsenal edge past Liverpool in an entertaining encounter in the Carling Cup.
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Arsene Wenger was reluctant to let Fran Merida go out on loan and the Spanish youngster repaid his manager's confidence by turning out a magical performance against Liverpool.

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Another fun night of Carling Cup action at the Grove saw Arsenal go through to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Liverpool.

As expected the team was a mix of youth and experience. Nicklas Bendtner, Eduardo and Samir Nasri got minutes under their belt to get themselves fit, at the back Senderos and Sylvester provided a solid foundation while Lukasz Fabianski returned in goal.

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