A little over a decade ago, South Melbourne FC took part in the FIFA Club World Championship as champions of Oceania, trying their luck in a group containing England's Manchester United, Brazil's Vasco da Gama and Mexico's Nexaca. South Melbourne could then claim to be Australia's most successful club, winners of four National Soccer League titles.

Beckham's best option is to stay with the Los Angeles Galaxy and help establish it among the world's elite teams.
In LA, he has the chance to go to the FIFA Club World Cup and build the Galaxy's reputation.

Clemente Lisi previews the US vs. Mexico exhibition on Wednesday.
A new era starts Wednesday when Jurgen Klinsmann makes his debut as United States National Team coach against old rivals Mexico at Lincoln Financial Field. The friendly in Philadelphia will be the first game for the USA since losing to Mexico in the Gold Cup final in June.

North Korea's Kim Su Gyong, left, and United States' Lauren Cheney battle for the ball Tuesday during their nations' World Cup opener.

Associated Press Writer Nancy Armour has more on the late blooming Bruin and her World Cup dream:

HEIDELBERG, Germany (AP) -- When 11-year-old Lauren Cheney and her teammates went to watch the United States play Nigeria at the 1999 World Cup, they brought along playbooks so they could write down what they would do when it was their turn on soccer's biggest stage.

Editors's Note: The US Women are on the ground in Germany, but how will their back four fare on the pitch?

TSG guest columnist Maura Gladys takes a look. Offer her some feedback.

Christie Rampone, has nearly all the "Been there, done that" of the back four.

New York Red Bulls-Chivas USA, 4 p.m. Galavision live, 5 p.m. on Prime

Bulls brain trust: Thierry Henry, coach Hans Backe, and Rafael Marquez meet the press in Montreal before New York's midweek friendly for the Frenchman's French-Canadian fans against the Impact (AP Photo).

There are many things that will be remembered about the 2010-2011 Serie A season, both fondly and infamously. Of course, people will remember Milan's Scudetto and Bari's relegation, Inter and Roma's thrashings in the Champions' League and Napoli's dramatic late goals. Here's a series that focuses on some of the other things that should be remembered about a fantastic season, full of both the bizarre and the unbelievable.

As if you weren't already fired up about tonight's winner-goes-to-the-World-Cup quarterfinal match against host Guatemala? We've got some pregame tidbits to help make sure that all of your watch party conversations are substantial:

• While the U.S. will be vying for its eighth-straight FIFA U-20 World Cup appearance, Guatemala will be looking for its first.