By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Feb 10, 2012) US Soccer Players -- With Fabio Capello opting not to continue as England manager this week, the interplay between the coach and the administration is once again the topic du jour in world soccer. Whether it's for club or country, the job role of the head coach has historically been a source of friction.

On Thursday, world soccer's governing body released the following statement after more than 70 soccer fans were killed following the Al-Ahly - Al-Masry Egyptian Premier League game on Wednesday, February 2nd. FIFA is deeply saddened by the tragic incidents which led to the death of football fans and others at last night's match in Port Said.

For those of you who missed the Copa Del Rey matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid, you missed some of the best soccer the modern world has to offer. Unfortunately,... Read more »

STORY OF THE DAY
James Montague of the New York Times with an article on one of the surprise teams in all of world soccer right now - Ironi Kiryat Shmona in Israel.
Argentine-American Bryan Gerzicich is a key member of the team.
LANDON DONOVAN V CLINT DEMPSEY
FA Cup Match
-Fri Jan 27
Everton v Fulham - live at 2pm CT on Fox Soccer
TEAM USA - EL EQUIPO DE TODOS
The team is done with the annual January training camp.

Barca holds off Madrid rally to reach cup semis World Soccer Yahoo! Sports.

Barcelona once again got the better of their closest rivals in La Liga by knocking out Real Madrid in the quarter finals of the Copa Del Rey. After taking a two goal lead over Real, Barcelona were pegged back to 2-2 as the game finished in a draw.

Surprising nobody, Argentina and Barcelona midfielder Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or on Monday, world soccer's highest honor. This is Messi's third Ballon d'Or. "It's a huge pleasure to win the third time, a big honour," Messi said. "I want to thank the teammates, players and coaches that voted for me.

Doesn't that sound fun?!?!? Apparently, an esteemed panel of world soccer scribes (including a couple of NSC pals from England) thought so. They have combined to issue a ranking of the 100 best players on the rock.Before you go nose-dive into the link to check if some American or another made the list: nope, they didn't, zero.

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The aim of the award-winning international soccer blog Pitch Invasion has been to publish thoughtful, long-form writing that digs well below the headlines, and explores the culture of sport, the engagement of fans with the spectacle of world soccer and the game's forgotten history.

Oliver Sparrow and Eric Beard had the pleasure of spending an hour with esteemed author and journalist Jonathan Wilson on the AFR Podcast. Jonathan writes for The Guardian, The Independent, Sports Illustrated, World Soccer, and FourFourTwo. He is also the editor of a quarterly publication called The Blizzard, which is filled with content from some of the biggest names in football journalism.

This could be the first step in the Americanization of the game. Probably, few people would be willing to call it that, but some purists feel the pull. It's like a riptide over the Atlantic Ocean.
And, yet, other purists say they're ready for it.
The announcement was made this week by FIFA President, Sepp Blatter.

This is the first piece for TSG by Miriti Murungi's Nutmeg Radio; oops, Nutmeg Radio's Miriti Murungi. Murungi also hosts a rather, make that The Confidential podcast, here. In his spare time, he tutors budding archery proteges in his sleep.

Clean cut no more. MLS & Brek Shea, 2018?

About time, in my book, but then I'm an embittered Englishman (you'll recall the robbery that happened to the nation at the last World Cup): BERLIN (MCT) -- World soccer chief Sepp Blatter expects goal-line technology to be introduced next season, and it also should be featured at the next

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 5, 2011) US Soccer Players -- For those of you still following the story of FIFA's bid for reform, earlier today world soccer's governing body announced a delay in releasing what is now being commonly referred to as 'the ISL file.' For those needing a quick reminder, the expectation is that the release of that file will show who received money during the 1990's when International Sports and.

by Adam Bate

Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't look like an underdog. He doesn't feel like one and he most certainly doesn't act like one. But this weekend he is the player more than any other who will be tasked with the role of challenging Barcelona's footballing oligarchy.
And yet, don't expect people to thank him for it.

Egypt ushered in the Bob Bradley era this week with their friendly versus Brazil.
John Duerden of Sports Illustrated writes of the task ahead of Bradley in his tenure with the Pharaohs.
Even two hours before kickoff, the Egyptian fans were in full voice, chanting a soccer version of a refrain familiar to anyone who had been in Tahir Square earlier this year as the Arab Spring reached its zenith.

Despite it being an international friendly, no one really expected the US to come out and beat France. Although the US put in a hardworking effort, the same lack of scoring and midfield play again doomed the US to a loss under new-ish boss Jurgen Klinsmann. I still stand by my view of not judging him until World Cup Qualifying begins and we get a look at a full, veteran, "A" side US team.

For Jack Taylor, the referee for the 1974 World Cup final, handling players was much like handling the clientele at the Wolverhampton butcher shop he worked at throughout his career.

"I think my experience behind the counter at the butcher's shop helped because it made me fairly good at chatting people up," he wrote in his 1976 autobiography, Jack Taylor: World Soccer Referee.

Here are the top 10 wackiest hairstyles worn by world soccer players: 1. Fabricio Coloccini – The current Newcastle captain is enjoying a great season at the heart of their defence alongside Steven Taylor. Coloccini struggled when he first arrived,...
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By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Nov 9, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Faced with what their own top elected official has described as "the need for change and the urgent need for sweeping reforms," what world soccer's governing body really needs right now is another committee. At least that's the takeaway from FIFA president Sepp Blatter's decision to "put to life" the Strategic Committee, one that hasn't met in over two years.

Sonny Silooy was a terrific footballer who climbed to the pinnacle of world soccer with AFC Ajax and the Dutch National Team (that's him with Edgar Davids in the 1996 UEFA Champions League Final). He also broke my finger on Tuesday. Well maybe, as the fallout from this most recent debacle has yet to be determined.

A depressing Derby...for one man...

TSG's Eric Giardini recounts the horrors of Sunday's Roma-Lazio Derby

Heading into Sunday afternoon's Derby della Capitale I had every intention of writing an unbiased review of one of the most hotly contested derbies in world soccer.

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Oct 18, 2011) US Soccer Players -- World Soccer's governing body owes us an announcement later this month. FIFA will explain how they plan on reforming their organization after almost a year of discontent. Though there's a good case for dating it even earlier, the obvious trouble started with the World Cup hosting announcement and carried through a presidential election cycle.

At the end of the second leg the Quarter Final of 1991 Champion League (or as it used to be called, European Cup), Chris Waddle almost scored a historical "Maradonian" goal. Olympic Marseille was already leading 1-0 vs. AC Milan,
That chance was not so historical and wonderful just for its brilliant dribbling and running skills of it, that was the least part of it, it was a great moment by itself,
We are talking about 1991 AC Milan, when Milan dominated the world of football.

Michel Platini has said he is at last confident Ukraine can host Euro 2012.
After several 'last chance' warnings over the past three years, the UEFA boss can tear a few fewer hairs out now the four stadia do seem to be on track for next summer.
"A year ago, we were deciding whether to leave four or two cities," Platini told reporters on a tour of Kharkiv.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Sep 15, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Twice a week, USSoccerplayers.com will ask some of the questions in need of an answer in world soccer. Tony Edwards will give you his thoughts, but what we're looking for is a deeper discussion. Your comments are welcome, as we try to get at what's really in play from the American game to the highest levels of FIFA.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Sep 20, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Twice a week, USSoccerplayers.com will ask some of the questions in need of an answer in world soccer. Tony Edwards will give you his thoughts, but what we're looking for is a deeper discussion. Your comments are welcome, as we try to get at what's really in play from the American game to the highest levels of FIFA.

The 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup concluded in Ravenna, Italy last Sunday with Russia claiming their first world soccer title by beating the winners of the last five editions of the contest, Brazil, in the final. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.

With cooler temperatures descending upon many of us, some soccer players will take their game to their local indoor courts. For those looking for new shoes for the upcoming indoor season, here is a review of the all new PUMA Speed Star indoor soccer shoe (now available in Men's and Women's versions at World Soccer [.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Sep 15, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Twice a week, USSoccerplayers.com will ask some of the questions in need of an answer in world soccer. Tony Edwards will give you his thoughts, but what we're looking for is a deeper discussion. Your comments are welcome, as we try to get at what's really in play from the American game to the highest levels of FIFA.

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Sep 13, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Twice a week, USSoccerplayers.com will ask some of the questions in need of an answer in world soccer. Tony Edwards will give you his thoughts, but what we're looking for is a deeper discussion. Your comments are welcome, as we try to get at what's really in play from the American game to the highest levels of FIFA.

By Chris Wright

Now available from the Shakhtar Donetsk club shop as of this very morning, a full range of canine-sized replica kits to give your mutt a new 'leash' of life (sorry)...

<Insert obligatory 'Ukranian football has really gone to the dogs' pun here>

Looks like very 'paw' quality merchandise to me (sorry.

The Philly Soccer Page " The tinker toy lineup boost
Many Philadelphia Union fans find it maddening how Peter Nowak tinkers with lineups. Next week, it could pay off.

In Irene's Wake | Union Dues

The Union get an unexpected by week, due to hurricane Irene. After the players and staff bail out they get an extra few days to work before heading to Rio Tinto on Sept 3rd to face Real Salt Lake.

Watching Toronto FC vs. FC Dallas the last 2 nights (1st night got cancelled because of lightning strikes close to the stadium) compete in CONCACAF Champions League took some time to get used to. Usually, FC Dallas plays in red, but last night, they were dressed in blue.
Toronto's main theme color is red.

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 16, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Strange times once again at FIFA. World soccer's governing body is insisting on holding everyone accused of impropriety from outright ethical lapses to violating the organizations rules to swift and arguably harsh account. No Confederation has been hit harder than CONCACAF as FIFA attempts a cleanup, and the latest from FIFA House is that now CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer will face.

MLS is on the rise at the turnstyle, too...
2011 has been a banner year at gate across Major League Soccer. The league is averaging more than 17,300 fans per game in 2011. This is the first time since the league's inagural season that average attendance has crested the 17k figure. Perhaps even more impressive, the median attendance in 2011 is at an all time high, easily surpassing the previous high (1996) of approximately 16,100.

(Summary is not available.)

2011 has been a banner year at gate across Major League Soccer. The league is averaging more than 17,300 fans per game in 2011. This is the first time since the league's inagural season that average attendance has crested the 17k figure. Perhaps even more impressive, the median attendance in 2011 is at an all time high, easily surpassing the previous high (1996) of approximately 16,100.

"(Spain) is so hot right now." -- Mugatu, "Zoolander."Holders of the European Cup and World Cup. Winners this summer of both the U-19 and U-21 European championship. On top of that Barcelona are holders of the Champions League trophy.Seems like everyone associated with world soccer wants to grove a little soul patch, strap a balaclava around their necks, cultivate three days worth of beard

On one hand, it's great some of the best club teams in the world come to the U.S. to play MLS teams as warm-ups for their own leagues. These teams are in their early-season practices getting ready for their respective seasons and U.S. Soccer fans are treated to seeing some of the world's best Soccer players.

I went to lunch yesterday and, by the time I had finished with my blackened fish sandwich, the domestic soccer world was standing on its head.

I have a strong suspicion that we'll know who the new U.S. coach is by midday. So, I'll save the bulk of any comments / commentary until then.