Dell'Apa: U.S. World Cup bid gains traction as Obama lends support

We've got Beckham. They've got Obama. Say
goodbye to our World Cup bid and make plans to visit the U.S. in 2018. That was The Times of London's take on President Barack Obama's support for the 2018/22 World Cup Bid Committee in the U.S.

40 Years of Teas But No Cups

Tea ladies do not generally hold legendary status at a football club but Kath, who has spent over four decades serving 18 managers, is something of a Tyneside celebrity. Having arrived at St James’ 12 months before that Fairs Cup triumph, Kath provided Joe Harvey his pre-match cuppa and now she does the same for Alan Shearer.

On Second Thoughts: Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle

This famous 1996 contest was entertaining, but any match with such poor defenses will lack a crucial degree of credibility.










I have fond memories of watching this classic with Gregers & Trond in Singapore...-Ed.

Friday MLS Forecast: Week Seven

Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy isn't letting the H1N1 flu hysteria hinder the Friday MLS Forecast ahead of Week Seven.

Spain & Italy: Weekend Previews

La Liga





Serie A

England: Ups and Downs

With the season reaching a climax Sir Alex Ferguson once coined 'squeaky-bum time', skysports.com takes a look at the permutations for the runners and riders at both ends of the table. It's sure to be an intriguing finale in all the divisions.

England: Premier League Weekend Previews & Predictions

Boro host Manchester United in an attempt to avoid the drop, Fulham go over to Chelsea, Manchester City welcome Blackburn, Pompey host Arsenal, Liverpool welcome a nervous Newcastle, Stoke and West Ham clash, Spurs welcome bottom feeders West Brom, Everton go to Sunderland and Wigan welcome Bolton...

Preview

Nick Webster's Predictions

Lawro's Predictions

UEFA Cup: Semi-Final First-Leg Results

Hamburg SV stunned hosts Werder Bremen 1-0 in their UEFA Cup semi-final first leg on Thursday with Piotr Trochowski’s first-half goal putting the visitors in control of the tie.

Brazilian Fernandinho’s second-half equaliser earned Shakhtar Donetsk a 1-1 draw with Dynamo Kiev in the first leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final in Ukraine’s capital on Thursday.

El Clásico Preview: Real Madrid - Barcelona

Kick-off:
Saturday, May 2 2009, 2:00pm EDT

Venue:
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain

U.S. TV: GolTV

It’s the match the whole of Spain have been waiting for. It’s the 158th edition of El Clasico, and one that could very well determine the destination of the 2008-09 league title.

Key Battles
Guillem Balague's Preview

Richard Williams: Stifling of spontaneity can have pleased only the technocrats

Two games eagerly anticipated by neutrals were more notable for chalkboard strategy than emotional engagement.

Michael Owen - Where did it all go wrong?

IMAGINE how Michael Owen will feel when he emerges from the players' tunnel at Anfield on Sunday and glances to his right towards the Kop. Until five years ago, he went up and down those same steps wearing the red of Liverpool, the darling of Anfield, a man with the world at his feet. But on Sunday, Owen returns wearing the black-and-white stripes of Newcastle, the Kop will afford him the same indifference his return has generated in recent seasons and, whether he likes it not, he will go there with his career in ruins.

Jonathan Wilson in the Ukraine

Tonight's Uefa Cup semi-final is Dynamo Kyiv's biggest game in a decade and probably Shakhtar Donetsk's biggest ever.

Dynamo and Shakhtar Donetsk fight for Ukraine supremacy on European stage.

MLS players to face Everton FC in All-Star game

The top players in Major League Soccer will face English Premier League team and FA Cup finalist Everton FC in July's MLS All-Star game at Rio Tinto Stadium.

MLS All-Stars are undefeated in five previous showcases against international competition.

Serie A: Milan search for end-of-season stamina reserves

As one of the best and most physically demanding football seasons in the world enters its final stage, many teams have started to release signs which invite us to think they are at their limit in terms of exhaustion. It happened to Serie A leaders Inter in their Napolitan journey at Stadium San Paolo, last Sunday.

Quotes & Chants of the Week

"He is supposed to be our best ref, but if he's the best, I'd hate to see the worst."
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp after Howard Webb's dubious penalty award to Manchester United saw the champions turn a two-goal deficit into a 5-2 victory.

"How can it be right for top players to be earning £15-20m a year? It's crazy. These wages need to be capped. But I worry that it won't happen because the Premier League and the FA are run by donkeys who don't understand business, who are dazzled by money.''
Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, clearly one for sitting on the fence when it comes to discussing players' wages.

"Our biggest mistake was turning up."
Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia after watching his side capitulate to West Brom.

"I'm not surprised, but it is surprising."
Glenn Hoddle speaking on Alan Brazil's Talk Sport show about the combined tally of 90-odd goals from Barcelona trio Messi, Eto'o & Henry.

"Leighton Baines - I bet you think this song is about you."
Football chant heard at Everton v Man United FA Cup semi-final, to the tune of You're So Vain by Carly Simon.

"We'll never play you again."
Spurs fans to Newcastle after winning 1-0.

The Rest

UEFA Champions League: Manchester United 1 - 0 Arsenal

A 1-0 lead is a decent advantage to take into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, with John O’Shea, of all people, scoring the only goal last night, but it could have been so much better for United. A single goal seemed a disappointing return for a vibrant display that was epitomised by the tenacity of Darren Fletcher, Anderson, Wayne Rooney and the recalled Carlos Tévez, but Arsenal could claim that they had the game’s outstanding performer in Manuel Almunia.

Ronaldo: Referee cost us bigger win

Richard Jolly:
Almunia keeps Arsenal in contention

Richard Williams:
East to see why Tevez is fan favorite

Matt Dickinson:
Arsenal looked raw, callow and bewildered

Paul Hayward:
Wenger's Euro itch may persist


How Manchester United Rated
How Arsenal Rated

Calcio Debate: The End Of Andriy Shevchenko

Goal.com's Subhankar Mondal charts the fall from grace of Andriy Shevchenko and asks what next for the former Ballon d'Or winner…

Phil Holland: Living on the edge

After Monday night's 0-0 stalemate with Portsmouth, Newcastle United fans are coming to terms with the fact that relegation is now a distinct possibility. But while dropping out of the Premier League after 15 years as a top flight club would be a devastating blow for legions of proud Toon supporters, the financial reality of relegation could quickly lead to disaster for the club.

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final: Manchester United vs. Arsenal

Kick-Off: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 2.45 EDT
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
U.S. TV: ESPN2, ESPN360
Preview I
Preview II
Preview III

Sir Alex: We will put on a show against Arsenal

Key Battles

Oliver Kay: Rooney can expose Arsenal's soft center
Lee Dixon: Key Areas
Matt Hughes: Fabregas the key to unlock United's defense
Paul Hayward: Friends united by commitment to attack
Ray Parlour: United always team to beat

Ten Years On: A look back at the 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final
The Manageable Conflict: Sir Alex vs. Arsene Wenger

Manchester United v Arsenal: A history of football warfare

Manchester United and Arsenal's first Champions League meeting brings back memories of some of football's ugliest encounters, stemming from a fierce rivalry.

Amy Lawrence: Bad blood is simmering again as United and Arsenal prepare to lock horns

The fire and brimstone have been missing recently but the prize of a place in the Champions League final may reignite tensions.

Gareth Barry vows not to repeat transfer saga

Gareth Barry insists he will not allow this summer to turn into another protracted transfer saga as he contemplates making the "difficult decision" that will almost certainly culminate in him leaving Aston Villa.

1999 U-17 squad retains special place in U.S. history

Back in 1999, U.S. soccer put together the first U-17 national residency squad. It was an experiment, if you will, a European-style training center, set up in Bradenton, Fla. The mission? Resurrect the slumping game here. Progress for the U.S. national teams, at times slowly, has followed.

Americans in the UK: Europe and Cup Finals on the Horizon

Fulham inched closer to a European spot on Saturday, winning 1-0 over Stoke to close within six points of the final European spot. In Scotland, Rangers defeated St. Mirren to advance to the Scottish Cup final.

The Players

Americans On The Continent: Championship Carlos

Defender Carlos Bocanegra helped lead his Rennes side to the final of the Coupe de France for the first time in 38 years with a 1-0 victory over Grenoble on Tuesday.

The Rest

UEFA Champions League: Barcelona 0 - 0 Chelsea

There can be no sweeter sound for a visiting team at the Nou Camp than the catcalls that filled this vast arena at the final whistle. No side in the world can hope to outplay this Barcelona team of many talents, so, if containing them was the extent of Chelsea’s ambitions, the frustration of the locals was testament to a successful mission that has taken Chelsea to within 90 minutes of another Champions League final against English opposition.

Barcelona players rage at negative, unfair Chelsea

Guardiola frustrated by Chelsea tactics

Richard Williams:
Hiddink tactical nous shackles Messi

Tony Cascarino:
Chelsea not to blame as they park the bus

Sid Lowe:
Barcelona dominant but tongue-tied

How Chelsea Rated
How Barcelona Rated

Ref admits Man Utd penalty was a mistake

Referee Howard Webb has admitted that the penalty which sparked Manchester United's five-goal comeback in their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday was a mistake.

Roberto Gotta in Italy

No baloney, but it's funny how the name "Bologna" evokes memories of everything, outside of Italy, except a successful football team. 45 years have now passed since the local side last won a Scudetto in a memorable play-off against Inter in Rome, and their modern-day battles revolve mostly around trying to avoid becoming a side who push the elevator button up and down every year.

UEFA Champions League Semi-Final: Barcelona vs. Chelsea

Kick-off: Tuesday, April 28 2009, 2:45 EDT
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
U.S. TV: ESPN2, ESPN360
Preview I
Preview II
Preview III

Matt Hughes: Drogba can make the difference
Gabriele Marcotti: Chelsea should probe space behind Alves

A Brief History

Key Battles

10 Reasons for Hiddink to be Fearful

Why the world wants Barca to beat Chelsea

Lionel Messi: A Legend in the Making

At just 21-years-old the Barcelona superstar, who faces Chelsea on Tuesday, is destined to become one of the all-time greats.

Paolo Bandini in Italy

Instead of re-establishing their Champions League credentials, Roma were blown away by La Viola.

Roma blasted by president after crushing defeat at Fiorentina.

Sid Lowe in Spain

Real Madrid are finally in touching distance of the leaders. As their No1 fanatic Tomás Roncero might put it: 'Come out Barça – you're surrounded!'

Relentless Real Madrid scent Barcelona blood in dogged pursuit of title.

Raphael Honigstein in Germany

With his reformist agenda dead, an embarrassing over-dependence on Frank Ribéry and a public falling-out with key players, Klinsmann leaves with his credibility irreparably damaged.

Bayern Munich call time on Jürgen Klinsmann's failed revolution.

England: Football League Review: How it all shakes down after the weekend's action:

Birmingham, Reading and Sheffield United still have it all to play for as the Championship goes to the wire.







Brentford promoted!!

Steve Davis: Red Bulls and Crew suffer epic meltdowns

Sweeping up after the MLS weekend party, here are 10 things I found lying around:

The Joy of Six: European Cup Semi-Finals

From the violence of Dundee United's visit to Rome in 1984 to Milan's evisceration of Real Madrid in 1989, here are six of the most thrilling European Cup semis.

The Six




Roma players let Jim McLean and Walter Smith have it...

The Joy of Six: Great Strike Partnerships

From the renaissance of Kenny Dalglish thanks to Ian Rush to Zdenek Zeman's Foggia dei Miracoli, we reflect on our six favourite strike partnerships.

The Six



Hugo y Emilio...

Italy: R. Mehdi's Serie A Reports

Ranieri was given the kiss of death earlier in the week i.e. the vote of confidence. I'll be amazed if he's still on the Juve bench at the start of next season. He's done a very good of bringing through younger players but his misuse of Giovinco is a sackable offence.

Richest English Premier League clubs deep in debt

The most successful clubs in soccer's richest league have some of the biggest debts in the sport. A report by British lawmakers last week accused Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea - the top three teams in the Premier League - of "financial doping," or reckless borrowing to maintain their domination.

England: Newcastle 0 - 0 Portsmouth + EPL Table

If Newcastle United’s chances of avoiding relegation were previously limited, they can now be characterised as minimal.

Point not enough for disappointing Newcastle

Nº	Team	GP	W	D	L	Pts
1.	Manchester Utd	33	24	5	4	77
2.	Liverpool	34	21	11	2	74
3.	Chelsea	34	21	8	5	71
4.	Arsenal	34	18	11	5	65
5.	Aston Villa	34	15	10	9	55
6.	Everton	34	14	11	9	53
7.	Fulham	34	12	11	11	47
8.	West Ham	34	12	9	13	45
9.	Manchester City	34	13	5	16	44
10.	Tottenham	34	12	8	14	44
11.	Wigan	33	11	8	14	41
12.	Stoke City	34	10	9	15	39
13.	Bolton	34	11	5	18	38
14.	Portsmouth	34	9	11	14	38
15.	Blackburn	34	9	10	15	37
16.	Sunderland	34	9	8	17	35
17.	Hull City	34	8	10	16	34
18.	Newcastle	34	6	13	15	31
19.	Middlesbrough	34	7	10	17	31
20.	WBA	34	7	7	20	28

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger in Germany

Some five years ago, I was sitting in one of the hospitality tents that had been erected outside Schalke's arena to keep the VIPs attending the Champions League final separated from the hoi polloi.

Eduardo Alvarez in Spain

Pep Guardiola and Juande Ramos represent two different paths to become a top level gaffer: the former elite player who puts into practice what he learned during his playing career, and the self-made coach that builds his own career growing with each new job.

Marta and Pedro Enjoy Sporting's 2-1 Win Estrela Amadora

Goals by strikers Helder Postiga and Liedson, sandwiching a stunning strike by Marcelo Goianira, gave Sporting a 2-1 victory over Estrela da Amadora at the Alvalade Stadium tonight. The win was the eighth in nine Liga Sagres games for the Lions.

England: Newcastle United v Portsmouth Preview

Pompey boss Paul Hart believes the Alan Shearer factor will have little bearing on Newcastle's bid for survival unless the former England captain's players share the responsibility with their new boss.


This evening represents Shearer's fourth managerial assignment since swapping the BBC's Match of the Day sofa for the technical area but, with Newcastle second bottom of the Premier League and a solitary point to his name, he is certainly not exaggerating its significance.

Holland: AZ Alkmaar Win Title While Ajax Suffer

We learned a number of things last week. AZ are deserving champions. There's no longer any such thing as a Big Three, only a Bigger Budget Three. Steve McClaren looks like a good bet to hold on to second place in the league and win the Dutch Cup with FC Twente, registering one of Twente's finest ever seasons. And Marco van Basten is no manager. That we already knew. But confirmation was nevertheless abundant.


Dutch celebration...

Swine flu leaves Mexican soccer stadiums empty

Thousands of Mexican soccer fans had to forgo a beloved tradition Sunday, forced by a swine flu epidemic to cheer from their living room couches instead of the sun-soaked seats at packed stadiums.

Monday MLS Breakdown: Johnston's Choice

John Carver's resignation placed Toronto FC director of soccer Mo Johnston in a difficult spot by forcing him to replace a competent manager early in the season. If Johnston makes the wrong choice, it could be his future on the line at the end of the campaign, writes Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy.

La Liga Comment: Sevilla Better, But Raul The Best As Barcelona Begin To Worry

The reigning champions charged past the Rojiblancos to put the title race on a knife edge. Goal.com's Sulmaan Ahmad puts the method to all the Madrid madness...

Calcio Debate: Is The Scudetto Race Back On, Should Mario Balotelli Be Disciplined?

Milan have closed the gap on league leaders Inter to seven points to breathe new life into the Scudetto race. Carlo Garganese asks whether they could miraculously overtake their city rivals…