SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.
While attacking players often take the glory, it's worth remembering that a number of World Cup goalkeepers have contributed more than those in front of them.
This week's First XI looks at the greatest World Cup 'keepers. Some are selected as much for their overall quality as their World Cup performances, others purely for their impact at a particular tournament.
The perennial problem for the England manager used to be who would play down the left.
The main bone of contention then became whether Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard could play together in the middle, but, thanks to Gareth Barry's success as a holding midfielder, that is no longer an issue either.
Barcelona 4 - 1 Arsenal
Reading Phil McNulty's blog after the Arsenal-Barcelona game, I was struck by the number of people who went out of their way to criticise the performance of Lionel Messi.
4. Keep an eye on … Edson Buddle. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker took his season tally to three goals in two games with a double in a 2-0 victory over local rival Chivas USA. Any American forward who is scoring regularly has some chance of forcing his way into the World Cup squad, given the shortage of in-form American front men right now.
It is advantage Chelsea in the Premier League title race with five games remaining after they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, but Arsenal continue to hang on in there following a late win over Wolves.
A Wayne Rooney-less Manchester United lock horns with title rivals Chelsea in what promises to be a decisive clash in terms of where the Premier League trophy is destined come the end of the season.
Real Madrid will attempt to ensure they head into next weekend's mouthwatering showdown with Barcelona on top of the standings by recording their 12th successive Primera Division win when they take on Racing Santander on Sunday. With the two Spanish giants locked on 74 points, it is Madrid's stunning goalscoring that is currently giving them the slight edge, with their tally of 81 goals from 29 games being 10 more than Barca and giving the capital club a +2 goal difference over their arch rivals.
Fiorentina will look to continue their recent resurgence and revive their European claims when they face Parma at the Tardini stadium.AC Milan, meanwhile, have claimed just two points in the last three games.
The Rossoneri, who are two points behind Roma, take on Cagliari in Sardinia.
Palermo go into Saturday's Sicilian showdown at Catania looking to consolidate the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.
They are three points clear of Napoli, Juventus and Sampdoria.
