More Van Gaal, Scribes, Portugal Squad, Serie A Season Review, What Is A World Cup Spot Worth?

Oi! What's this? The BBC's European football expert Andy Brassell is taking on the role of master of ceremonies as he hands out imaginary awards to his Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, and names his Best XI of the season. Sounds good.

Grant Wahl has asked a very good question. It is this: How much is a roster spot worth for U.S. players in Brazil?

Louis, Louis, Louis, Looooeeeee...

As noted yesterday, one of the biggest clubs in the world finally has a new manager, and the reaction by the pundits is overwhelmingly positive. Here's more on that:

Daniel Harris: Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United will amuse, charm and entertain

Phil McNulty: Man United tailor-made for Van Gaal

Jamie Jackson: Manchester United’s top 10 transfer targets under Louis van Gaal

Ben Littleton: Louis van Gaal's first task: Where does Wayne Rooney belong?

Manchester United warned of 'strict' manager

You know what sucks? Agents creating bullshit waves in order to make money. That's all Yaya Toure's agent is doing with this absurd rant about his birthday. SSN would certainly never go out of our way to defend the powers that be at Man City, but come on Seluk.

Scribes, yo!

Where? Brazil. Who. Tim Vickery. What? Brazil braced for more World Cup protests

Where? Italy. Who? Paolo Bandini. What? Serie A signs off with Europa League battle

Where? Germany. Who? Raphael Honigstein. What? Guardiola breathes again after Double

Where? Germany. Who? Uli Hesse. What? Bundesliga maintains goal-scoring reputation

Portugal has named its squad for the tournament set to take place in 23 days in its old colonial backwater of Brazil. Wait. Nani?!

Goalkeepers: Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patrício (Sporting).
Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Z. St. Petersburg), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia).
Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), Rafa (Braga).
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg).

You'll have to forgive us for overlooking the action Stateside over the weekend. What with the Primera Liga title up for grabs and a scintillating FA Cup final and all. Let's make amends. Here are Five Things We Learned in Major League Soccer on Saturday and Sunday. Power Rankings? But, of course. Jeff Carlisle's got New England, Real Salt Lake, and Seattle leading the table. That Bird guy's got Real Salt Lake, Seattle, and then New England. So there.

Domestic leagues are done. Dusted. Sorted. Time for the Season in Reviews to hit the airwaves. Let's begin in Italy with James Horncastle's Serie A 2013-2014 Season Review.

Done.

Onward!!

-SSN