American accent to English soccer

Four Americans could be on the field in an English Premier League game Monday when Reading hosts Manchester City...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AklBcPTlTR_0CO9bYywKSLkmw7YF?slug=ap-americansinengland&prov=ap&type=lgns

Italian Serie A reports

Milan beats Lazio and Inter edges Fiorentina 3-2...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italyreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

'Invisible' Cole jealous of Henry treatment

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=378880&cc=5901

Bullard Doesn't Blame Parker For Horror Injury

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=124791

Spain: La Liga Team of the Week

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=124897

Alan Hansen's column

The Premiership title cannot be won in August or September - but it can certainly be lost...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/5334182.stm

Benitez tells "too nice" Reds to get nasty after derby humbling

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengpreverton&prov=afp&type=lgns

Convey hopes to dazzle US viewers

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1869394,00.html

Cole's point of principle? Even that comes at a price

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1868966,00.html

Buffon Blasts Juve after draw with Rimini

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=124581

Rooney and Gray in restaurant scuffle

All right! Finally some real news. I gotta say, I don't think I'd want to mix it up with Wayne Rooney. He's just so...angry. -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=378474&cc=5901

EPL Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool

Derby Day on Merseyside!!

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=123370

Inter in at the deep end as Serie A gets underway

I fear for Inter. Beginning the season with a head start of eight points over Milan? It's a bit of a can't win situation. They're the type of team that could easily crumble under the pressure. But it will certainly be a different way to watch the title race unfold. -Sanford

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AoYM_elN8vqdC8VAdf53gOAmw7YF?slug=reu-italymatches_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

EPL Previews: Tevez, Mascherano to make debuts

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5943874

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5900982

Atletico host Valencia in duel of big spenders + La Liga previews

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-spain_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

James Richardson in Italy

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/09/08/boldly_going_where_serie_a_has.html

Friday's rumours

Clint Dempsey to Charlton??

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1867853,00.html

Lawro's Premiership Predictions

BBC Expert Mark Lawrenson gives his predictions for the weekend...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/5323176.stm

Slimline Mido hungry for goals but Spurs sweat on Malbranque

Mido's lost 22 pounds! Put Ronaldo on his diet...

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1867328,00.html

Liverpool get go-ahead on new stadium

Time to get to Anfield if you've not been...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/5327426.stm

Robin Van Persie vs. Belarus

I had to put this link in because his two goals are so sweet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMQbRx1-2Ms

France 3, Italy 1

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AmHg8.YpZy930x3I_qawCfUmw7YF?slug=ap-france-italy&prov=ap&type=lgns

Northern Ireland 3-2 Spain: Hat-trick hero Healy

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=197224&cc=5901

Macedonia 0-1 England: Crouch rescues England

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=197228&cc=5901

San Marino 0-13 Germany: Record breakers

This is just sad. And the final goal was on a penalty. Ouch. San Marino is the third-smallest nation in Europe, by the way. Only Vatican City and Monaco are smaller. So why doesn't Vatican City have a squad? I wonder how many the Germans could fire past them? In a show of sympathy for San Marino, I have attached their flag.-Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=197231&cc=5901

Why is it still so hard to take Peter Crouch seriously?

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/09/07/appearances_can_be_deceptive.html

Brief Prospects for Serie A clubs in 2006-07

Part I:

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italyprospects&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Part II:

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italyprospectspart_two&prov=reuters&type=lgns

West Ham's Future: Several Irons In The Fire

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=122746

Fire & Galaxy advance to US Open Cup Final

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=122793

Wigan wanted Windass claims Bradford chairman

Yes! Dean Windass news!! For those of you who don't know, Windass is the captain of my wife's all-name team. A team that will be presented in its entirety here soon... -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=378228&cc=5901

Van Nistelrooy launches fresh Fergie blast

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=378213&cc=5901

Norman Hubbard on the West Ham situation

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=378023&root=england&cc=5901

Roberto Gotta in Italy

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=378011&root=europe&cc=5901

Gabriele Marcotti

Marcotti grades several teams' transfers...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AiZQMCCehWFpHPfuKruVHFAmw7YF?slug=cnnsi-transfersofpowe&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger in Germany

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=378073&root=euro2008&cc=5901

Materazzi insulted Zidane's sister

OK, whomever finds a picture of Zidane's sister first wins a prize. -Sanford

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AsoxDGDAtCq4VLP1ZqBfvPwmw7YF?slug=ap-materazzi-zidane&prov=ap&type=lgns

Euro 2008 Qualifying Preview: France vs. Italy

Here we go again. It seems like just yesterday...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=As.KBUkPKZZnDiOG775TAFkmw7YF?slug=reu-eurofrance_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Jimmy Conrad on his liquid diet & broken jaw

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=377997&root=us&cc=5901

Richard Williams on Mourinho

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/09/06/when_mourinho_slings_mud_footb.html

Andrew Downie on Corinthians and MSI

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=377839&root=global&cc=5901

Cole completes Chelsea transfer, Gallas to Arsenal

Finally! This is the best deal Arsenal could have hoped for. Gallas will give us a good few years and Cole can go piss off to Chelski...plus we get 5 mil. Oh, and Pascal Cygan is off to Spain. -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377732&cc=5901

Beasley joins Manchester City on loan

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377665&cc=5901

Arsenal agree Reyes Baptista swap deal

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377729&cc=5901

West Ham Laundering Tevez And Mascherano?

I like this theory. You can't help but think that something fishy is going on. It's just too weird...

http://goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoId=119635

The man behind MSI

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1862731,00.html

Hammers' jackpot

The BBC's Chief Football Writer Breaks Down the Day...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/5305034.stm

Moyes To Sue Rooney

I am laughing loudly at the moment...

http://www.goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoId=119982

Euro 2008 General Preview

That's right! It's just around the corner...

http://www.goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoId=120012

Top deadline-day deals

A quick list...

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1862791,00.html#article_continue

Euro 2008 Qualifying: Germany vs. Ireland

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AhXVubwNfo17ekP07n_xp0wmw7YF?slug=reu-eurogermany_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Things are getting mental...

It's always a nutty time when the end of the transfer window finally arrives and today is proving to be especially bizzaro. Tevez and Mascherano to the Hammers?! You're talking about one of the most coveted young players in football here. Oh, and toss in Mascherano who had a great World Cup. What sort of magic beans does Alan Pardew have and how do I get some?

Boro have scored nicely with Huth and Woodgate coming to the Riverside. Sure, Woodgate gets hurt looking in the mirror and dons The String, but he's worth the risk, especially on loan. And Huth is a no-frills big man who would solidify almost any back four.

And good news out of Manchester. Citeh are interested in grabbing DeMarcus on loan. As upset as I (and Boris) was yesterday at the prospect of him lighting it up in Salt Lake City, I'm excited about the idea of him flying up the flank for Psycho. Just don't hit the local and then go for a spin, kid.

As of now, it looks like something might (gasp!) happen with Ashley Cole and perhaps even Reyes heading out of Arsenal. -Sanford

Boro sign Huth and Woodgate

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377585&cc=5901

Portsmouth complete signing of Andy Cole

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377636&cc=5901

Newcastle set to swoop for Boro's Viduka

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377639&cc=5901

Sydney's Yorke to link up with Keane at Sunderland?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377625&cc=5901

Tevez 'to join West Ham' in transfer coup

Are you kidding me?! This is mental. Barcelona, Madrid, Inter, Milan, Chelsea, ManUre, Arsenal. But not West Ham!! Just how have they managed to pull this off?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377632&cc=5901

Magpie Milner set for Villa move

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengprnewcastlevillamilner&prov=afp&type=lgns

Derby fails to get work permit for striker Wolff

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377605&cc=5901

Lee denies religion scuppered Roma move

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377631&cc=5901

Lee denies religion scuppered Roma move

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377631&cc=5901

Cole saga rumbles on as transfer deadline nears

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377624&cc=5901

Kevin Nolan column

The Bolton captain weighs in on elbows and arms...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/5294718.stm

Primera Liga Best XI (Round 1)

http://www.goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoId=118863

Inter to face Fiorentina on opening day, Juventus begin life in Serie B

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblitafixtures&prov=afp&type=lgns

Frank Dell'Apa on Caribbean players choosing Scandinavia over MLS

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=377531&root=mls&cc=5901

Kanu's miss versus Boro

OK, OK. Since I posted his amazing hat trick against Chelsea yesterday it's only fair that I post his amazing miss versus Boro today...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jQG73v7X0U

And while we're at it, here's a fun compilation of ridiculous misses:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a1AyzIYfao

I think the one where the ball stops in the mud takes the cake...

Phil Ball in Spain

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=377557&root=europe&cc=5901

Cole must get his head right, insists Hill-Wood

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377539&cc=5901

U.S. Open Cup yet to reach the mainstream

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=377483&root=mls&cc=5901

Vieri signs pay-as-you-play deal with Atalanta

I make more than Bobo, I make more than Bobo...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377520&cc=5901

Americans Abroad

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Leeds:

http://soccer365.com/US_NEWS/Americans_Abroad/page_93_126272.shtml

Danny Califf excels in Denmark:

http://soccer365.com/US_NEWS/Americans_Abroad/page_93_126271.shtml

Jemel Johnson makes Mick McCarthy happy at Wolves:

http://soccer365.com/US_NEWS/Americans_Abroad/page_93_126231.shtml

Aston Villa sign £8million Petrov from Celtic

Well played, Martin. Well played. You've already signed a far superior player than the last two Villa managers ever did...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377571&cc=5901

How Thatcher's actions left my beloved City in ruins

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/08/30/how_thatchers_actions_left_my.html

And thanks to "Anonymous" for providing this clip of the Thatcher mugging:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVKSro1aA3s

Wednesday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1861170,00.html

Super Romario

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/08/30/super_romario.html

Hail old king Kanu!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=402811&in_page_id=1779&in_a_source=&ct=5

Resident Yank: Premiership Management Ramble And Week Two Recap

http://www.goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoId=118355

Some thoughts as the leagues get going

We're a few weeks into the English season and Spain and Germany are off and running and there are already some big surprises. First, however, one thing that is not a surprise is the lack of Serie A. It seems like they are delayed every year by some sort of legal proceeding and this year is no exception. It fact it's the Grand Delay. Let's face it: soccer in Italy is in shambles. I find it fascinating that more players aren't just getting the hell out of there. Yeah, sure, the living is good and everything, but the league's reputation has been severly damaged (after years and years of unproven allegations) and if I were a top player I'd be in England or Spain.

But enough of that sadness. In the Premiership, a few things have happened. Mainly, Chelsea have already lost. I just assumed they'd be undefeated against anyone but Liverpool or ManUre. But kudos to Boro - they've given the league some hope. Chelsea just don't seem settled yet and The Special One has some work to do figuring out how to fit all his midfielders together. The situation seems a bit like what Sven faced with the England squad.

And ManUre are out of the blocks a lot faster than I anticipated. I really thought there would be at least some sort of squad issue left over from the Rooney/Ronaldo World Cup party. You know, just a general unease that would lead to some dropped points out of the gate. Plus, they still haven't replaced Keane. But it doesn't seem to matter in the least. Three from three and they're tops. Followed closely by 'Arry's Portsmouth. 'Ol 'Arry picked up Kanu on a free. Brilliant.

And what about Spurs? Berbatov, Defoe, Mido, Keane. Someone besides Defoe is gonna get pissed (angry, not drunk) sitting on the bench. They've also dropped more points than anticipated. I could see them developing into a Jekyll and Hyde side that is scintillating one day and flat as hell the next.

As for Arsenal, they look like they've not learned their lesson from last season. You can make lovely passes around the box all day but it doesn't mean a bloody thing if you don't score. My anguish reached its peak when Rosicky squared to shoot from a similar spot as his great goal against the U.S. in Gelsinkirchen, but pulled out in favor of a square ball. As the commentator put it, "If you've got that kind of shot in your locker, why not have a go?" True. True. Their defensive frailties have been exposed as well. They need more cover it the back - Hoyte isn't ready for prime time.

Down in Spain, I don't see anyone matching Barca this year. Give Real another year and they might do it but Capello will need more time to get things sorted. I think Barcelona signing The Good Johnson was a brilliant move. He'll flourish with the extra time he'll get in La Liga. He's a great replacement for Larsson but better because he's younger and quicker. Look for Valencia and Atletico to be there at the end. Valencia could suffer if the Ayala situation isn't sorted but with Villa and Morientes (he scores in Spain!) up front and Edu, Vicente, Baraja, et al in the middle, they're solid.

Kanu Kills Chelsea

Since he's top of the scoring chart in the EPL at the moment, I thought it would be nice to relive his glorious hat-trick against Chelsea from 1999. I'll never forget watching that match in misery only to see Kanu take over and snatch a victory. The Gunners could use him now...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGs67unVSpY

Middlesbrough 0-4 Portsmouth: Pompey up to second

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=199110&cc=5901

Celta Vigo 2-3 Barcelona: Eidur nets late winner

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=203772&cc=5901

DeMarcus Beasley mulls a move home

What the hell is he thinking? Exactly what is he going to do in MLS? He's obviously been hanging out with Landon way too much. If playing for a top European team like PSV, seeing quality Champions League action, and winning the Dutch League are not doing it for The Kid then we've got a problem. It's almost sickening. If our best players don't enjoy playing in the top leagues than the U.S. team will never amount to anything. Beasley at Real Salt Lake? What a waste. -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=377088&root=mls&cc=5901

Mido set for Spurs switch

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377464&cc=5901

Tim Vickery on Brazil vs. Argentina

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_football/5292248.stm

Alan Hansen's column - Villa hit jackpot

He did get Angel to score somehow so maybe he is The Savior...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/5294782.stm

Norman Hubbard on Jermain Defoe

And now Jol has got another striker in Mido. Poor Jermaine...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=377394&root=england&cc=5901

Tuesday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1860407,00.html

Sid Lowe in Spain

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2006/08/29/real_boring_but_real_effective.html

Arsenal gunning for Tevez

If they get him they'll have to put him directly into the Shot Reduction Program that the whole squad seems to have embraced...

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengprarsenalbra&prov=afp&type=lgns

Richard Jolly at Ewood Park

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=377333&root=england&cc=5901

English Premier League Reports

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-englandreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Mixed fortunes for Madrid pair in Primera Liga

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=spanishroundup&prov=st&type=lgns

Primera Liga reports

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-spainreports&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Napoli dump Juve out of Italian Cup

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblitacup&prov=afp&type=lgns

Players storing children's stem cells as "repair kit":

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-stemcellsdc&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Wenger pledges Arsenal recovery as United set pace

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengpr&prov=afp&type=lgns

Inter stage stunning fightback to win Super Cup

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-italysupercup&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Reyes says he will not play in England again

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=377275&cc=5901

Sid Lowe on Beckham and Real Madrid

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1858816,00.html