MLS Scuttlebutt

Last night DC United blew a 2 goal lead on the road to arch-rivals New England to come away with a point. While a point on the road is not normally something to be too upset about losing a 2 goal lead certainly is. I watched the second half and while neither goal they conceded seemed overly soft the marking that allowed the assists to come in certainly could be better. I guess shipping out Bobby Boswell isn't the magical cure-all one might hope.

On Wednesday night in the Texas DerbyDwayne DeRosario scored a injury time goal from a Brian Ching rebound which secured a 2-2 draw and a point on the road. After a rocky start to the season Houston is starting to find some form.

On to the weekend:

Jewel of MLS travels to BMO Field in Toronto in a battle of the English superstars, Danny Dicio v. Goldenballs. Toronto have had a good run of form lately with the arrivals of Amado Guevara and Laurent Robert, but Guevara will be away with Honduras and Robert is suspended. Expect LA to take at least a point.

Energy Drinks travel to Houston to battle Favored Military Team. Houston are on the way up and New Jersey are on the wane and will be missing Jozy Altidore to National Team service. Expect the Texans to take this one.

San Jose at Royal Salt Lake. Battle of the basement, too bad there's no relegation. Probably an RSL win but I guess you never know with teams this inconsistent.

Columbus at Chivas. Chivas are off form and Columbus had a stumble last weekend in New England. Expect them to rebound.

Dallas Burn FC at Arsenal Colorado. Could go either way, I'll take the home team as they're tops in the west but still not really that good.

Martin Rogers: Starting the World Cup war of 2018

Neither the United States nor England are willing to admit it, but the opening bell sounded this week on the political punch-up that will form the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup.

Euro 2008 Previews: Portugal and Turkey

The prospect of Portugal being genuine contenders depends completely on the best player in the tournament.










Fatih Terim has some tough choices to make from a squad strong in flair midfielders but frequently undone by shortcomings elsewhere.

Raphael Honigstein in Germany

Rafa picks the best and worst of the season in the Bundesliga



Best goals:
1. Blagoy Georgiev v Schalke .
2. Ribéry v Stuttgart (1min 20sec).
3. Rafael van der Vaart v Wolfsburg.

The Mill(s) + ++

Friday's Rumours

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Americans in England: Season Review

Goal.com USA's Matthew Braine hands out grades for the large contingent of Americans players who saw time in the EPL this past season.

Part I

Part II

Chelsea & Inter: How Do You Define Success?

Following the dismissals of Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant and Robert Mancini this season, Graham Lister considers the imperatives and tensions at Stamford Bridge and the San Siro, and wonders what defines success for a big club these days…

U.S.A. -- Filled With Voids?

Carlisle: U.S. Still Seeking a Dominant Midfield Presence

Galarcep: U.S. Forwards Continue to Disappoint


But can Jesus play in the middle and up front at the same time?

Inter Confirm Mancini Sacking

Roberto Mancini's place at the front of the queue to become Chelsea's new manager was enhanced tonight when Inter Milan finally confirmed he was no longer their boss.

Prank Under Nev's Liver-pool

This is priceless...

England Stroll Past Yanks

It was back to the days of embarrassing play for the U.S. as the lads offered little resistance against an English side that barely had to work to claim a 2-0 victory. The fact that Josh Wolff, Frankie Hedjuk and Eddie Lewis are even on the national team (not to mention actually playing) is proof that we've still got a long way to go. I can see having some of the older guys around to bring experience and discipline to the team, but this was ridiculous. How a starting front of Wolff and Eddie Johnson is expected to trouble Rio Ferdinand and John Terry is beyond me. DeMarcus was rusty and off the pace, and Gooch showed why he still works in Belgium. Perhaps the most sad aspect of the whole affair is how much we missed Donovan's creativity, pace, intelligence and knack for goal.

England 2 - 0 United States
England expose U.S. shortcomings

Terry and Gerrard Lead the Lions
No Cap for Donovan

U.S. Thoroughly Outclassed by England

Things We Learned

The Mill + ++

Thursday's Rumours

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Euro 2008 Previews: Switzerland and the Czech Republic

Karel Bruckner's men should continue their impressive recent record in the tournament with a quarter-finals place at least.











Four years ago the Swiss said this would be the tournament of truth. Unfortunately for them, it looks like the truth is the Nati aren't as good as they thought they'd be.

Microsoft to Sponsor Seattle's New MLS Team

The world's largest software maker's Xbox 360 Live brand will be prominently displayed on the front of the Sounders' green and blue jerseys.

McBride Confirms Fulham Exit

"After much consideration with my family, we have decided to leave Fulham after four and a half fantastic years. I have always stated my intention to return to America at some stage and this seems like the right moment in my career to move on," he said.



This combo would have been nice last night at Wembley...

International Friendly: England vs. USA

What: International Friendly Match
Who: England (Fifa Ranking 11th) v United States (Fifa Ranking 21st)
When: Wednesday, 28 May; Kick-off: 2:05 pm EDT -- ESPN Classic
Where: Wembley Stadium, NW London

England James; Brown, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole; Bentley, Lampard, Barry, Gerrard; Rooney, Ashton

Subs from Hart, Lewis, Wheater, Johnson, Woodgate, Jagielka, Warnock, Bridge, Huddlestone, J Cole, Hargreaves, Downing, Walcott, Young, Agbonlahor, Defoe, Beckham, Crouch

United States Howard; DeMerit, Onyewu, Bocanegra, Cherundolo; Adu, Clark, Bradley, Beasley; Donovan, Dempsey

Subs from Califf, Cervi, Edu, Guzan, Hejduk, Jaqua, Johnson, Lewis, Orozco, Pearce, Spector, Wolff

Referee K Bassaras (Greece)

Graham Lister's Preview

Capello Calls for Bulldog Spirit

Howard Expects England's Best

Rooney Needs to Be More Selfish

All Quiet on the England Front

Donovan: American Great of Great Failure?

Look Alikes of the Week: Michael Ballack & Matt Damon

Bourne












Ballack

Money Cannot Buy Class at Chelsea

It is simply not true to suggest that Chelsea came away from Moscow last week without a title appended to their name. For their behaviour before, during and after the Champions League final, those who run the place made a bold attempt to have their club installed as Britain's most hated sporting institution.

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger in Germany

Kahn's legacy: More than catcalls and bananas

The Mill + ++

Wednesday's Rumours

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MLS Weekend Wrap-Up

Another exiting weekend of MLS action; The Chicago Fire comprehensively dismantled the New York RedBull, The Jewel of MLS laid claim to the top spot in the West, DC United reclaimed a measure of dignity by beating Toronoto FC after losing to them on Wednesday and New England continued its rehabilitation. As usual the league is wide open and nothing much should be read into these results.

Fire Destroy Red Bull, send message to former coach.
MLS Saturday Roundup
Wonder Goal for Goldenballs Video
The Bruce wants back in.
MLS Power Rankings

U.S. Confident Entering England Game

When the U.S. men's national team squares off against England on Wednesday, it will mark the beginning of perhaps the most daunting stretch of friendly games the U.S. has ever undertaken. A matchup against host Spain in Santander will follow on June 4, with a home match against Argentina finishing off the run on June 8; all so the Americans can be in peak form for their World Cup qualifying series against Barbados one week later.




U.S. men's schedule:

U.S. vs. England
May 28
Wembley Stadium, London
3 p.m. ET, ESPN Classic

U.S. vs. Spain
June 4
Estadio El Sardinero, Santander, Spain
4 p.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN360

U.S. vs. Argentina
June 8
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN Classic

The Mill + ++

Tuesday's Rumours

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Hot Italian Women Invade Training Session

I hate it when this happens to me at the office...

Tim Vickery in South America

Vickery gets us up to date on Copa Libertadores where the semifinal between Fluminense and Boca has hearts racing...

Britain: Chants and Announcements of the Season

"You don't know what you're doing!"
West Brom fans after a fan had his marriage proposal accepted by his girlfriend during half-time v Scunthorpe.

"Does your livestock know you're here?"
Colchester fans to Norwich.

"Does your butler know you're here?"
West Ham to Fulham fans.

"There is a no-smoking policy in all parts of the Layer Road ground. Anyone who is caught smoking will be taken away, strapped to an electric chair and electrocuted until they are dead. Thank you."
Colchester announcer at half-time against Leicester.

All the Fun

England: Windass Fires Hull into the Premier League

Hull City 1 - 0 Bristol City
Richard Jolly's Report


Windass Volley
(Scroll down to second video)

Bocanegra Released by Fulham

The 29-year-old was one of eight players let go last week by the London club, who secured their top-flight status on the last day of the season with a victory at Portsmouth.





Boca rides Reading's keeper...