Friday, February 06, 2009

England: Premier League Previews & Predictions


Arsenal’s trip to White Hart Lane for the 144th North London Derby on Sunday highlights the weekend fixture list. Elsewhere in London, West Ham host Manchester United and Chelsea welcome Hull City. Other fixtures include Villa at Blackburn, Bolton at Everton, Boro at Manchester City, Liverpool at Portsmouth, Stoke at Sunderland, Newcastle at West Brom and Fulham at Wigan.





Preview 1

Preview 2

Nick Webster's Predictions

Lawro's Predictions

American Abroad: Jeffrey In Club Wings




Though barely a member of Belgian power Club Brugge for a half season, American youngster Jared Jeffrey is making a right midfield charge for pitch time with the first team.

Kaka Tatt Bungle of Blues Fan




A BUNGLING Manchester City fan had “Kaka” tattooed on his chest — then the star shunned his beloved club.

Beasley Reveals Failed Move To Schalke




It came close, but DeMarcus Beasley is still a Rangers player, and he'll fight for a place in the team.









It's like that...'cause that's the way it is...

Tracing the origins of the long-standing U.S.-Mexico rivalry

It is not easy to characterize the U.S.-Mexico soccer rivalry. The competition between the countries has deep historical roots and many sociocultural implications, but has only recently blossomed into a true rivalry, with emotions barely under control and passions inflamed on both sides.

World Cup Qualifying
U.S. vs. Mexico
Feb. 11
Columbus Crew Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 HD

Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview



No big matchups but the attention remains on Milan (Beckham and Ronaldinho) and Juventus (two-straight losses).

Preview

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview




The Seville Derby highlights the weekend fixture list...

Preview

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Preview






Landycakes and Bayern Munich host Dortmund...

Preview

Steve Davis: U.S. likely to host a World Cup in 2018 or 2022



Feb. 2, 2009, will own a historic place in U.S. soccer history. It's the date U.S. Soccer officials joined the race to host a World Cup tournament and officially announced their intention to pursue either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. And they'll get one of them. Book it. Want to know why?

England: FA Cup Wrap + Draw


Everton will host Aston Villa in the last 16 after Martin O'Neill's side beat Doncaster 3-1. Blackburn defeated Sunderland 2-1 in extra time to set up a meeting with Coventry. Derby earn the right to host Manchester United

WRAP

Ties will be played weekend of February 14


Sheffield United vs. Hull City

Watford vs. Chelsea

West Ham vs. Middlesbrough

Blackburn Rovers vs. Coventry City

Swansea City vs. Fulham

Everton vs. Aston Villa

Cardiff or Arsenal vs. Burnley

Derby County vs. Manchester United





Marcela Mara y Araujo in Argentina




A new movie about Carlos Tevez will struggle to capture the real-life phenomenon of the man.

Carlitos' way encapsulates the true magic of football.

First World Cup Stadium Completed




Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld stadium is the first of South Africa's 10 World Cup venues to be completed ahead of next year's finals.

Spanish fans spark England racism fears



Fears are growing that England’s friendly international against Spain in Seville on Wednesday could be the setting for a repeat of the racist behaviour that marred the match between the countries in Madrid a little more than four years ago.

Micah Richards arrested over an alleged assault on Christmas Eve



Micah Richards, the Manchester City and England defender, has been arrested and bailed over an alleged assault outside a nightclub on Christmas Eve. The 20-year-old defender was questioned by police yesterday about the incident, which took place in Hale, Greater Manchester, at around 12.30am on December 24. Richards has been bailed until April.

Rafael Honigstein in Germany



The Bundesliga's return from its winter break changed nothing as Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen resumed losing ways.

Winter rest makes no difference as big guns resume bad habits.

Gerrard's departure highlights poverty of options




Rafael Benítez insists Liverpool have strength in depth, but supporters may not agree

Richard Jolly at Goodison Park



FA Cup:
Everton edge Liverpool in Merseyside Derby

Everton 1 - 0 Liverpool





Gerrard faces three-week lay-off

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Martin Rogers: Moving Forward Without Beckham, Donovan



David Beckham’s desperation to leave the Los Angeles Galaxy seems to have no limitations, with reports in Italy stating that the England midfielder has sent his legal team to California to negotiate a release from his contract.

With a permanent move to AC Milan growing increasingly likely and Landon Donovan poised to join Bayern Munich full time, the need for the Galaxy to take stock is imperative.

Fowler joins Australian side Fury



Former England star Robbie Fowler has joined Australian A-League side North Queensland Fury on a two-year deal.






Well played, Robbie. Well played...

Quotes & Chants of the Week

"Insomnia...N'zobia...Charlie."
Joe Kinnear gets his murds wuddled up when describing his favourite player.

"Having been insulted by Joe Kinnear, I will never play for him again."
Luckily N'Zogbia sees the funny side.

"I have got a **** weekend coming up, so has my family and everybody else who comes near me."
Harry Redknapp is not a happy chappy after Tottenham's defeat at Bolton.

"I'm going to the pub in an area where you can't get any mobile reception."
Reading boss Steve Coppell has a novel way to prevent any of his players being sold on transfer deadline day.

"Given would have saved that!"
Man City fans to Newcastle keeper Steve Harper, as Shay Given prepared to join City.

The Rest

FA Cup Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool



FA Cup Fourth Round Replay

Venue: Goodison Park
Date: Wednesday, 4 February
Kick-off: 2010 GMT
Preview



Update:
Anichebe sent home after training ground bust-up with Moyes

The Mill +





Wednesday's Rumours





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Twenty things Times readers hate about modern football



20. Touts

“Got any spares?” No. Get a job.



The Rest

What Dean Windass Did Next


Windass claimed at the turn of the year that manager Phil Brown had not spoken to him in three weeks. Indiscreet words perhaps, but frustration was starting to get the better of the striker, whose love of Hull was trumped by his desire to play.

And so instead of driving to Cottingham near Hull each morning for training, Windass heads for the M62 and travels towards Oldham, the home of his new club.

Beckham Team in Talks Over Milan


David Beckham's lawyers are in talks with Los Angeles Galaxy over extending the midfielder's stay at AC Milan, says the Italian club's general manager.





Golden...buns?

Gabriel Marcotti Column




Taking money out of the game nonsense, Quaresma quandary and Arsenal's odd man out.

Sky Seals £1bn Premier League Television Deal


English football’s television rights bonanza was in full swing last night as Sky paid more than £1 billion to secure its grip as the main Premier League broadcaster. The company has kept its hold on the majority of live games, 92 out of the 138 matches available, by retaining its four existing packages.

Dominic Fifield: Arsenal have taken a gamble with the signing of Andrei Arshavin






Wenger takes a rare gamble at Arsenal, but in Arshavin he has a genius.

Arshavin finally joins Arsenal but controversy continues over deal




It is understood that Zenit did not submit their forms in time and there are also suggestions that there was a slight issue with Arsenal's submissions. The Premier League club insisted all its paperwork was sent to the relevant bodies on time.

U.S.-Trinidad & Tobago To Be Staged In Nashville





The second U.S. home fixture in the hexagonal round will take place at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee.

Dominic Raynor: Ricardo Quaresma has yet to prove he can play outside Portugal






Quaresma Bids Arrivederci to Inter
Trading on Reputation

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Arshavin transfer finally gets the go ahead


The Premier League have confirmed Andrei Arshavin is an Arsenal player after approving his move from Zenit St Petersburg.





Not Andrei, Arsenal fans hope...

Sid Lowe in Spain




The Real Madrid captain seemed to be a spent force - but he has now equaled the club's goalscoring record.

Raúl the untouchable returns to rival Di Stéfano at Real's top table.

Hoffenheim bucks the powerhouse trend


With the familiar faces again dominating the title races in England, Italy, Spain and most of Europe's leagues, the sight of Hoffenheim at the top of Germany's Bundesliga gives hope to the rest. From a town with only 3,300 inhabitants, Hoffenheim looks down on mighty Bayern Munich and its position at the top is a tribute to coach Ralf Rangnick, whose team is playing topflight football for the first time in its history.



Downtown Hoffenheim at rush hour...

Americans in the UK: Friedel Shutdown


Clint Dempsey, Fulham
vs. Sunderland, 1-0, 90 minutes.
vs. Portsmouth, 3-1, 90 minutes, 1 assist.


Dempsey was aggressive on Tuesday; uncorking six shots against Sunderland, but all went away without much fuss as the Black Cats grabbed an early second half winner from Kenwyne Jones. However, on Saturday, the Cottagers got offensive, scoring three goals in a thrashing of Portsmouth. Dempsey set up the first goal by threading a nice through ball to Andy Johnson, who beat the trap for a 14th minute goal. Erik Nevland tallied a second half brace before David Nugent salvaged some pride for Pompey, whose season continues to flounder.
Up Next: Saturday, away to Wigan.

The Rest

Americans On The Continent: Full Slate

Michael Bradley, Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany)
Away to VfB Stuttgart, 0-2, 90 minutes

Michael Bradley and Borussia Monchengladbach continued their floundering at the bottom of the Germany Bundesliga with yet another loss in the league. With only one shot on goal, the Prussian club had few chances to assert their dominance on the match. Michael Bradley played the full 90, but was unable to change his side’s fortunes as they fell to their fifth loss on the trot.

The Rest

Steve Davis: U.S. stars need to return home


A few intrepid American souls have exported their soccer talents majestically. Fellows like Kasey Keller, Brian McBride and others went abroad and soared, soon living large and making out quite well, thank you very much.




Update: According to The BBC, according to The Sun, Schalke failed in a last-minute attempt to bring DeMarcus to the Bundesliga. I could not find anything about it in The Sun. -Sanford

Frank Lampard red card controversy joins long list of refereeing blunders



Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard's red card against Liverpool is another in a list of controversial decisions made by referees so far this season.

The Mill +




Tuesday's Rumours





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Mexico sets roster for match against U.S.

Goalkeepers: Oswaldo Sanchez (Santos), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jose de Jesus Corona (Tecos)

Defenders: Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Julio Cesar Dominguez (Cruz Azul), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart, Germany), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona, Spain), Aaron Galindo (Guadalajara), Leobardo Lopez (Pachuca)

Midfielders: Fausto Pinto (Cruz Azul), Pavel Pardo (America), Leandro Augusto (Pumas), Luis Perez (Monterrey), Israel Martinez (San Luis), Antonio Naelson (Toluca)

Forwards: Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), Cesar Villaluz (Cruz Azul), Giovani Dos Santos (Tottenham, England), Matias Vuoso (Santos), Carlos Ochoa (Guadalajara), Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Guillermo Franco (Villarreal, Spain), Omar Bravo (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain)

Article

The Window Has Shut -- Sort Of...

Robbie Keane returns to Tottenham after six months at Liverpool

Arsenal claim success in on-off deal for Arshavin

Chelsea get Ricardo Queresma on loan from Inter Milan

Fulham get Olivier Dacourt on loan from Inter Milan


The List

Snow forces postponement of 18 games tonight




The worst snowfall in 18 years has decimated tonight's football fixtures, with a total of 18 games in the FA Cup, Football League and Blue Square Premier being postponed.

Eduardo Alvarez in Spain


All the signs were clear: Atlético vs Valladolid had to be a high voltage match. A very tense week in the media for Atlético; a youthful, exuberant visiting side; and Atlético's need to win in order to contend to a Champions League spot the next season. Strong emotions guaranteed, so I accepted an invitation from a close friend and headed to the Vicente Calderón, aka the Indian Camp.

Monday, February 02, 2009

Deadline Day Clockwatch





Dom Raynor is keeping tabs on developments

Roma Defender Mexes In Hospital After Brawl






The French centre-back was taken to hospital last night after fighting with a boxer at a night club in Rome.

Martin Rogers Column

5. Catch a flight to …

Munich. Bayern Munich takes on Borussia Dortmund in a crucial Bundesliga clash next Sunday, with Landon Donovan likely to make his first start for the German giant.

Donovan impressed as a late substitute in Bayern’s defeat to Hamburg last Friday and looks desperate to further prove he belongs as he seeks a full transfer.

The Rest

The Mill + ++ +++



Monday's Rumours


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Transfer deadline extended for snow delay




The Premier League have agreed to extend the transfer deadline to clubs who can prove the inclement weather prevented them from signing a player before this 5pm cut-off.

Spain: La Liga Weekend Roundup

Roundup

Messi came off the bench to save Barcelona. His second goal is quite lovely...

Italy: Serie A Weekend Reports




Inter held and Milan go second as Beckham continues to shine

Reports

Ives: MLS will carry on just fine without Beckham





Now Beckham finds himself at a crossroads. Does he stick to the plan he laid out two years ago when he was first introduced as the man who would save Major League Soccer? Or does he follow what some believe to be his true passion, which is to return to top-flight soccer and make a serious run at what would be his fourth World Cup?

England: Premier League Weekend Reviews



Weekend Review

Best of the Weekend

Phil McNulty:
Benitez relishes vital victory

Tim Rich:
Newcastle standing a little taller after Derby comeback

Rob Smyth:
Title chase is now a two-horse race