The national team is a joke, the top two are nowhere and it is only going to get worse.
Old Firm's decline signposts the end of Scotland's glorious heritage.
"20 paces to the shower room..."
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.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Lawrence Donegan on Scotland
The national team is a joke, the top two are nowhere and it is only going to get worse.
Old Firm's decline signposts the end of Scotland's glorious heritage.
"20 paces to the shower room..."
Amy Lawrence on AC Milan
The Berlusconis want to sell, the team look old and Leonardo may not be around for long. Things do not look good in Milan.
Milan's humbling defeat to FC Zurich sends them lurching deeper into crisis.
"Screw Milan. Bring my 18-year-old lover to me! Excellent..."
Hull City team in high spirits after saving suicidal woman from bridge
It certainly would have been an unusual sight for the drivers making their way across the world's fifth largest suspension bridge, as manager Phil Brown took the entire first-team "looking for clarity" during a walk over the bridge.
Instead, as Brown revealed in a weekly news conference, the team found the woman who Brown managed to "sweet talk" to safety.
Humber Bridge, Kingston upon Hull, England
Friday MLS Forecast
The Forecast discusses how a traditional English front duo has sparked Colorado towards the playoffs before it unveils its Week 29 selections.
England: Premier League Previews, Predictions & League Table
Liverpool's trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea is the big clash of the weekend. Elsewhere, Manchester United host Sunderland, Wolves welcome Pompey, Arsenal host Blackburn, Wigan go to Hull, Birmingham are at Burnley, Spurs are at Bolton, Everton host Stoke and West Ham welcome Fulham. Monday Night Football is Manchester City at Aston Villa...Preview I
Preview II
Lawro's Predictions
Phil McNulty on Liverpool & Chelsea
| Club | Played | Points |
| Manchester United | 7 | 18 |
| Chelsea | 7 | 18 |
| Liverpool | 7 | 15 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 7 | 15 |
| Manchester City | 6 | 15 |
| Arsenal | 6 | 12 |
| Aston Villa | 6 | 12 |
| Sunderland | 7 | 12 |
| Everton | 6 | 9 |
| Wigan Athletic | 7 | 9 |
| Burnley | 7 | 9 |
| Stoke City | 7 | 8 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 6 | 7 |
| Birmingham | 7 | 7 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 6 | 7 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 7 | 7 |
| Fulham | 6 | 6 |
| West Ham United | 6 | 4 |
| Hull City | 7 | 4 |
| Portsmouth | 7 | 0 |
Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview + League Table
Italian league leaders Sampdoria are brimming with confidence heading into this weekend's game against Parma. This follows their 1-0 victory over three-time defending champions Inter Milan last week, a victory that pushed Samp one point clear of Juventus after six matches of the season.
| CLUB | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| Sampdoria | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 15 |
| Juventus | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Internazionale | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 13 |
| Fiorentina | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 13 |
| Udinese | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 |
| Genoa | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| Parma | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 10 |
| Chievo Verona | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| AS Roma | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Lazio | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 8 |
| AC Milan | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 8 |
| Bari | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Cagliari | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 7 |
| Napoli | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -3 | 7 |
| Palermo | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1 | 6 |
| Bologna | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -1 | 6 |
| Siena | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -4 | 4 |
| Catania | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -4 | 3 |
| Atalanta | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -6 | 2 |
| Livorno | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -7 | 2 |
Spain: La Liga Weekend Previews + League Table
Real Madrid's 100% record could come under serious threat this weekend when they travel to face in-form Sevilla.Guillem Balague's Preview
| CLUB | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| Real Madrid | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 15 |
| Barcelona | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 15 |
| Sevilla FC | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 12 |
| Mallorca | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 10 |
| Deportivo La Coruña | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| Athletic Bilbao | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 9 |
| Valencia | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| Real Zaragoza | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Osasuna | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 7 |
| Espanyol | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 7 |
| Almeria | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Getafe | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -1 | 6 |
| Tenerife | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -6 | 6 |
| Sporting Gijon | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -3 | 5 |
| Racing Santander | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -5 | 5 |
| Valladolid | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -5 | 4 |
| Málaga | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| Atlético Madrid | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | -6 | 3 |
| Villarreal | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -4 | 2 |
| Xerez | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -11 | 1 |
Scottish Old Firm Preview: Rangers vs. Celtic
It is meant to be Scottish football's most eagerly anticipated match. A fixture that, love or loathe it, is impossible to ignore. A derby that even has English fans, brought up on the champagne football of the Premier League, glancing upwards through jealous eyes - fascinated by a rivalry that is always capable of reducing even the most cultured player into a raving lunatic.
Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Preview
Stuttgart host Bremen, Lukas Podolski returns to Munich and Prussians face off in Moenchengladbach in Round 8. Clark Whitney previews all the weekend action...Friday
Schalke – Eintracht Frankfurt
Saturday
Hannover - Freiburg
Bayern Munich - Koeln
Bayer Leverkusen - Nuernberg
Bochum - Wolfsburg
Mainz - Hoffenheim
Borussia M’gladbach - Borussia Dortmund
Sunday
Stuttgart - Werder Bremen
Hertha Berlin - Hamburg
FIFA Under-20 World Cup: United States vs. South Korea
The Americans' itinerary will depend largely on which group turns up against the South Korean team -- the one that was trounced by Germany in the opening match, or the squad that pummeled Cameroon on Tuesday night.
U.S. vs. South Korea
Mubarak Stadium; Suez, Egypt
October 2, 12:30 p.m. EDT
ESPN2, ESPN360.com
Premier League Heroes: Ginola: Because He's Worth It
In an era in which boy bands dominated popular culture, David Ginola, a man who looked like a Musketeer crossed with a male model, was football's answer to Take That. Dancing down the wing for Newcastle and Tottenham, and making opposition defenders play to his tune, the flamboyant Frenchman was every inch a modern superstar and a true Premier League hero.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Norman Hubbard: Evergreen Giggs Continues to Shine
Speed was his original forte. If it is now skill, it is a sign of an ability to reinvent himself. Once a fixture on the left flank, he has been a second striker, a deep-lying central midfielder, a right winger, though this season has brought him full circle with a return to his old territory.
Quotes & Chants of the Week
"He is married and a perfect husband, so sorry for the women, but they will not have any chance."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez breaks the hearts of Fernando Torres' female admirers.
"Giving a penalty to someone else because you feel sorry for him, because he has not scored, is the sort of thing you do in the school playground, not the Premier League."
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce gets steamed up after regular penalty-taker Darren Bent grants a gentleman's-excuse-me to Kenwyne Jones in the 5-2 win over Wolves.
"If I'd been sitting in with the crowd I'd have joined in the booing!"
Coventry boss Chris Coleman after his side trailed Middlesbrough at half-time.
"We looked like a woman who's got a big fur coat on and underneath she's got no knickers."
Micky Adams slates his Port Vale team after losing 3-1 to Notts County.
The Rest
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez breaks the hearts of Fernando Torres' female admirers.
"Giving a penalty to someone else because you feel sorry for him, because he has not scored, is the sort of thing you do in the school playground, not the Premier League."
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce gets steamed up after regular penalty-taker Darren Bent grants a gentleman's-excuse-me to Kenwyne Jones in the 5-2 win over Wolves.
"If I'd been sitting in with the crowd I'd have joined in the booing!"
Coventry boss Chris Coleman after his side trailed Middlesbrough at half-time.
"We looked like a woman who's got a big fur coat on and underneath she's got no knickers."
Micky Adams slates his Port Vale team after losing 3-1 to Notts County.
The Rest
Wednesday's Champions League Reports & Analysis
General Review
General Review II
AC Milan 0 - 1 FC Zurich: San Siro shocker
Leonardo defiant despite defeat
Player Ratings
Apoel 0 - 1 Chelsea: Struggle in Cyprus
Harris: Lampard stuck in a rut
Bayern Munich 0 - 0 Juventus:
Old Lady looks better
Bordeaux 1 - 0 Maccabi Haifa: Ciani winner
CSKA Moscow 2 - 1 Besiktas: Krasic winner
Porto 2 - 0 Atletico Madrid: Atletico woe
Manchester United 2 - 1 Wolfsburg: Owen hurt again
Jolly: Berbatov takes his chance
Real Madrid 3 - 0 Marseille: Ronaldo double
Player Ratings
Best of the Week in the Champions League
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tevez: I respect West Ham but just watch me celebrate if I score against Manchester United
Carlos Tevez has explained his decision not to celebrate his two goals against West Ham on Monday night - and vowed never to extend the same courtesy to his other former club, Manchester United.
Wednesday's Champions League Previews
The European credentials of Manchester United and Chelsea will be given a thorough going over on Wednesday night.Bayern Munich vs. Juventus: Preview
Bordeaux vs. Maccabi Haifa: Preview
CSKA Moscow vs. Besiktas: Preview
AC Milan vs. Zurich: Preview
Real Madrid vs. Marseille: Preview
Porto vs. Atletico Madrid: Preview
APOEL vs. Chelsea: Preview
Dominic Fiefield: Chelsea aim to bounce back in Cyprus
Manchester United vs. Wolfsburg: Preview
Jonathan Wilson: United must beware Bosnia's dynamic duo
Christian Vieri: Ronaldo And I Were Party Animals At Inter, Lawsuit Still Ongoing
“When I was at Inter, Ronaldo was the player who trained less than anyone else, because he was the best footballer in the world and it is indeed true that we went back home at 5-6 AM,” he confessed.
“We went clubbing. Then, I used to sleep for a couple of hours and went on to the pitch to train, while he laid down on the cot and ate brioches and cappuccino.
FIFA says Honduras is safe to host US in Cup qualifier
The issue became a concern after Mexican side Toluca announced Monday it would not travel to Honduras for a CONCACAF Champions League match, citing safety concerns in the wake of riots and military crackdowns.
Martin Rogers Column
Carlo Ancelotti must have been tempted to thumb his nose at the English Premier League rulebook last weekend and send out a Chelsea minion to buy him a couple of packs of cigarettes.
Ancelotti has been unable to indulge his smoking habit since taking over as Chelsea head coach due to EPL regulations, but never can he have felt in greater need of nicotine reinforcement than last Saturday.
FIFA Under-20 World Cup: Rongen's changes bear fruit as U.S. routs Cameroon
It was like day and night.
The Americans' second match at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup kicked off after nightfall in Suez, and the Americans shined under the lights in Egypt, thrashing Cameroon 4-1 to erase the unpleasant memories of their opening loss Saturday afternoon against Germany, and put themselves in the thick of things in their group.
U.S. U-20 men's schedule
Friday:
U.S. vs. South Korea
Mubarak Stadium; Suez, Egypt
12:45 p.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN360.com
Maradona calls on God to save Argentina
Argentina coach Diego Maradona has called on God's hand to shield the South American country from World Cup elimination.
Tuesday's Champions League Reports & Analysis
General Review
General Review II
Fiorentina 2 - 0 Liverpool
Liverpool pay heavy price for bad start
Harris: Viola expose Liverpool deficencies
Player Ratings
FK Rubin Kazan 1 - 1 Inter Milan
Nerrazzuri held by Russian champions
Player Ratings
Barcelona 2 - 0 Dynamo Kiev
Messi unlocks stubbord Ukranians
Rangers 1 - 4 Sevilla
Seville bring Rangers to earth
Unirea Urziceni 1 - 1 Stuttgart
Romanians make point with inspired display
Arsenal 2 - 0 Olympiakos
Late relief for fluent Arsenal
Player Ratings
Collins: Fabregas on fire, but Gunners still can't finish
Debrecen 0 - 4 Lyon
French giants trample gentle hosts
AZ Alkmaar 1 - 1 Standard Liege
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
I've Bendt My Car
Bendtner, 21, careered off the road and ploughed through a fence before smashing into a tree and coming to a stop in a field. A motorist who saw Sunday morning's crash on the A1(M) near South Mimms, Herts, said: "The car wasn't going especially fast but careered off the road. The driver must have lost his concentration for a moment.
Americans On The Continent: Rough Week
It was a week to forget for many Americans, as a large percentage of the players plying their trade in continental Europe experienced the bitter drink that is defeat.
Tuesday's Champions League Action
Today's Matches:Fiorentina vs. Liverpool
Kuyt aims to be second-leading scorer in Europe
Barcelona vs. Dynamo Kiev
Debrecen vs. Lyon
Rubin Kazan vs. Inter Milan
Rangers vs. Sevilla
Fabiano plots Rangers downfall
Unirea Urziceni vs. Stuttgart
AZ Alkmaar vs. Standard Liege
Arsenal vs. Olympiacos
Wenger aims to celebrate anniversary early
Arsène Wenger says he will not spend despite Arsenal's record turnover
Arsène Wenger said yesterday he will not sign any more players to boost his young squad, even as Arsenal announced record earnings which showed their manager could have almost £80m to spend if he wanted to.
Sid Lowe in Spain
While Pep Guardiola's side lord it in La Liga, president Joan Laporta is leading the way when it comes to 'security audits'.
Why Barcelona are keeping tabs on top spot – and their directors.
Paolo Bandini in Italy
Cesare Prandelli dedicated his 100th win as Fiorentina manager to the team's departing president.
Question of faith at Fiorentina as Della Valles fall out with their fans.
Raphael Honigstein in Germany
Jefferson Farfan scored the winner in a Ruhr derby most notable for being the most heavily policed home game in Borussia Dortmund's history.
Schalke bring home the bacon as Dortmund 'frying fat' fails to sizzle.
French fan dies after Serb attack
A French football fan attacked in Belgrade this month, apparently by Serb hooligans, has died in hospital.
Brice Taton, 28, was attacked in a Belgrade bar ahead of the Europa League match between Partizan Belgrade and Toulouse on 17 September.
Give & Go: USA And Hull City Striker Jozy Altidore
The U.S. national team and Hull City striker shares a few thoughts with Goal.com’s Matthew Braine. He discusses his new home in the Premiership and why he wants to win everything, including a World Cup.
The toughest Jozy's faced...
U.S. looks to strike on the counter against Cameroon
With a forgettable opening game performance in the FIFA U-20 World Cup behind his team, U.S. coach Thomas Rongen had some advice for his players as they prepare for their second game against Cameroon on Tuesday. Throw away the tape.
Tuesday
U.S. vs. Cameroon
Mubarak Stadium; Suez, Egypt
12:45 p.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN360.com
Friday
U.S. vs. South Korea
Mubarak Stadium; Suez, Egypt
12:45 p.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN360.com
Phil Ball in Spain
I'm beginning to think - and I'm not the only one - that the two-horse race hardly matters if every week we can see Ronaldo doing this and then Messi doing the other over at Barcelona. And then there's Kaká, for heaven's sake.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner ruled out of Olympiakos tie after car crash
The Danish international is understood to have crashed his Aston Martin while travelling northbound on the A1 towards South Mimms. Police confirmed that no other cars were involved in the accident which took place yesterday morning.
50 People Who Fouled Up Football
The Curious Case of Freddy Adu
Just like Brad Pitt’s life in the 2008 movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, Freddy Adu’s career seems to be moving backwards.
Calcio Debate: The Problems Of Juventus, Inter & Milan Revealed
The ‘Big Three’ all slipped up at the weekend in matches that highlighted their weaknesses. Carlo Garganese explores the problems that Juve, Inter & Milan need to fix…
Monday MLS Breakdown: Joseph Presents Compelling MVP Case
While Landon Donovan remains the odds-on favorite to life his first MLS MVP award, New England's Shalrie Joseph has quietly compiled a similarly successful campaign. Kyle McCarthy argues Joseph may have the best MVP case of all before reviewing all of the action from Week 28.
Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Roundups
Spain: La Liga Weekend Roundups
Italy: Serie A Weekend Roundups
England: Premier League Weekend Review
Premier League champions Manchester United climbed to the top of the table for the first time this season at a stunned Chelsea's expense as Carlos Ancelotti suffered his first defeat in charge of the Blues.
Elsewhere, England's top flight went goalscoring bananas, with 33 strikes on show from nine fixtures as the defending coaching manual was flung out of the window and into the autumn sky, allowing forwards to up the ante in their early fight for the Golden Boot.
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