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.
Welcome to South Africa, a remarkable place of jagged contrasts: rich and poor; black and white, immigrant and everyone else. On a normal week, it's the dispossessed and the self-possessed fighting for elbow room. But the 2010 World Cup, which starts in 90 days, has taken these contrasts and propelled them into conflict.
Manchester United 4 - 0 AC Milan
No player has generated more excitement and anticipation in his formative years at Barcelona. Though players of the calibre of Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta have graduated from la Masia with remarkable results, it was Ivan de la Pena that developed a very particular romance with Barcelona supporters following his emergence in the mid-90s.
Real Madrid vs. Lyon
They do not want Donovan to leave Everton when his loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy ends next Monday and he has to return to California for the start of the MLS season. Not the fans, who were likely seeing his final home game. Not his teammates, who literally held Donovan aloft, jolly-good-fellow style, after his goal and assist on Sunday. Not Everton manager David Moyes, who said once again that he wanted to try to extend Donovan's loan.
And, it should be noted, not Donovan himself.
Manchester United could be facing a fresh backlash from their supporters as it was revealed that two thirds of fans are considering not renewing their season tickets next season. The figures, which have been published in a study conducted by Virgin Money, suggest that supporters are stepping up their revolt against Malcolm Glazer's ownership, which has gained fresh momentum over the past few weeks following interest from a group calling themselves the Red Knights.
The 120-by-75-yard grass field (109-by-68 meters) is surrounded by seats just 21 feet from the touchlines under the design by Rossetti Architects. The 17th row is the farthest from the field in the lower deck. There are 30 luxury suites with a bi-level lounge, about 1,000 club seats, a bar for longtime season ticket holders and five locker rooms — enough to hold a neutral doubleheader without having to open the Red Bulls' private player areas. Six broadcasts booths provide enough space to hold major World Cup qualifiers.
Arsenal vs. Porto
The player is certainly keen to extend his stay in the Premier League and feels he has improved during his brief spell in England, but Donovan will certainly return to Los Angeles before April 15 in time for the start of the MLS season.
"I have told Galaxy what I want; they know what's going on and I speak to my manager there often," Donovan said in the Telegraph. "Both clubs know how I feel, which is that I would like to stay, though I can't end the season here, I'd have to go back April 15 at the latest.
The Football Association is looking into a security breach after a tape emerged purporting to carry discussions between England coaches and players.
The recording, allegedly made at the England hotel as the squad prepared for last week's friendly with Egypt, has been offered to media outlets.
| English Premier League Table | ||
| Club | Played | Points |
| Manchester United | 29 | 63 |
| Chelsea | 28 | 61 |
| Arsenal | 29 | 61 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 28 | 49 |
| Manchester City | 27 | 49 |
| Liverpool | 28 | 48 |
| Aston Villa | 26 | 45 |
| Everton | 28 | 41 |
| Birmingham | 27 | 40 |
| Fulham | 28 | 38 |
| Stoke City | 27 | 34 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 28 | 34 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 28 | 29 |
| West Ham United | 28 | 27 |
| Sunderland | 27 | 27 |
| Wigan Athletic | 27 | 25 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 28 | 24 |
| Hull City | 28 | 24 |
| Burnley | 28 | 23 |
| Portsmouth | 27 | 19 |
No strikeforce can compare to David Villa and Fernando Torres (who did not even start against France) and there are plenty of goals to come from elsewhere in this exquisite side.
Only Brazil will match them on current form and given the South Americans' physical strength and set piece aerial threat created by coach Dunga, they could well be more than a match for the Spanish when they meet.
Serie A leaders Inter Milan were held to a goalless draw by Genoa at the San Siro.
The Nerazzurri went into the game knowing a win would see them climb six points clear of second-placed AC Milan after the Rossoneri were held to a 0-0 draw by Roma on Saturday.
Bottom side Xerez gave their La Liga survival hopes a boost by downing Malaga 4-2 in an thrilling Andalusian derby . On Saturday, Real Madrid went top of the table after a 3-2 home win over Sevilla while Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw away to Almeria.
A scruffy victory helped Manchester United return to the top of the table while Arsenal maintained their own title hopes after making hard work of seeing off Burnley. Elsewhere, Bolton Wanderers claimed an unlikely and impressive triumph against West Ham United at Upton Park while Everton spanked five past sorry Hull City to leave the Tigers in the drop zone.
