FC Barcelona tries — and fails — to practice near White House on National Mall in Washington

As team members congregated on the Mall near the White House, video and photos posted by Spanish media show a U.S. Park Police officer asking team members, “Who is the leader of this group?” According to players and media reports, the team was told it could not train there.



Fun's over -- back on the bus...literally.

Klinsmann Named New USA Boss

Jurgen Klinsmann has been appointed the new manager of the United States. Klinsmann had a distinguished playing career, highlighted by winning the World Cup in 1990 and European championship in 1996 with Germany, but has had only fleeting spells in management, first with Germany and later Bayern.

Billionaire bets on boys from Brazil to win peace in Dagestan

The floodlights are on, the stadium is packed, and the familiar stocky figure of Brazilian World Cup winner Roberto Carlos is galloping down the left wing. The strange thing about this scene is where it takes place – in Makhachkala, capital of Dagestan. A chunk of mountainous land on the southern fringes of Russia, looking out on the Caspian Sea, in recent years Dagestan has been known mainly for its poverty and violence. The rumbling Islamic insurgency claims victims almost daily among policemen and government officials.

Brazil's booming optimism subdues World Cup cynicism despite doubts over 2014 hosts' preparedness

If anything can disperse the cynicism and distrust clouding Fifa’s choice of World Cup hosts, 48 hours spent in Rio suggests that the 2014 edition in Brazil should do the trick.

Manchester United Visit the White House -- Obama Too Busy

Touring Manchester United soccer players voiced their disappointment online Thursday after finding out US President Barack Obama was too busy to meet with them at the White House.

In Pictures



Where's your cigarette, Berba?

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby ruled out for 10 weeks after surgery

The Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has undergone an ankle operation and will be out of action for up to 10 weeks.

Friday MLS Forecast

The Forecast explains the potential impact of Bob Bradley's dismissal on the MLS hiring pool and talks with a few All-Stars about this weekend's matches and their sides.




The Forecast is hot!!

Tim Vickery: Kun can charm City's fanbase

The sun is rising at Eastlands as "Kun" brings his special talent to Manchester City.

Kun is the nickname of Sergio Aguero, the Argentine striker who in the last few days has become the latest of City's South American signings - and potentially the best.

The Atlético fans are not happy...

The Mill +

Friday's Rumours



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The Joy of Six: Football on YouTube

The Rest

Argentina names Sabella head coach

Argentina on Thursday appointed Alejandro Sabella as national team coach to replace sacked Sergio Batista, the federation's general secretary Jose Luis Meiszner announced.

"The decision has been taken. Sabella is the choice," Meiszner told official news agency Telam.

Second from the right...

That Neymar Goal

U.S. Soccer: Bob Bradley Fired

U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati announced today that Bob Bradley has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team.









Grant Wahl: Bradley era ends as U.S. stagnates

Martin Rogers: Klinsmann may finally be next U.S. soccer coach
Martin Rogers: Gold Cup loss was final nail for Bradley

Steve Davis: New coach won't lack for tasks

Malaysia apologizes for Benayoun abuse

The Football Association of Malaysia didn’t admit the abuse occurred, but said Friday, “if such an incident did happen, we would like to apologize to the player … and also to Chelsea FC.”

James Dall: Off the Ball

Off The Ball never rests in its mission to scratch around the underbelly of professional football to find the most bizarre, humorous and inexplicable stories.

This week, Neuchatel Xamax's owner continues his sacking ways, Gary Neville is dubbed the "best ever", Mario Balotelli incurs Roberto Mancini's wrath, Sergio Aguero isn't the Che Guevara of football and Paul Sturrock likes Wheatus.

Fulham captain Danny Murphy admits lack of excitement for Europa League

Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy admits it is hard to get excited about today's Europa League third-qualifying-round tie at RNK Split.

The 34-year-old won the competition a decade ago with Liverpool but today faces a first leg tie against Croatian minnows Split, who finished third in the top flight last season after successive promotions from the fourth tier.

Chelsea object to 'antisemitic' abuse of Yossi Benayoun in Malaysia

Chelsea have lodged a formal complaint with the Malaysian Football Association alleging that the club's Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun was the subject of antisemitic abuse during last week's friendly in Kuala Lumpur.

Large sections of the 84,980 crowd at the Bukit Jalil national stadium booed and jeered Benayoun's every touch in Chelsea's 1-0 victory over a Malaysian XI. The 30-year-old, one of the first Israelis to play in the country, did not complain at the time and was substituted at the interval along with all the starting XI. Malaysia, which is 60% Muslim and strongly supports the Palestinian people, does not recognise Israel and maintains no diplomatic ties with the state.

Jon Carter: Rewind to 2005

Having thrown away the 2004-05 Scottish title in the final two minutes against Motherwell on the last day of the season, Martin O'Neill's reign at Celtic ended on a high with victory in the Scottish Cup. However his successor, Gordon Strachan, could not have asked for a worse start to his tenure at Parkhead as his side faced Slovakian champions Artmedia Bratislava on July 27, 2005 in the Second Round of Champions League qualifying.

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Thursday's Rumours




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Sid Lowe in Spain

The Argentinian striker has been compared to Romário and is poised to be the master of invention at Manchester City.

Sergio Agüero is so much more than Carlos Tevez Mark 2.