A Little of This and That

Starter Fun

• Special 1 TV: Just Like That

MLS

• Sounder at Heart: A Case for the Supporters Shield
• Philadelphia: The Other Supporters Groups - Beyond the Sons of Ben
• On Football: The Missing Revenue Stream for MLS
• 3rd Degree: So after reading the CONCACAF Club Ratings for 2001-2010 and the reference to MLS dynasties, I thought I put together a simple table to assuage my curiosity and this is what I found. Note that my table runs for 11 years, since the end of the shoot-out era. I also don't take into account who won Supporters' Shields, MLS Cups, etc, just who earned the highest percentage of points available.

Points Earned Percentage 2000-2010
	Pts	Pts Avail	Pts %	Seasons
Miami	94	174	54.02%	2
Seattle	95	180	52.78%	2
SJ/HOU	502	990	50.71%	11
Chicago	496	993	49.95%	11
Los Angeles	485	990	48.99%	11
Columbus	472	990	47.68%	11
New England	462	993	46.53%	11
Kansas City	457	993	46.02%	11
Metrostars/RedBull	453	990	45.76%	11
Dallas	452	990	45.66%	11
Colorado	435	990	43.94%	11
D.C. United	432	990	43.64%	11
Chivas USA	230	552	41.67%	6
San Jose	109	270	40.37%	3
Real Salt Lake	222	552	40.22%	6
Tampa Bay	66	177	37.29%	2
Toronto FC	134	360	37.22%	4
Philadelphia	31	90	34.44%	1

The Business of Soccer

• Paul Wilson: January Madness is Making Football Sleazier
• Seth Vertelney: On Illegal Soccer Streams, Legal Alternatives, And Market Inefficiencies 
• Guardian: A Good Agent is the Stuff Dreams are Made Of 
  

More Interesting Stuff

• CONCACAF: Trinidad Football’s Anonymous Victims - Behind the Iron Curtain of Warner’s World
• In Person: I'm a romantic, says Xavi, heartbeat of Barcelona and Spain

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Late Tuesday Post

MLS

• Philadelphia Union:  What's needed next season - Because I'm a Union fan

Soccer in the US

• L.H. US Open Cup:  Seattle defends title, defeat Columbus for Open Cup
• L.H. US Open Cup:  Making over the USOC

Around the World

• This week I posted a link on FIFA's suspension of Nigeria:  Fifa should ban corruption, not Nigeria
• La Liga: Sid Lowe in Spain
• BundesLiga: Rafael Honigstein in Germany
• Tim Vickery in South America 
• Taking Beckham to the US and Other Sports Business 
• David Conn: The Liverpool Mess  

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News and Views - Mon-Tues Aug 30-31

MLS

• Week 22 Attendance Report
• Footiebusiness: The updated Adidas deal
• Kansas City: Wizards sign home grown keeper
• Philadelphia: Union sign D-M Williams

Club Tournaments

• CAF: Orange CAF Champions League(Africa) - JS Kabylie in Final 4

Interesting Reads

• CONCACAF: CONCACAF To Change World Cup Qualifying - How the Change hurts the Azteca
• Luis Bueno: New CONCACAF Qualifying Proposal Levels Playing Field
• USSF D2: Week 21 Review

Player Moves

• A flurry of moves as the summer transfer window closed. Some 'big name' movers... Camoranesi, Gudjohnson, Van der Vaart, Robinho, Pennant, 
• Goal.com's Transfer page

The Business of Soccer

• Transfer fees in the UK
• Michel Platini Set To Level The European Playing Field With New Spending Rules

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News and Views from Wed Aug 11

MLS

• Revs: Revs part ways with midfielder Niouky 
• Business: MLS to Versus is close to a no-brainer  
• Quakes: San Jose signs midfielder Khari Stephenson  
• RBNY wins, RSL and Philly draw  
  

US Pyramid

• Chatting With Some Development Academy Coaches by J.R. Eskilson.
• Brian Quarstad continues his reporting on the 2nd division in the US pyramid.

Well the plot gets thicker. USSF is sticking to the financial guidelines that Brian reported on Monday. They also say that they are adamant about not running D2 next year.
Austin, Carolina, Edmonton, Miami, Montreal, Rochester and Tampa Bay would appear to be OK. Non-profit owned Minnesota and Puerto Rico, owned by the Bureau of Tourism are in a nether world.
FIFA requires leagues to have 8 teams for formal sanctioning, with exceptions. There's so much more, so read Brian's post. It's fair to say that for expansion hopefuls, most have probably resigned themselves to D3, while the D2 picture remains muddy. Stay tuned.

 Around the World

• Copa Libertadores: Internacional takes 1st leg of final over Chivas
• CONMEBOL: Copa Sudamericana update
• Stoke sign Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland 
• West Ham agree loan deal for Miralem Sulejmani of Ajax 
• ESPN Reach Agreement with Fox Over EPL TV Rights in U.S.
• Manchester United sign Portuguese striker Bébé 
• Marlon Harewood one of five Blackpool signings

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News and Views from Thur Aug 5

MLS

• Crew down Philly on Lenhart brace
• Union: Philly acquires Colombian defenseman
• Crew: Columbus sends Zayner to DC United
• Galaxy: LA send Gordon to Chivas USA 
• Wizards: KC loans Hohlbein to Miami FC of D2 
• Expansion: Detoit thinking way outside the box - Gotta love it 
• Timbers: Building a MLS roster - Part 1 - Part 2  
• MLS: Have a little perspective  
• MLS: Why The MLS On Versus Needs To Happen 

Club Tournaments

• N.A. SuperLiga: Revs v Morelia in final
• CONCACAF: Champions League Results - Joe Public, FAS thru to group phase
• CONMEBOL: Copa Libertadores Chivas advances to final, will play Internacional
  
• UEFA: Champions League Results
  
• UEFA: Europa League Results
  

Interesting Reads

• Soccer Strategy: Is 4-2-1-3 the future?
• Soccer Strategy: Why are two holding midfielders so crucial in the modern game? 
• USMNT: U20's offer hope for the future 
• USMNT: How A High Level National Team Coach Could Influence US Soccer  

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News and Views

MLS

• Gee, have you heard, Rafa Marquez has signed for RBNY. You missed this if you have been doing your ostrich imitation for a few weeks.
• Seattle's formation switch is leading to better results
• Philadelphia Builds A Development System

Around the World

• You knew it was ugly while you were watching, now FIFA has fined Cup finalists Holland and Spain
• Trans national club football league in Southeast Asia?
• Radical reform at Prem academies
• Another story on the new roster rules in the EPL
• J.R. Eskilson: The Best Youth Club President In America?

Club Tournaments

• CONCACAF: Champions League Results - Toronto, Seattle, Cruz Azul thru to group phase
• 2010 USL PDL Championship Schedule
  
• CONMEBOL: Copa Sudamericana 2010 Preview
• CONMEBOL: Copa Libertadores Chivas advances to final
  
• UEFA: Champions League Results
  
• UEFA: Europa League Results
  

The Business of Soccer

• There's money in dem dar TV rights. Read it to the end to see if Stan Kroenke, owner of the Rapids of MLS, is poised to cash in on a major coup.
• MP and Silva enter agreement with Arsenal. MP and Silva is the company that bought the international rights to MLS.
• England's Premier League introduces new financial rules

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News and Views Jul 22-25

My Two Cents

• Getting caught up after my trip to Kansas.
  
• Arizona Sahuaros: The Sahuaros competed for the USASA U-23 National Cup. In fact, I've been with the team in Kansas. Unfortunately, their efforts came up short as the finished with a 1-1-1 record. Next year the competition will be held on our home turf, in Phoenix.

 MLS

• N.A. SuperLiga: Semifinals dates set. 
• SUM Cup U17: Chivas USA 1, Revs 0. 
• SUM Cup U17: Seattle over FC Dallas in a penalty kick tiebreaker.
• SUM Cup U17: Seattle over Philadelphia 2-1.
• SUM Cup U17: Houston over New England 3-1.
• Columbus U19's down FC Delco 1-0 to win McGuire National Cup.  
• Philadelphia Union Signs Eduardo "Chacho" Coudet.
• Revolution waives Michael Videira.
• Tottenham Boss Harry Redknapp Willing To Loan Players To MLS.
• Andrea Canales: Major League Soccer Is Deserving Of New Signings. 
• Chicago Fire NPSL team(U23) win USASA National Cup. 

Around the World and other Stuff

• FMF: Santos Laguna move to top of table.  
• Video: Argentina's fierce football rivalry.  
• Brasil Campeonato: Fluminense beat Cruzeiro to go top. 
• Jonathan Wilson: Zenit the team to beat in Russia.
• Sudan Risks FIFA Ban From International Soccer.
• Football club scout scam warning.
• UEFA Takes Step Forward on Supporter-Club Relations.
• Political Struggle Paralyses Iraqi Soccer Vote.
• Northern Exposure: The People’s Team Abroad.
• Two Clubs Handed 3 - 0 Europa League Defeats By UEFA.
• Debt-ridden Mallorca denied Europa League slot, gives Villarreal slot.
• FIFA clears Australia's '22 World Cup bid of wrongdoing.
• Manchester City bring football to a rooftop in Spanish Harlem.
• New rules force Man City to sell 12 players.
• Tom Dunmore: The National Football Centre: Is It Actually Worthwhile For English Youth Development?

Player Moves

• Manchester City signs Serbian defender Kolarov. 
• Sunderland sign defender Angeleri from Estudiantes. 
• Sunderland also sign defender Titus Bramble. 
• Kacar transfers to Hamburg.
• Newcastle sign Dan Gosling. 
• Paraguay's Alcaraz Completes Wigan Move. 
• Guti leaves Real Madrid to sign for Besiktas.

The Business of Soccer

• Sheffield Wednesday issued with winding-up order by HMRC. 

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News and Views from Wed Jul 14

Starters

The number of morons denigrating MLS' signing of Thierry Henry is astounding. Then again, that's what I get for assigning a higher level of awareness to soccer fans than they deserve.
Hope you all had a good Bastille Day.

MLS

• RBNY: Henry Signing Official.
• Kyle McCarthy: On Henry and MLS. 
• Andrea Canales: Henry Brings In A Different Type Of MLS Fan. 
• Thierry Henry Signing Creates Worldwide Multimedia Tidal Wave.
• Andrea Canales: Beckham Shows Henry The Way.
• Steve Davis: MLS teams ponder new DP signings.  
• Chivas USA signs playmaker Espinoza.
• Jason Davis: Landin Released: Blame Dom or Praise Him?
• N.A. SuperLiga: All Time MLS Statistics. 
• KC surprises Columbus with its first road win of the season. 
• Philadelphia wins its first ever international friendly, defeating Celtic.

The Last World Cup Articles

• Kenn.com: 10 things we learned from World Cup 2010.
• World Cup TV: Many Viewers, No Profits.
• The Social World Cup.
• The World Cup on the Net.
• Sepp Blatter's slick patter sticks in South Africa's craw.

Club Tourneys

• N.A. SuperLiga: Revolution 1, Pumas 0.
• N.A. SuperLiga: Morelia 5, Chicago 1.

N.A. SuperLiga
Group A
	W	D	L	Pts	GD
Monarchas Morelia	1	0	0	3	4
New England	1	0	0	3	1
UNAM Pumas	0	0	1	0	-1
Chicago	0	0	1	0	-4
Group B
	W	D	L	Pts	GD
Chivas USA	0	0	0	0	0
Pachuca	0	0	0	0	0
Puebla	0	0	0	0	0
Houston	0	0	0	0	0

Around the World and other Stuff

• Brian Quarstad: Rethinking Division-2 Pro Soccer in North America – Part 2. 
• What next for 4-4-2?
• Blanco To Join Irapuato.(unconfirmed)
• Rommedahl signs with Olympiakos.
• Juliano Belletti heads for Fluminense.
• Match-fixing scandal: 270 matches under suspicion. 
• The demise of the 4-4-2 and the importance of holding midfielders. 
• Why Henry’s move might not kickstart transfer window. 
• Barcelona secures $197 million bank loan. 
• It is time for English football to face up to its own banking crisis. 
• Premier League or Premier Lame. 
• International Football Tournaments Between Now and World Cup 2014.

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News and Views from Thu Jun 24

Starting Off

• Special 1 TV World Cup Special.
• Video from No Short Corners: High Five World Cup.

MLS

• Revs sign their 3rd round pick in 2010 draft.
• Wizards looking to get back on track.
• Columbus keeping eyes on the prize(s).
• Rapids look to address midfield dilemma.
• Union prepare for sold out opener at new stadium, but under a cloud.

World Cup On Field News and Updates

• FIFA
• ESPNSoccernet
• Goal.com
• The Guardian
• SI
• Friday game capsules.
• About Italy. 
• World Cup hosts make wrong history.

Non Game Specific Football World Cup Stories

• TV ratings in England.
• Scientists examine the Jabulani.
• Digital world metrics of the Cup.
• African football has a ways to go.
• German diversity.
• The 'striker' and the reporter.

Not World Cup News

• Has Rafael Marquez brought the sweeper role back to the modern game?
• Soccer: A family affair.
• Coaching change and money from Cooper in St. Louis.

US World Cup News and Stories

• From Lalas to Landon: What Is The American Style Of Play?
• For the US, The Day That Changed the Game ...
• US Cup run inspiring fans.
• Thank the MLS for the rise of USA and Landon Donovan. Note that this was written by a 'civillian', not a journalist from the Guardian.
• US Soccer: The Rise Of A Nation.
• World Cup, USA/Algeria: Ratings by the numbers.
• Kenn.com: USMNT World Cup TV ratings, 1990-2010.
• Soccer for the casual fans. 
• The US a World Cup Semi-Finalist? God Help 'US'!
• Video: And from the Colbert Report. 
• Jonathan Wilson: A look at Ghana.

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News and Views from Wed May 19

MLS

• Expansion: Miami fans renew expansion push. 
• LA draws Puerto Rico, Seattle draws Central American team in CCL preliminary play.
• Crew set CONCACAF Champions League as priority.
• Portuguese champs Benfica defeat Revs in friendly.
• Philadelphia sells out season ticket packages.

Interesting Reads

• Peter Wilt: Sports results effect on one fan's psyche.
• Some statistical comparisons of the top Euro leagues.
• US players and the Mexican league.
• Brian Zygo: Americans cheering for England and the USA on June 12.

Player Moves

• David Villa moves to Barcelona.
• Keeper Ben Foster signs with Birmingham City.

The Business of Soccer

• The latest accounts of EPL clubs.
• European reform movement.
• La Liga debts. Trouble ahead?

Club Tourneys

• CONCACAF Champions League draw.
• Sevilla win Copa del Rey. 
• Sao Paulo over Cruzeiro to move into Copa Libertadores semifinals.
• Canadian NutraLite Championship: Vancouver draws with Toronto to stay alive in tourney.
• Chicago Fire fall as Sister Cities International Tourney gets underway.

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News and Views from May 5

MLS

• Midweek action: DCU and FCD get first wins. Goats munch on Revs. Gals keep winning. After losing just 2 regular season home games in two years, Houston has lost 2 of 5 at home this year. The Galaxy have yet to yield a goal on the road.
• Steve Davis ranks the 2010 rookie class.
• Goal.com: Is Aggressiveness Hurting The Philadelphia Union?

Interesting Reads

• Fascinating to see the make-up of the USMNT U-20 team as they head to the Netherlands.
• A tale for soccer fanatics.
• The Best Eleven: League leading point totals for 38 game leagues, 2000-2010.
• Pitch Invasion: Peter Wilt's vision of American soccer in 2020.
• US getting closer to winning at England's game.
• Sid Lowe: Atletico Madrid and it's quest for 1st trophy in 14 years.

Around the World

• Triobet Baltic League: Semi-Final Quartet Decided.
• Inter over Roma in Coppa Italia final.
• Chester football is back.
• After failing to reach the Champions League, Daniel Taylor of the Guardian thinks Manchester City will struggle to get A-list players.

World Cup

• Howard Hamilton: Catching up with Project 2010.
• Tickets remain unsold.
• Algeria World Cup squad analysis.
• Team profile: Portugal.

The Business of Soccer

• FA loses key sponsorship.

Club Tournaments

• US Open Cup  - Competition structure finalized.
  
• CAF Champions League(Africa) - Play resumes on May 8
  
• AFC Champions League(Asia) - Play resumes on May 11
  
• UEFA Champions League(Europe) - final May 22, Bayern Munich v Inter Milan
  
• CONCACAF Champions League(North America) - 2010 Champs - Pachuca
  
• Copa Libertadores(South America) - Estudiantes, Flamengo and Cruzeiro thru to quarterfinals.
  
• Europa League(Europe) - final: Atletico Madrid v Fulham
  
• Nutralite Canadian Championship - Day 2 - Vancouver 1-1 Montreal
  

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News and Views from Wed Apr 21

MLS

• Video: Inside the SuperDraft Part 3.
• J Hutcherson: The parity question.
• It's a matter of style.
• Video: Lovel Palmer's Goal of the Week.
• SuperDraft talent getting deeper.

World Cup

• Buddle and Gomez for the US, the discussion continues.
• Ghana's Essien not sure he'll recover in time for Cup.
• A look at Group D with the Australian coach.

Around the World

• Scottish League attendance woes.
• Get your Dutch on.
• Italian FA reopens match fixing investigation.
• Union forms partnership with Widener University.
• Columbus fans: Passing the bye week time.
• A crash course on Russian football - Part 1 - Part 2
• Video: Post match brawl mars CFU Championships.

Summer Friendlies in North America

• Turkey will play Northern Ireland on May 25, US on May 29. 
• The inaugural New York Football Challenge will take place July 22-25. Manchester City, Tottenham and Sporting Lisbon will join RBNY at Red Bull Arena.

Summer Club Friendlies
Opponents	Venue	Date
Tottenham v San Jose	Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, CA	Sat, July 17
Cruzeiro v NE	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA	Sun, June 13
AC Milan v Montreal Impact	Olympic Stadium, Montreal, CA	Wed, June 02
AC Milan v Chicago Fire	Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL	Sun, May 30
AC Milan v DCU	RFK Stadium, Washington, DC	Wed, May 26
Juventus v Fiorentina	Rogers Centre, Toronto, CA	Tue, May 25
Juventus v RBNY	Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ	Sun, May 23
Fiorentina v Montreal Impact	Olympic Stadium, Montreal, CA	Sun, May 23

Don't know how well the Cruzeiro/Revs match will do as there is a full slate of World Cup matches on that date, but neither the US nor Brasil play on the 13th. The detractors of these friendlies have already been making their voices heard. As most of these are post season friendlies(for the visiting teams), the best players will be off with their national teams preparing for the World Cup, while the remainder of the best, might be inclined to rest after a busy season. I suspect only contractural agreements would have us see any of the top players not participating in the Cup. The one exception is the Tottenham/SJ match which will be after the WC.

The Business of Soccer

• Portsmouth's books fully exposed.
• ESPN2 EPL ratings.
• Forbes: Most Valuable Teams' values decline.

Club Tournaments

• CAF Champions League(Africa)
• AFC Champions League(Asia)
  
• UEFA Champions League(Europe) - Bayern down Lyon in semifinal first leg.
  
• CONCACAF Champions League(North America) - Cruz Azul over Pachuca 2-1 in 1st leg of final.
  
• Copa Libertadores(South America) - Banfield go through.
  
• Europa League(Europe)

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News and Views from Thur Apr 15

MLS

• TFC wins home opener vs Philadelphia.

Player Moves(MLS transfer window closed Apr 15, reopens July 15)

Many people expected a flurry of DP signings by April 15th. Unless teams are holding back announcements, it appears that the window after the World Cup will be the busy signing period. And of course, the cap will only take a half hit for the balance of the season for July signings.

• RBNY signs midfielder Nielsen on loan.

Interesting Reads

• The Yanks are Coming: Idiot's guide to the World Cup, Part 1.
• I often see commenters to articles about the Designated Player bemoaning the failures. Let's face it, any sports fan knows that DP's or high priced free agents in many sports fail to live up to expectations. Here's Footy Factor opinion on this season's Euro big transfer fails.

The Business of Soccer

• World Cup over the counter sales not without problems.
• The Guardian: The Premier League will launch a legal challenge to Ofcom's ruling forcing Sky to cut the price it charges rival broadcasters to carry their sports channels.
• FIFA: Nepotism, it's everywhere.
• An article on Toyota Park's economic impact.

Around the World

• Mexican midweek roundup.
• USSF D2 at Wikipedia - Not bad.
• Premier League extends parachute payments.
• CFU Club Championships get under way.

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After the Weekend Apr 10-11

Feeling pretty good. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this is the first year I've decided to root for a specific MLS team. It's the Union, since Philly was the last place I lived that has an MLS club. Am just over the moon with the way Philly fans turned out for the home opener. The win was just a bonus. Now I just hope the enthusiasm will remain as the team is likely to experience some difficulties with 7 of its next 8 games on the road as they wait for the completion of their new home, PPL Park. I'll also be watching closely once PPL Park opens to see if folks will make the short trek to Chester. Philly fans have grown accustomed to 'one-stop shopping' for their major teams, all located at the Sports Complex in South Philly. Meanwhile, Go Union!

MLS

• My weekly attendance report.
• A fan reacts to DC United's horrendous start.
• And a Philly fan reacts to the Union home opener.
• And Philly has a new fan.
• Jason Davis: For him, MLS trumps La Liga's El Clásico.
• Mike Jacobs: College soccer continues to feed MLS.
• Video: Q & A with The Don.
• MLS teams begin US Open Cup play-ins this week.

USSF D2 Play Begins

• NASL
• USL
• The Schedule at USSoccer.

Interesting Reads

• Keith Hickey: Has the US outgrown CONCACAF? Agree or disagree, it's a topic that pops up every now and again.

Around the World

• ESPNSoccernet: Guadalajara were knocked off the top of Mexico's Torneo Bicentario table
• Hexagonal Blog: Haitian football starts its revival.
• Panathinaikos are Greek League Champs.
• Jamaican Premier League update.

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Title and Champions League Races in Europe

	GP	W	D	L	GD	Pts
EPL
Chelsea	33	23	5	5	54	74
Manchester Utd	34	23	4	7	50	73
Arsenal	33	22	5	6	41	71
Manchester City	33	17	11	5	28	62
Tottenham	32	17	7	8	26	58
Liverpool	34	16	8	10	21	56
Bundesliga
Bayern Munich	30	17	9	4	30	60
Schalke 04	30	17	7	6	21	58
Bayer Leverkusen	30	14	12	4	25	54
Dortmund	30	15	7	8	13	52
Werder Bremen	30	14	9	7	26	51
Hamburg SV	30	12	12	6	16	48
Ligue 1
Marseille	31	18	8	5	27	62
Auxerre	32	17	9	6	7	60
Lyon	32	16	10	6	19	58
Montpellier	32	17	7	8	7	58
Bordeaux	30	17	5	8	20	56
Lille	32	16	7	9	23	55
Serie A
AS Roma	33	20	8	5	23	68
Internazionale	33	19	10	4	33	67
AC Milan	33	18	10	5	21	64
Palermo	33	15	9	9	8	54
Sampdoria	33	15	9	9	3	54
Juventus	33	15	6	12	2	51
La Liga
Barcelona	31	25	5	1	58	80
Real Madrid	31	25	2	4	55	77
Valencia	31	16	8	7	15	56
Sevilla FC	31	15	6	10	9	51
Mallorca	31	15	6	10	13	51
Athletic Bilbao	31	14	6	11	3	48

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News and Views from Fri Apr 9

MLS

• Jeff Carlisle: Union fans prepping for home opener.
• Kyle McCarthy: The Revs defense.
• The folks at Down the Byline found this story about the Fire playing teams from 'sister cities'.

Player Moves

• Philadelphia signs former USL MVP Arrieta
• RailHawks sign former Crew member Elenio.
• Miami FC adds two players.
• Ibrahim signs with Red Bulls.

USSF D2

• USL Conference Preview
• NASL Conference Preview
• USSF preview radio show

Interesting Reads

• The Offside: Slavia Sofia President Saves Player’s Life
• Jakarta Casual: Swelling the coffers of the AFC

The Business of Soccer

• Kenn.com: The Business of Indoor Soccer c.1998
• Spain's footballers call strike for Apr 16-19

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News and Views from Thursday Mar 25

Openers

• Seattle tops Philadelphia in Union's inaugural match.
• Consolidated MLS preseason power rankings and conference predictions.

MLS

• J Hutcherson: MLS Object Lesson.
• Tom Dunmore: Disappointed with new MLS website.
• Du Nord: Top 10 MLS significant signings and influential departures.
• WV Hooligan: Bold predictions for 2010.
• Steve Davis: 10 storylines for 2010.
• Vancouver preparing for transition to MLS in 2011.
• Dynamo stadium passes crucial vote.

Player Moves

• TFC sends Wynne to Rapids, get LaBrocca and 3rd round 2011 draft pick.
• US Evertonian pair on trial with Motherwell.
• Wade Barrett retires, joins Dynamo staff.
• Former MLS MVP signs with Miami FC.
• DC United sign Bolivian international defender.

More soccer in the USA

• RailHawks announce U-23 program.

Interesting Reads

• Howard Hamilton: A new approach to a soccer plus/minus metric.

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News and Views from Friday Mar 19

MLS Preseason

• WV Hooligan with a little preview.
• Frank Dell-Apa's preview of the Rapids.
• Jeff Carlisle's preview of the Quakes.
• Union lose in preseason finale.

MLS

• Sueño 2010 details will be unveiled on Sunday.

Player Moves

• RSL adds 2, drops 1.
• Houston signs Jamaican midfielder.
• Former ChivasUSA keeper Parker signs with Miami FC.
• ChivasUSA defender Talley waived.

Interesting Reads(and listens)

• In defense of American soccer.
• Football - Better heard than seen?
• Richard Farley, Drew Epperly and Bruce McGuire - Pocast - A good listen.

Around the World

• FIFA lifts ban on Iraq.

The Business of Soccer

• FIFA politics(and money).
• MLS tells players they will have to pay for own health insurance if they strike.

Club Tournaments

• CONCACAF Champions League - A failure?

• CONCACAF Champions League. All Mexican semifinals.
• Asian Champions League. Click for the quarterfinal draw.
• UEFA Europa League. Click for the quarterfinal draw.
• Copa Libertadores. Sao Paulo defeats Libertad.

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After the Weekend Mar 13-14

MLS Preseason

• ChivasUSA/Galaxy play to 0-0 draw.
• RSL drops opener in Carolina Challenge Cup.
• TFC draw at the Carolina Challenge Cup.
• The entertaining Fullback Files with a DC United roster reset.
• Revs down USL-2 Charlotte.
• Union fall to FC Dallas.

Interesting Reads

• Have you read about former MLS'er Herculez Gomez and his adventure in the Mexican league?

The Business of Soccer

• Gary Andrews at Pitch Invasion continues the series on Fan ownership of football clubs.
• Howard Hamilton reports that the Caribbean federations are strapped for cash.
• The final post of the series on Fan ownership of football clubs.
• English soccer headed for salary caps?

Around the World

• Eredivisie round-up.
• Recap of Mexican League action.
• David Beckam's dream of playing in the 2010 World Cup is ended with a possible career ending injury. He ruptured his left Achilles' tendon in a match on Sunday. Awful news. I was watching the match when he pulled up lame and it was obvious that he was in serious distress.

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Title and Champions League Races in Europe

	GP	W	D	L	GD	Pts
EPL
Manchester Utd	30	21	3	6	46	66
Chelsea	29	20	4	5	42	64
Arsenal	30	20	4	6	38	64
Tottenham	29	15	7	7	25	52
Bundesliga
Bayern Munich	26	16	8	2	31	56
Schalke 04	26	16	6	4	22	54
Bayer Leverkusen	26	14	11	1	31	53
Dortmund	26	13	6	7	10	45
Ligue 1
Bordeaux	27	16	5	6	21	53
Montpellier	28	16	5	7	9	53
Auxerre	28	15	7	6	5	52
Lille	28	15	6	7	23	51
Serie A
Internazionale	28	17	8	3	28	59
AC Milan	28	17	7	4	21	58
AS Roma	28	15	8	5	16	53
Palermo	28	13	7	8	6	46
La Liga
Real Madrid	26	21	2	3	50	65
Barcelona	26	20	5	1	48	65
Valencia	26	13	8	4	13	47
Sevilla FC	26	13	5	8	10	44

The races in Germany and Italy have assumed a heightened importance as Italy is in danger of surrendering its fourth UEFA Champions League berth to Germany. The results of this year's UCL and Europa League will be the determining factor.

After the Weekend - Mar 6-7

 Arizona Sahuaros/Kansas City Wizards action

MLS Preseason
Dallas/Chicago will scrimmage in Magnolia state.
ChivasUSA to scrimmage with Fresno.
RSL preseason scrimmage.
The Fullback Files looks at DC United's roster.
Houston and Austin scrimmage to a draw.
Sounders and Whitecaps in scoreless draw.
Wizards end Arizona stay with win.

MLS
One of my favorite writers, Bill Archer, lays into both sides of the CBA. One shot for the players, one for the owners.

Player Moves
Philadelphia signs Colombian Roger Torres.
Toronto release Carl Robinson, who is on trial now with RBNY.

Interesting Reads
International Football Association Board (IFAB) say no to technology in football.
Thanks to Richard Whittall for this own goal.
A brief intro to the 2010 J-League.

The Business of Soccer
Painting an un-pretty picture of EPL club finances.
FC Moscow go out of business.
A proverbial guide for new football owners.
Footiebusiness: What it means to mediate.

Club Tournaments
An Idiot's Guide to the Asian Champions League.

Around the World
Melbourne will play in the A-League's Grand Final for 3rd time in 4 years.

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Title and Champions League Races in Europe

	GP	W	D	L	GD	Pts
EPL
Manchester Utd	29	20	3	6	43	63
Chelsea	28	19	4	5	39	61
Arsenal	29	19	4	6	37	61
Tottenham	28	14	7	7	23	49
Bundesliga
Bayern Munich	25	15	8	2	30	53
Schalke 04	25	15	6	4	21	51
Bayer Leverkusen	25	13	11	1	29	50
Hamburg	25	11	10	4	18	43
Ligue 1
Bordeaux	25	16	4	5	22	52
Montpellier	27	16	4	7	9	52
Lyon	27	14	8	5	17	50
Marseille	26	14	7	5	19	49
Serie A
Internazionale	27	17	8	2	30	59
AC Milan	27	16	7	4	20	55
AS Roma	27	15	7	5	16	52
Palermo	27	13	7	7	7	46
La Liga
Real Madrid	25	20	2	3	47	62
Barcelona	25	19	5	1	45	62
Valencia	24	13	7	4	16	46
Sevilla FC	25	13	4	8	10	43

News and Views from Tuesday Mar 2

MLS Preseason

• Quakes beat Cal in preseason match.
• WV Hooligan's look at RSL. 
• Philly wins in Mexico.

MLS

• MLS and the CONCACAF Champions League by yours truly.
• Seven Sounder Questions.
• Starting 11 not yet set in Philadelphia.
• A dissection of TFC's defense.

Player Moves

• Winger Ryan Smith has signed with Kansas City.
• DCU roster moves. 
• RSL trims roster.

The Business of Soccer

• Portsmouth still on edge.
• The BBC chimes in on player wages.

Interesting Reads

• Peruvian club soccer belies national team's poor performance.