Earl Reed

The Houston Dynamo took advantage of two defensive lapses in the first half, then relied on goalkeeper Tally Hall to edge the Philadelphia Union in the first leg of their MLS Cup Quarterfinal series 2-1. Philadelphia began the match with a wrinkle. Manager Peter Nowak added defensive midfield specialist Stefani Miglioranzi to the starting lineup, […]

Tomorrow, the meat of the MLS Cup Playoffs begin, and we can look forward to seeing all of the matches televised. Some of us, that is. ESPN publicized their plans for the Quarterfinals today. ESPN2 will be airing both legs of the Titanic Budget Derby, also known as the Los Angeles Galaxy versus the New […]

This weekend sees Wigan entertain Fulham with both in desperate need of a result of any description. So what has happened to Wigan this year? Nothing much really if we’re honest. Their form has been pretty abysmal for a sustained spell of time and if this continues then they will no longer be plying their […]

With the MLS Cup Playoffs on the verge of beginning, I'm going to embark on a post here that tends to evoke some debate. The diversity of opinions when it comes to how the top-flight of American soccer should decide their champion is vast. You could be a straight single table, most points takes all […]

So has everyone caught their breath? Well, if you were a fan of four Eastern Conference teams, this evening was a pins-and-needles expedition. With as much criticism as has been leveled towards a playoff system where 10 out of 18 teams qualify, the way Major League Soccer organized the playoff structure has created some grand […]

The late game on the Saturday docket for the Premier League saw Norwich City equalize and hold on, earning a point at Anfield against Liverpool. Without Lucas Leiva, who was serving a mandatory match suspension for yellow card accumulation, Kenny Dalglish chose an attacking 4-4-2 setup. While effectively having three forwards on the pitch, Craig […]

This weekend’s game between the two Manchester clubs promises much and we all certainly hope it delivers. A City win would hand them a five point advantage over their bitter rivals, while a United win would propel them to top of the table in the process displacing their ‘’Noisy Neighbours’’. So who’s going to win? […]

It's tough to believe we've reached the end of the 2011 season already. Seems like yesterday that Robert, Daniel, Kristan and I were hashing out who would be previewing which teams. I wanted to preview the local Philadelphia Union, and was granted the privilege. For kicks, I just looked back at my preview article, and […]

Ryan Giggs rightly is held in the highest regard by all true fans of the game, yet the question remains whether he is past his sell by date. Certainly if one were to look at the facts and see he has already scored two goals this season than the argument may seem ludicrous. However, his […]

Manchester United against Liverpool is one of the biggest games of the season, and frankly — as a football fan — I am filled with excitement. Certainly United’s start suggests that at worst a draw is the result United will claim from Anfield. However upon closer inspection, this game provides a great opportunity for Liverpool. […]

While I realize that the above graphic may be a bit misleading (MLS has already stated their 2012 season will begin in early March), February start dates for the league may not be far off. In a surprisingly candid statement to the media today at a training session for tomorrow's match vs. Ecuador, Jurgen Klinsmann […]

B.C. These letters can mean a number of different things. In mainstream American sports, Boston College immediately comes to mind, primarily as a college football mainstay. For the non-sport initiated, B.C. used to be a time annotation. It was meant to indicate the time Before Christ (before historians adjusted to the more secular Before Common […]

Monday morning, the day we all tend to dread. Roll out of bed, put on your threads and head off to either work or school to put in your "eight hours." For Americans like myself, one of the first talking points on Monday morning in your pursuit to clear the cobwebs tends to be sports. […]

A season-defining September match, three points towards a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Philadelphia Union, behind a clinical strike from their second round draft pick, stated their intentions for the Eastern Conference, defeating DC United 3-2. Michael Farfan, a midfielder who coach Peter Nowak has used in multiple roles in the squad, took […]

Manchester City found a way through at Etihad Stadium against a venerable Everton group, earning the 2-0 victory and a share of first place in the Barclays Premier League. City set up in the same formation they've used in the league since the close of the transfer window. It's 4-2-2-2, marked by no wide players […]