When Chelsea signed Michael Ballack as a free agent in the summer of 2006, it was regarded as a coup. With both Manchester United and both Milan clubs apparently tracking the dynamic German Midfielder, reports actually indicated a fear for Lampard’s presence in the Chelsea midfield.

Brazil is one of the anointed co-favorites but are in the tritely dubbed Group of Death with Cote d'Ivoire, North Korea and rival Portugal. On this edition of the World Cpu Buzz podcast, Laurence McKeena, Kartik Krishnaiyer and myself look at the Selecao and the rest of World Cup's Group G, discussing each team and […]

Brazil is one of the anointed co-favorites but are in the tritely dubbed Group of Death with Cote d'Ivoire, North Korea and rival Portugal. On this edition of the World Cpu Buzz podcast, Laurence McKeena, Kartik Krishnaiyer and myself look at the Selecao and the rest of World Cup's Group G, discussing each team and […]

Liverpool fans swarmed Anfield on Thursday in protest against the removal of manager Rafa Benitez and of the reckless ownership of two Americans, Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The story is nothing new. Liverpool fans have been adamant in calls for new ownership for the past several months. Attending the Portsmouth match at Anfield with my father in March, […]

After Major League Soccer, Premier Development League & US Adult Soccer Association went thru their whole qualifying within a month and a half period, US Soccer finally had their draw for the first round of the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. As usual US Soccer tries to pair the sides into more of a […]

The World Cup is one week away, and if you are a soccer fan, it is hard not to be anxious for the tournament to begin. In anticipation of the first Group F match on June 14 (Italy v. Paraguay) I will post of preview of the other three teams in Group F, to help […]

He's played every minute of all Galaxy's league matches, part of the back line that has allowed only two goals this season. On this edition of the Major League Soccer Talk podcast, I am joined by Todd Dunivant to talk about this weekend's big win over the Columbus Crew and Galaxy's start to the 2010 […]

Despite winning their UEFA qualifying group, the defending world champions' Italy have failed to impress since winning the 2006 World Cup. Many will point to history in warning against reading too much into the Italian's results, while others will point to the squad's age as a reason to think a different type of history will […]

The trailer for the upcoming relaunch of Special 1 TV, this time on BBC 3, has been launched (see above video). While I'm excited about the show coming back on the airwaves, I must say that I am very underwhelmed by the trailer. They could have put some effort into it rather than this weak […]

It's still fresh in our memory banks of what happened to Preston Burpo on a challenge with New York Red Bulls midfielder Dane Richards. That terrible challenge when both men were at the ball at the same time & after the clearance there was a snap. That was a pure accidental moment right off the bat. […]

In one of the all time moments of counting chickens before they've hatched, Nike, in all their brilliant ad campaign glory have erected a giant rock billboard emulating Mount Rushmore in London featuring the faces of some of the key England players heading to South Africa. Only problem is that one of those key faces happens to […]

Liverpool has confirmed that Rafa Benitez is leaving the club by mutual consent. "Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul but after a disappointing season both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned," said Liverpool FC Chairman Martin […]

Barney Ronay, author and football writer for The Guardian, sat down with Laurence McKenna of EPL Talk recently for a one-on-one interview from the Guardian studos in London. Ronay discusses several topics including his favorite football manager, his favorite football writer, how he got into football journalism, what he did before he became a writer […]

It's already been a year full of off-field news – good and bad – for Major League Soccer. And it may be about to pick up again. MLS and Versus are talking about a potential TV partnership after the league's current deal with Fox Soccer Channel expires at the end of this season. The story suggests […]

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to make your predictions for the 2010 World Cup. Who will advance from each group, and who will go on to win the tournament? The top two teams from each group will advance past the Group Stage and into the round of 16. Then it's into the quarter-finals, then semi-finals […]