It’s time for the annual obsession of getting excited and opinionated about the official jerseys released by each of 20 Premier League clubs.

Whether you’re a fan of a specific club or want to see what your opponents will be wearing this Premier League season, take a look at the complete list of jerseys for every team in the league.

Adidas is the leading jersey manufacturer, this time with six sides suiting up in the famous three stripes. The company also has the season’s ­– and in fact, the biggest in history – shirt deal with Manchester United.

Nike only has one representative, Manchester City. The last time just one team in England’s top division had the swoosh on their shirt was the 1999-2000 season.

Perhaps the other supplier making waves is New Balance, which begins its journey into the soccer world this campaign, replacing its subsidiary Warrior. Two Premier League sides, Liverpool and Stoke City, will be wearing the logo, along with big names like Celtic, Porto and Sevilla.

Here are the jerseys for all of the Premier League clubs, as of press time:

Arsenal

Arsenal home jersey 2015/16

Arsenal away jersey 2015/16 

Aston Villa

Aston Villa home jersey 2015/16

Aston Villa away jersey 2015/16

Bournemouth

Bournemouth home jersey 2015/16

Bournemouth away jersey 2015/16

Bournemouth third jersey 2015/16 

Chelsea

Chelsea home jersey 2015/16

Chelsea away jersey 2015/16

Crystal Palace

Coming off a tenth place finish last season, Palace have already released both their home and away strips.

The home shirt features wider, asymmetrical stripes, and the colors are also a shade darker than those from the previous season. The white away shirt features both a red and blue stripe down the middle, evoking the famous sash design with the same colors worn by the club in the 1970s and 80s.

Crystal Palace home jersey 2015/16

Crystal Palace away jersey 2015/16

Everton

Everton home jersey 2015/16

Everton away jersey 2015/16

Everton third jersey 2015/16

The Blues revealed their home kit in time to wear it on the final day of last season. Featuring a white faux-v-neck collar, the Everton home shirt is a classic and classy one, with the blue extending to the top part of the team’s white shorts. It also featured the letters “NSNO” on the back of the neck, referring to the club slogan “Nil Satis Nisi Optimum” (Nothing but the best). Socks return to white with blue trim on top after a season in dark blue. Thailand’s Chang Beer return as shirt sponsors for the 12th season.

Leicester City

Leicester City home jersey 2015/16

Leicester City away jersey 2015/16

After surviving relegation, Leicester City will run out in 2015 in an all-blue strip, with an understated stripe pattern and new King Power logo. Gone is the traditional button-up collar from last season, along with the gold lining on both sides.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s new home jersey is standard red, with a line going down on each side of the collar. Unlike the past two seasons, the Liver bird crest is white, like the New Balance logo and shirt sponsor Standard Chartered. Also featured on the front is an understated checkered pattern on the top half, and thin stripes on the bottom.

A black third strip has also been revealed, and it’s another fine effort. A red-white thin stripe goes down each sleeve and the bottom of the collar, along with a thin hooped pattern on the lower part of the shirt’s front.

Liverpool home jersey 2015/16

Liverpool away jersey 2015/16

Liverpool third jersey 2015/16

Manchester City

Manchester City home jersey 2015/16

Manchester City away jersey 2015/16

Manchester United

Manchester United home jersey 2015/16

Newcastle United

New manager Steve McClaren will take charge of Newcastle side in a home strip with three large black stripes on the front, and many hints of light blue elsewhere. The color, shirt sponsor and cuffs are all light blue, as is a series of thin slashes on the black stripes.

Also revealed in an interesting navy blue third kit, with a sash that is pink-orange on top and white on bottom, with pink-orange trim on the end of the sleeves.

Newcastle United home jersey 2015/16

Newcastle United away jersey 2015/16

Newcastle United third jersey 2015/16

Norwich City

Norwich City home jersey 2015/16

Norwich City away jersey 2015/16

Norwich City third jersey 2015/16

Southampton

Southampton home jersey 2015/16

Southampton away jersey 2015/16

Southampton, last season’s surprise package, are back with Adidas after a year of supplying kits themselves. The home shirt is classic for Adidas: wide red-and-white stripes on the front, and three white stripes over red on the sleeves. The circular white collar is a nice touch as well.

Meanwhile the away takes a departure from the team’s history and is a neon green with a dark blue sash on the front and blue stripes on the shoulders. The entire combo of the shirt, blue shorts and green socks, actually doesn’t look too bad.

Stoke City

Stoke City home jersey 2015/16

Stoke City away jersey 2015/16

New Balance’s other Premier League team, Stoke City, will also have a traditional home shirt, as the new Stoke shirt is exactly what you’d expect. They continue the sash design in a black away shirt with a sash in a similar color to Southampton’s away shirt. The green also lines the collar and the end of the sleeves.

Sunderland

Another Adidas side, Sunderland have also gone for traditional in their home shirt. The famous red and white stripes are on the front, while the sleeves are white with red Adidas stripes on the shoulders. New sponsor Dafabet might be the talking point on this shirt because the company’s logo sticks out more than anything on the rest of the kit.

Sunderland home jersey 2015/16

Swansea City

The Swansea home shirt is another fantastic one, as all they’ve all been since the Welsh side signed with Adidas. This shirt, in particular, is similar to their centenary kits of 2012-13, with the white shirt lined by copper on the shoulders.

With their away jersey, Swansea has joined the crowded group of teams who turn to neon green this season.

Swansea City home jersey 2015/16

Swansea City away jersey 2015/16

Tottenham Hotspur

Another team, another sash, though Spurs pull theirs off in decent fashion with a blue line going diagonally across the shirt while split into small strips. All in all, it’s probably the best home shirt Under Armour has produced.

Tottenham Hotspur home jersey 2015/16

Tottenham Hotspur away jersey 2015/16

Watford

Newly promoted Watford return to the Premier League with a yellow home shirt lined with black on the side and end of the sleeves. Then there’s the black hooped pattern, starting thin and separate on the top and gradually getting thicker on the bottom.

Watford home jersey 2015/16

Watford away jersey 2015/16

West Ham United

West Ham United home jersey 2015/16

West Ham United home jersey 2015/16

West Ham have released the home kit for their final season at Upton Park. Just like Arsenal did with Highbury, they’ve released a new kit styled after the first one worn by the team at the retiring stadium. The shirt is claret with blue sleeves and blue across the circular neck. Under the crest is gold text that says “The Boleyn Ground 1904-2016.” There’s the same text on the back of the neck, set inside a facsimile of the gates to the ground.

West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion home jersey 2015/16

West Bromwich Albion away jersey 2015/16

So far my favorite new kit of the season has to be the away jersey released by West Brom. The throwback kit looks like something straight out of the late ‘70s, in a good way. It’s red, with black Adidas stripes on the shoulders and then ones on the front of the shirt. Instead of the traditional West Brom badge, there’s a script “WBA” diagonally on the front.

To wear the jersey from your favorite club, visit World Soccer Shop and get it delivered to your mailbox today.

The close season is, more than anything else, a time of change. Players and mangers come and go, club goals are reassessed and expectations molded. Similar to this summer, the corresponding months of 2006 also featured a World Cup, followed by its annual transfer merry-go-round.

That summer also featured change and uncertainty at one of the world’s biggest clubs, Manchester United. Despite winning the League Cup the season before, United had gone three consecutive seasons without winning a league title, the first drought of its kind since Sir Alex Ferguson captured his first championship in 1993. The talismanic Roy Keane had left the club during the season, and Ruud van Nistelrooy followed him in the summer. Add to all this a considerable doubt over the quality of recent signings, plus the backlash against the Glazers’ controversial takeover, and you had a environment where even the legendary manager was being questioned.

But the nadir was short-lived. Manchester United were revitalized by a new group of core performers, and the club was worthy winner of its 16th title. Four Premier League crowns in the next six seasons followed, as did two League Cups and one European title.

However, all good things must come to an end, and over the past few months three of those key pieces have finally moved on. The latest came on Monday when left-back Patrice Evra signed with Italian champions Juventus, joining Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand on his way out of Old Trafford. As Manchester United fans reflect back on the trio’s glittering in Manchester, one thing is abundantly clear: an era has come to an end.

The above photo – courtesy of Nooruddean Choudry – does a fantastic job of illustrating this changing of the guard. Those eleven men were about to beat do what only two Manchester United teams had done before: win a European Cup Final. Despite coming close to a quadruple during the next campaign the Moscow final was arguably the peak of Sir Alex Ferguson’s last great team. They’d seen off the challenges of Arsenal and Chelsea in the league, and managed to take the final step that was missing in 2009 and 2011. The good times didn’t end when Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs lifted old big ears late in the Russian evening, but they certainly wouldn’t reach the same heights.

Of course, it’s natural for a team to break apart. Players can’t stay young – or healthy – forever. So maybe the fact that, over six years later, only Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick remain from that team isn’t that big of shock. It has been clear in recent years that a new generation must take up the mantle at United, and now it’s finally happening for real.

It’s perhaps expected how Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra are all leaving during the same summer. While United have had an abundance of talent in all areas of the pitch, the performances of those three at the back – with Edwin van der Sar behind them – came to typify their success.

While the right back position rotated between the likes of Gary Neville, Wes Brown and John O’Shea, the rest of the defense remained constant. The telepathic relationship between Ferdinand and Vidic meant opposing forwards had their work cut out for them. Neither could strikers rely on getting much out of Evra on the left, an agile defender in his own right and a terrific attacking fullback when the opportunity was presented to him. No wonder they helped to set a clean sheet record in the 2008/09 season – there simply wasn’t a weakness.

As things remained the same in the back line pieces were being moved around the rest of the pitch. Of the team from 2008, both Tevez and Ronaldo left a year later to pursue different challenges; van der Sar and Scholes retired a few years down the line to end their glittering careers; Owen Hargreaves’ impressive debut season was sullied by injury in August of 2008, and he’d never be the same player again, and Wes Brown was moved on in 2011.

Those that remained – Rooney, Carrick, Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra – were the aging spine of the former European champions. And now, in one summer of change, three of them are gone. Now it’s up to a new team lead by Rooney (who is still, somehow, only 28) to spark another revitalization.

It won’t be easy. Last season’s disastrous campaign under David Moyes means no European soccer, but United don’t seem to be suffering. Just last week they were crowned the most valuable sports team in the world, and their new manager Louis van Gaal not only impressed with the Netherlands at the World Cup, but has also signed the talented young duo of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera.

But even with some deserved excitement there’s still much work to be done. Shaw, Herrera and whoever else is signed in the month need to click straight away. Losing Carrick for the next 10 weeks hasn’t helped anything either.

However, eight years ago United fans were also skeptical about what change would bring. It worked out in the end that time, and it might just do the same again.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup is over. A sad state of affairs for England, yes, but now that we’re officially in post-tournament mode there is still loads to talk about. Most of it will center around how one country got things right while the other 31 still have much work to do, or how the competition is going to impact the sport in years to come.

But for all the unpredictably it seemed to bring, this year’s World Cup still wound up giving us situations we could have predicted from the start. Among them are the reminders that two of world soccer’s oldest maxims show no signs of changing: England are hopeless, and Germany always win.

Most people have rightly pointed to the German soccer federation’s overhaul more than ten years ago when putting their country’s victory into context, and rightly so. Their record over the past seven tournaments (one title, two finals, five semi-finals) is simply remarkable. Don’t expect that to change, either. With the exception of Miroslav Klose, it’s understandable to assume that the vast majority of this German team will be back to take the field in Russia in four years time. And that doesn’t factor in the plethora of talented youngsters Germany already has in the pipeline.

But for all the joy Germans are experiencing, the English are at the other end of the spectrum. One point from three games is never going to induce goodwill, even if the attacking verve they showed against Italy is a promising sign for the future.

Once the final whistle blew in Rio, many England fans – and fans from other nations – were suggesting the English FA should to try emulate their Germany counterparts by instituting their own grand plan.

It seems like a good idea in theory, but one of the country’s loudest football voices was having none of it. 

Gary Neville tweeted Monday: “People who write – ‘England should follow the German route’ are either oblivious to the obstacle or believe in magic wands!”

Neville went on to explain how he believes the set-up in England isn’t conducive to running a model like Germany, where each club from the top two divisions was forced to maintain their own academy, with a focus on the development of technical players.

When you think about it, Neville isn’t saying anything groundbreaking. The German model hasn’t succeeded only because it’s a smart plan to implement, but because it’s the right system for the right country. Over the past few weeks many commentators have pointed to Germany’s economic might as perhaps the most important factor in this transformation. It takes an extremely populated and wealthy country like Germany to change their entire footballing landscape in such a terrific and, dare I say it, effective manner.

But still, Neville’s opinion should be taken seriously. After all, he has seen the ins and outs of the English game from a perspective few could match. Neville played for the English senior team for 12 years, and now as one of Roy Hodgson’s assistants, he must surely see the full spectrum of what it takes to produce a fine national team.

Neville wasn’t necessarily trying to make excuses for England’s present and future failures, he was only explaining how one country’s plan might not come off in another. Neville also tweeted that England need to find their own way of changing things, one more suited to their footballing structure.

Finding that solution is easier said than done – and it might require changes at the FA, something which seems less likely than an England World Cup victory – but it’s worth searching for.

Every nation besides Germany, from Brazil, to the USA, to Poland, are still looking for answers. England have been looking for far too long. To change all that, they’d be wise to take the advice of a man who’s seen and done it all.

We’re nearing the end of this glorious World Cup, which gives us time to look back and assess, to see who has benefitted the most from the tournament, and who have been the biggest losers.

Winners

1. TV ratings

The viewing figures for World Cup matches on US television continue to soar, reaching several new milestones including the USA-Portugal match being  the most-watched soccer game in American history. In fact, it was the most watched non-football event ever screened on ESPN. Now that’s impressive.

2. CONCACAF

Soccer is an extremely tribal sport, but one of the interesting aspects of this World Cup is how it has united fans in different ways. The clearest example of this is the glee many Americans have experienced from seeing the United States, Costa Rica and Mexico all making significant imprints on this tournament. Now, I’m not saying that USMNT fans were cheering for Mexico against Netherlands, but hopefully the strong performances by CONCACAF countries has silenced the doubters.

3. Free flowing, attacking soccer

Much like last season’s English Premier League season, where it was often a case of attack at every opportunity, this World Cup has been all about scoring goals. This is partially down to some dodgy defending, but it’s also been a result of coaches encouraging their players to attack, attack, attack instead of parking the bus for a draw. Whether or not this tournament is a one-off in that regard, we’ll have to see. But it’s wonderful to watch.

4. Last Call on ESPN

Often times discussion-based sports shows can seem a bit forced, even rehearsed on certain occasions, but ESPN has changed all of that with a new approach to soccer analysis, with their relaxed and informative Last Call show. It’s not only interesting to hear the opinions addressed, but to see their interactions with each other as well. It’s been a breath of fresh air.

5. Everton Football Club

I don’t think anyone is surprised by this at all, but Everton manager Roberto Martinez is as good a pundit as he is a manger. His work on ESPN’s 2010 World Cup coverage made many stand up and take notice, and the network’s decision to bring him back this time around was truly a no-brainer. I’d suspect he’s turning many Americans into fans of Everton, as well as the heroic goalkeeping by Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard for Team USA. It’s been a great summer for Everton, and they haven’t even kicked a ball yet.

6. USMNT fans at public venues

From an American perspective, this has to be one of the most exciting aspects of the tournament — seeing soccer fans coming out in force in places like Grant Park in Chicago, and Cowboy Stadium, as well as countless bars and pubs nationwide. The amount of passion shown by US fans this summer — in Brazil and the USA — has been extraordinary.

7. Goal-line technology

Video technology’s belated debut on the international stage is a welcome one, since all we ever want is to be completely sure of every goal-line decision. Well, unless you’re Jonathan Pearce. Now it’s time for the Bundesliga and MLS to get with the times and add the technology.

8. Univision

The 2014 FIFA World Cup has opened our eyes to Univision’s soccer coverage. The Spanish-language network has won a significant amount of new viewers thanks to a combination of making all games available via their over-the-air TV network, not requiring authentication for online viewing, and providing out-of-this world goal calls, who make any game on the channel required viewing.

9. Vanishing spray

In another World Cup debut, the spray bottles are welcome addition to the monotony of a wall being lined up. Plus, they’ve given us another British commentator gaffe. 

10. Kia

I’m not in the market for a new car, but if I was, I’d probably turn to Kia, for no other reason than this awesome commercial.

Losers

1. Work productivity 

Any excuse to slack off a bit is a welcome one, even in a nation filled with workaholics such as the United States. Those noon ET/9am PT kickoffs provide a perfect opportunity to divert some effort into a much more enjoyable task.

2. ABC

ABC’s decision to only show one out of the 4 USA World Cup games was a shame and lost opportunity. The soonest that ABC can hope to show another USA World Cup game on its over-the-air network channel is 2026. Who knows if ABC will even be around by then.

3. US Open Cup and MLS games 

With multiple World Cup games happening each day, the decision by MLS and USSF to schedule US Open Cup games during the World Cup showed a lack of respect.

The World Cup leaves little time for domestic matches, as much as we may love MLS.

4. England national team

Three games, two goals and just a single point. Not exactly what Nike must have been hoping for when they became England’s official kit sponsor. Despite what I consider to be two well-designed kits, the Three Lions couldn’t play with the same kind of excellence.

5. Soccer haters

I’m struggling to find anyone who has watched this World Cup and not enjoyed it, whether they are a soccer fan or not. Of course there are always going to be naysayers, but those are usually people who just like to hear their own voices. This tournament has delivered on so many levels, and it’s making all of America fall in love with this beautiful game.

Chicago’s Soldier Field will today host a USMNT World Cup Watch Party where event organizers are expecting more than 20,000 soccer fans to cheer on Team USA.

Home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears and multiple USMNT matches down the years, the stadium has a capacity of over 60,000. Even in a stadium that will be just one-third full, the atmosphere promises to be electric during the USA-Belgium game, which kicks off at 4pm ET/3pm CT.

Stadium gates open at 1:30 p.m. and admission to the stadium is free. Regular Soldier Field parking rates apply.

The viewing party will feature ESPN’s live feed of the match displayed on the north end zone video board. Fans will have access to watch the game on the field and in the stands.

Chicago, like so many other cities across the country, is showing how much they love their U.S. men’s national team. A win against Belgium on Tuesday, and that love could continue to increase.

Chicago is home to seven different professional sports teams, and every single one of them is supported fervently by the town’s millions of inhabitants.

It’s also home to the U.S. Soccer Federation, so it comes as no surprise that the city is setting the standard when it comes to supporting the U.S. Men’s National Team.

It all began with the USMNT’s game against Ghana, when thousands filed into downtown’s Grant Park to watch the match on a big screen. Two hours and three points later, the video of the park’s celebrations went viral.

Thanks to John Brooks’ late header, the bandwagon was off and running across the country, and Chicago was no different. Officials expected an even bigger crowd for the Americans game against Portugal, so it was moved to larger portion of Grant Park. Unfortunately, rain the night before meant the location had to be moved again, this time to a place with a smaller capacity. Nobody was surprised to see an 20,000 fans turnout once again, with some fans even being turned away at the gate.

Thursday’s game against Germany fell at an inconvenient time for many Americans, and the crowds in Chicago didn’t quite live up to their predecessors. But now, a knockout round matchup with Belgium is a expected to bring the big crowds again.

There aren’t many duos as well known as Panini and the World Cup.

Every four years, soccer fans across the globe do all they can to complete their Panini World Cup sticker album. If it’s something you’ve never heard of, you really ought to look it up. For many people, the album borders on an obsession, which is maybe why some bandits in Brazil decided to steal a van containing 300,000 stickers back in April.

Recently, in addition to the classic sticker album, the company released Panini America’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Prizm trading card set. The set has become so wildly popular that it’s already sold out.

Far from being your everyday commemorative card series, the Prizm set incorporated a few features that make it noteworthy. First, it didn’t just feature current stars like Neymar, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but some of the game’s all-time greats as well. Marco van Basten, Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer and others highlighted what is a glittering lineup.

But the real unique feature were the rare 100% authentic autographed cards from players. When you put it all together you get what the Panini America blog describes as “nothing less than the greatest autograph checklist in the history of soccer cards.”

The cards are currently sold out, so if you get your hands on them you know you’ve got something special. Your best bet to find them would be to check your local card collector stores or eBay.

In the meantime, Panini has launched a virtual version of FIFA World Cup Prizm on Facebook as well as an app for the iPhone.

“Our 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Prizm trading card set has been the most successful sports card release of the year and that success has a lot to do with the huge international appeal of the FIFA World Cup and the players who star in it,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America Vice President of Marketing. “It’s that same international reach that will drive the demand for the product’s partner iPhone app and Facebook game.”

Articles from our series focused on soccer trading cards and stickers:

• Soccer trading cards: Why it’s time to consider investing in the hobby
• What makes soccer trading cards valuable, and why and how to get them graded
• Collecting Panini’s Euro 2020 stickers is a perfect accompaniment to watching the tournament

Videos: Unboxing of soccer cards and stickers

• 2020/21 Obsidian soccer cards
• 2020/21 Topps Museum Collection: UEFA Champions League
• 2018/19, 2019/20 & 2020/21 Topps Bundesliga stickers
• 2020/21 Panini Prizm Premier League
• Euro 2020 Panini stickers
• Panini Chronicles box break featuring Neymar autograph
• Orbis World Cup 1990: The greatest soccer sticker album of all time

The United States Men’s National Team knows that any kind of positive result against Portugal this Sunday will put them in the driving seat for qualification. Now, they also know who their referee will be.

Today FIFA announced the referee designations for the three World Cup matches this Sunday, including the crunch match between Portugal and USA (6pm ET kickoff on Sunday on Univision and ESPN).

Thirty nine-year-old Argentinian Nestor Pitana will take charge of the crucial Group G encounter featuring the Americans, his second game of this tournament. His first was the 1-1 draw between Russia and South Korea, where he issued four yellow cards.

The day’s first game features Group H leaders Belgium taking on Russia. German Felix Brych is the match referee, also his second match after officiating Costa Rica’s 3-1 victory over Uruguay. Brych has considerable international experience. He refereed matches at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2013 Confederations Cup, in addition to taking charge of this year’s Europa League Final, won by Sevilla on penalties.

Wilmar Roldan, the youngest referee at this year’s World Cup, is set to referee the day’s other match, South Korea vs. Algeria. The Colombian also officiated at the 2012 Olympics, as well as the second leg of the Copa Libertadores Finals in 2012 and 2013.

For viewers in the United States, here’s where you can watch the game between Ghana and the United States (6pm ET/3pm PT kickoff time).

• English language: ESPN and WatchESPN
• Spanish language: Univision, Univision Deportes Network and Univision online
• Portuguese language: ESPN Deportes

Starting line-ups:

United States: Howard, Bradley, Besler, Beasley, Dempsey (c), Bedoya, Jones, Beckerman, Altidore, Cameron, Johnson.

Ghana: Kwarasey, Gyan, Opare, Atsu, A. Ayew, Muntari, J. Ayew, Rabiu, Mensah, Asamoah, Boye.

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)

SEE MORE — Everything you need to know about the World Cup.

Before, during or after today’s match, join the conversation in the comments section below with fellow soccer fans from around the world.

• English language: ESPN and WatchESPN
• Spanish language: Univision, Univision Deportes Network and Univision online
• Portuguese language: ESPN Deportes

Starting line-ups:

Iran: Haghighi (GK), Heydari, Safi, Hosseini, Amirhossein, Nekounam (C), Andranik, Montazeri, Reza, Dejagah, Mehrdad

Nigeria: Enyeama (GK)(C), Ambrose, Musa, Emenike, Mikel, Moses, Oshaniwa, Oboabona, Azeez, Onazi, Omeruo

Referee: Carlos Vera (Ecuador)

SEE MORE — Everything you need to know about the World Cup.

Before, during or after today’s match, join the conversation in the comments section below with fellow soccer fans from around the world.

Celtic is a club at a crossroads.

Having just clinched their third title in a row, the Scottish club’s plans for the summer were shaken up when manager Neil Lennon resigned on May 22.

The popular manager had followed up his successful playing spell at Celtic Park with more than four seasons of titles and triumphs. None of that seemed likely back in March of 2010 when Tony Mowbray’s tenure was ended before an entire season had passed. Celtic was in a bad place. Its arch-rival, Rangers, was on its way to the second of three consecutive Scottish Premiership trophies, and the high points under Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan seemed miles away.

Lennon’s appointment as interim and eventually full-time boss steadied the ship – and then some. His time as manager was of course concurrent with Rangers’ demise, but even accounting for that, his exploits were exceptional. Three league title wins, two Scottish Cups, and a run to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League that included one of the greatest nights of Celtic’s recent history when they defeated Barcelona. His detractors will point to his cup failures and the lack of a domestic treble that seemed like an attainable goal, but there can be no question that Lennon did an extraordinary job with what he had, and replacing him could prove tricky.

Although there were many theories as to why Lennon decided to call it quits, ultimately the non-competitive nature of the Scottish Premier League must have come into consideration. As did the unwillingness of the Celtic hierarchy to spend the necessary funds when replacing the likes of Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper. In the eyes of the club, those two players made a sizable impact not only on the pitch, but also in the club’s accounts as it profited over £10 million in transfer fees for the duo’s services.

Tactics like that have enabled Celtic to have one of the most financially solid clubs in all of Europe, the importance of which cannot be overstated – just look at Rangers. In that way, Lennon was almost the perfect man to lead the club: a former player and fan favorite who not only had an eye for talent, but could also bring the desired results without spending more than what was budgeted.

But that became a restraint even for Lennon, or so it seems. Anyone following Celtic realized that if Lennon left because of a supposed lack of ambition on the part of the club, then how was there room to evolve?

It’s possibly for this reason that Celtic reached out to two former players and high-profile names who could bring an excitement back to Celtic Park even under the current circumstances. Club legend Henrik Larsson was the first target, but the Swede decided to stay at his post at Falkenberg.

Attention then turned to Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane. Things looked like they were moving fast when Keane missed a press conference last week, with his boss (and former Celtic manager) Martin O’Neill telling the assembled media that Keane was given permission to talk to Celtic. All seemed set for Keane’s return to the last club he played for, but he suddenly ruled himself out earlier this week presumably to apply for the Aston Villa assistant manager position instead.

The blockbuster names had said no. The goal of bringing in someone with a strong pedigree to excite the fans seemed lost. Until just a few days ago.

Ronny Deila isn’t a name that most British football fans would have heard of earlier this week, but once the 38-year-old Norwegian was linked with the job, it became clear that they should have.

Last year, Deila led Strømsgodset IF to its first Norwegian league title in 43 years, earning praise from many corners of the football world, including ESPN, who wrote that Deila could “be considered to be one of the brightest rising coaching talents in Europe.”

What was looking like a desperate search last week has actually ended by bringing in a coach that fans are excited to see. Deila was impressive in his unveiling on Friday, continually stressing the need for Celtic to not only win, but to promote players through the academy. Those words were undoubtedly music to the ears of the Celtic board.

Celtic was put in an uncomfortable situation as their manager, and subsequently two of their choices to replace him, all denied the club’s approach. But now that roadblock has led to the road less taken, and it actually feels like the right choice.

Deila could be exactly what Celtic need. This upcoming league campaign will be another sleepwalk, but with Rangers likely to return the following season it gives the new manager a chance to get acquainted with the Scottish game before Old Firm matches return. Deila will have to be shrewd in the transfer market, but if his past success is any indication then Celtic are in good hands.

Once Keane and Larsson were out the running, it was hard to see how this Celtic team would be interesting once the new season kicked out. Now the club have taken a leap by appointing a young manager from a lesser-known league. You get the feeling that Celtic almost fell into this decision, but it could turn out to be one of the smartest ones they ever make.

One of the great success stories of this year’s Premier League campaign is coming to the United States this summer.

Crystal Palace were the odds-on favorite for relegation after the club only took four points from its first 11 matches. Their next move was to cut ties with manager Ian Holloway and bring in the experienced Tony Pulis. What an inspired decision it turned out to be.

Pulis not only kept Palace up. He did it some with ease. The team from southeast London finished the season in 11th position, a full 12 points off the relegation zone. It was the first time in five attempts that the club survived a Premier League season.

In preparation for the new season, Palace will be coming Stateside to compete in three pre-season friendlies.

Their first game is July 23rd against the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer. The Crew are managed by the only player to compete in a World Cup while on the books at Palace, Gregg Berhalter. The Crew Sporting Director and Head Coach told Crew.com last week about what a “special” place the club is, and especially that “Selhurst Park is a great place for football.”

Pulis and his men will then play another MLS side in the form of the Philadelphia Union. The two teams will face off at PPL Park on July 25th. Tickets can be purchased online at at the Union’s official website. 

Finally, the English side travel to the state of Virginia for the tour’s final game against the Richmond Kickers of USL Pro on July 28th. Palace will become the first English top-flight team to ever play in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Tickets for the match can be purchased here.

Palace aren’t the only Premier League side that is coming to the U.S. this summer. Champions Manchester City, along with Manchester United and Liverpool, will all be playing pre-season matches in the States, in addition to other clubs. For the complete schedule of international clubs and national teams playing in the United States this summer, browse through our schedule.

There’s good reason for U.S. soccer fans to be excited for this summer’s World Cup. Not only does the team get the chance to face some of the best players in the world, but the network broadcasting the English-language rights to the tournament in the United States — ESPN — have plenty in store to entertain USMNT fans.

Among its World Cup lineup is the new series “Inside: U.S. Soccer’s March to Brazil,” premiering this Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.  The show will focus on the the American players as they prepare for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The schedule is as follows (all times Eastern):

May 13, Tuesday, 7:00–8:00pm: Series premiere                                                                  
May 21, Wednesday, 7:00–7:30pm: Episode 2                                                                        
May 29, Thursday, 7:30-8:00pm: Episode 3                                                                          
June 3, Thursday, 7:30-8:00pm: Episode 4                                                                            
June 10, Tuesday, 8:30-9:30pm: Episode 5                                                                            
June 11, Wednesday, 9:30-10:00pm: LIVE series finale – Epilogue

Tuesday’s premiere will focus on introducing some squad members and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The rest of the six-part series will go behind the scenes to the U.S. training camp and the team’s warmup friendlies in May and June.

An idea like this needs to be in the right hands to be executed correctly, and ESPN have made an inspired choice by naming Roger Bennett and Jonathan Hock as producers. You all know Bennett from Men In Blazers, and he and Hock have already collaborated on the terrific 30 for 30 documentary, Barbosa: The Man Who Made Brazil Cry.

If you miss any of the episodes, don’t worry. They’ll be re-aired multiple times on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ABC.

Watch a preview of the series here:

For readers on mobile devices, watch the video here.

World Soccer Talk got the chance to have an exclusive interview with U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Tony Meola. The goalkeeper, who was a two-sport college athlete, made his name as the USMNT’s No. 1 during the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. Meola went on to a successful career in MLS, and is now heavily involved in coaching youth soccer at different levels. We got to talk to Tony about the game against Mexico, as well as ask him to reflect on his incredible sporting career.

Grant Miller (GM): While the buzz in United States soccer is all about Julian Green, who made his debut in the friendly against Mexico, how excited are you to see him play for the USMNT?

Tony Meola (TM): He’s been a guy that has been on the radar for quite some time and of course nobody knew what direction he was going to go but I think everyone’s excited that he chose to play for the US, and now that he’s made his one-time switch, he’s locked into the US so we know that we have a kid. And if he’s a guy for this World Cup we’ll soon find out but we have a kid that will likely be with this US team in an attacking role for the next three World Cups. Of course, most people haven’t seen him play because he doesn’t play a lot in the first team at Bayern. He played a little bit in the Champions League back in November, but Bayern’s not one too overinflate their young players and they couldn’t say enough good things about Julian and what he’s done there and so hopefully that will translate to the national team.

 GM: Let’s talk about your career. When you were younger, you weren’t just a soccer player. You also played baseball, and played both in college at Virginia. How did you manage to balance being a two-sport athlete and a college student?

TM: It took a lot of time, for sure. I used to go from soccer training at night and I used to have the key to the gym and would spend time in the batting cages at night after I did work. It was forever, but I didn’t know any different, and I didn’t want to do anything other than that, so it wasn’t like it was a drag for me to get there. It was something I loved doing. Of course, I had the chance to go to the University of Virginia. For me, I always told my parents I picked the best academic school I could go to and also play sports at and be competitive, and that was it for me. But the only way I was going to be able to go there was on a dual scholarship, and I was lucky enough to do that. My parents would have never had the ability to pay for me to go to school at that time. They probably would’ve found a way, but to strap them like that for years wasn’t an option. The majority of the offers I had were of the same nature. I just chose to go to the place that was best for me.

 GM: You talk about how important your college education was to your parents, so how hard was it to leave college and look for a contract abroad before finally signing a deal with US Soccer?

TM: When I was in Europe, I went to Brighton first, to Watford and then Toulouse in France. At that point, it was so hard for American players to get work visas. That’s why I left. I loved it in both Brighton and Watford. Actually when I got transferred, I had a six-month work permit. I got a transfer from Brighton to Watford, and I thought I was going to stay there, and it didn’t work out. I couldn’t get a work permit. It was the most frustrating three months of my life. I literally came home from practice everyday, went over to the consulate, spent hours there doing interviews trying to get a work permit, and eventually it didn’t work out. So I went to Toulouse, and was about to sign with the small club in the southern part of France — a team that was in the second division looking to go to the first division. Then US soccer decided to do what it did: bringing the kids to Mission Viejo, and that just seemed like the quickest way to play soccer and not worry about work permits, interviews, and phone calls. I just wanted to play at that point. That was the route I chose, and it was good for that particular group.

 GM: You get your chance with the national team in the final four games of qualifying for the 1990 World Cup. You kept a clean sheet in every one of those matches, and you were on the field during that famous game in Port of Spain in 1989. Did you guys realize at the time just how important that win would prove to be?

TM: I think we realized when it was all said and done what we had accomplished. Our country hadn’t been to a World Cup for 40 years, and we knew we made history at that point. Of course, the focus immediately turned to preparing for the World Cup. Because we had heard that if we didn’t make it to the 1990 World Cup, FIFA was thinking of potentially taking away the World Cup in ’94. There were alot things that that group had to deal with, and we did a pretty good job of just focusing on what we were there to do, and that was to qualify for the World Cup.

As it turns out, we needed shutouts in all four of those games. It’s funny because that group just recently has been getting credit for what they accomplished. It took a little longer than I thought, but I’m happy they’re getting credit for what we did. We didn’t have a professional league. I was lucky, along with a few other guys that were still playing in college, that we were able to train every day and play games every weekend. But not everyone on that team had that chance, so you look back on it, and that story may never happen again.

 GM: So, in a matter of months, you went form a college campus to playing in a World Cup in the nation of your parents’ native country. How surreal was that change of scenery?

TM: It was great. I suppose we were playing a lot of pretty significant international friendlies leading up to that, but for me personally, if I had to choose two places in the world I would want to play a World Cup in, it would be Italy and the US, and I was able to do that. To go back there and play and meet family I had never met before – knowing the passion they had for the game – that was pretty cool.

 GM: You mentioned the ’90 team getting a lot of praise, but with the 20-year anniversary of the ’94 World Cup coming up, that team has had a lot of press. Does it feel like it was all that long ago?

TM: I can’t believe it was 20 years ago. I was in those few stories that were done, and even though it was 20 years ago, I could literally retrace every step of that experience. I could retrace every day in my mind from the hotel, getting to the games, to the locker rooms and all that stuff. When they started calling about those articles – and they were really well done – I had to do the math a little bit because it certainly doesn’t seem like 20 years ago.

 GM: Then you were a member of the 2002 World Cup squad that made it to the quarterfinals. As someone who laid the groundwork for US soccer, how did it feel to see how far the game had come?

TM: I realized it from every angle. I think you could ask any guy from that ’94 group that our motto was “Just keep the ball rolling.” Keep promoting; keep developing players, everything that goes along with what we try to do now. It’s so nice to see all those guys in positions that will help the game grow. I think it’s really neat and really needed in our game.

 GM: You did participate in MLS from the start, first with the Metrostars but then you had your biggest impact with Kansas City in that 2000 season when the team won MLS Cup and you won all the individual trophies on offer. What did that mean to you to win a championship in an American soccer league that seemed unlikely to materialize back when you were playing in college?

TM: Anytime you win a championship, it’s special. That year, for me personally, was a little extra special because when I got injured in ’99, I had read so much about “Can he come back?” “Will he come back?” And it kind of all fell in place. I worked hard, there’s no question. We were a determined group, and we were a good group. That particular team, from 2000-2003, had the best overall record in MLS during that period. So it was a pretty special group. We lost in the final in 2004, but won the Open Cup in 2001, so it was a group that was able to win things, and one that Bob Gansler had to put together from misfits from other teams.

 GM: This week you’re participating in a special youth soccer initiative. Can you tell us more about it?

TM: This program with Allstate allows me to get back into the community. We’ll barge in on a youth team practice and sort of take it over for a night, and when it’s all said and done these kids, that wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity if it weren’t for Allstate, receive uniforms, shin guards, sweat suits, bags and soccer balls for the team, along with training equipment for the coaching staff — really everything they need to get through a complete season the way we think they should.

If it weren’t for Allstate and their efforts, they probably wouldn’t have a chance to do that.

Ah, the World Cup. Undoubtedly the most anticipated event in all of sports. We wait four years for each one to come around, and that feeling of excitement when the tournament is fast approaching never gets old. In fact, sometimes the wait can seem to take ages; every passing day is spent looking at a countdown on your computer as you realize that it has only been a few hours since you last checked.

Wouldn’t it be great to have something to kill some time before the tournament? Life in general won’t cut it, that’s far too boring. No, in order to take your mind off this summer’s soccer feast, you need something truly memorable.

Well, for a greater reason than just to solve pre-World Cup boredom, three England fans — Adam Burns, David Bewick, and Pete Johnston — have set out on a trek across South America. The journey, totaling a symbolic 1966km (1221 miles), began on March 1st in Mendoza, Argentina, and will end on June 8th in Porto Alegre, Brazil, a few days before the World Cup begins.

The journey’s true purpose is to raise £20,000 for Josefina de Vasconcellos Care Trust, a charity that will drill a new water well in the eastern Brazilian region of Bahia. That region of the country is in the middle of what has been dubbed “the worst drought in 50 years,” with Brazil’s Ministry of National Integration estimating that roughly 10 million people have been affected.

So far, Adam Burns said the group has slept in two abandoned train stations, been apprehended by police, charged by bulls, and of course — played a bit of soccer with the locals.

The trio’s incredible, 100-day journey signified all that is good with the World Cup: a global event that has the unique ability to change lives forever.

To donate, head over to their JustGiving page. Then, to read more about the journey, check out the group’s official site, before keeping tabs with them on the road at their Twitter and Facebook pages.

The retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson last week and the subsequent extensive coverage reminded me just how far soccer has come here in the States. Since I began following soccer as a teenager some eight years ago, the sport wasn’t anywhere near the consciousness of the typical sports fan. Other than myself, there were only a few kids who played FIFA or even knew who someone like Alex Ferguson was. How things have changed. Today many Americans were abuzz with discussions on Fergie’s reign and United’s uncertain future.

But above all the other coverage the story received, it was the attention that ESPN’s SportsCenter gave it that really struck me. Here is the nation’s most important sports program, on its most important network, kicking off their hour of highlights and catchphrases by talking about the end of the tenure of a man whose presence the conscious of the typical American sports fan has only been cemented in the last five years.

Of course, none of this should come as that big of a shock. Sir Alex is not only the manager of the most famous name in the sport but also one of the greatest coaches of all-time. But everything aside, the coverage still brought a smile to my face when I realized that even the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” sees a world soccer story as noteworthy enough to feature on its signature show.

The sight of Gabriele Marcotti being interviewed by Hannah Storm also reminded me of a fact that gave me a more somber feeling: We are at the end of ESPN’s Premier League coverage (when it comes to live broadcasts). The network’s coverage of the league is much more than just what you see on TV, with writers like Marcotti giving American soccer fans insight you wouldn’t normally see. But it’s their on-air productions that have inspired considerable and deserving praise.

When ESPN got Premier League rights just before the 2009-10 season began, it was as if a dream was realized: finally, the biggest name in American sports media was making a huge investment in the game so many of us love. I don’t think I missed a game ESPN broadcasted that season, mainly due to the fact that their matches were shown in HD whereas FOX Soccer had yet to step into that vital medium.

Although ESPN’s magnificent 2010 World Cup coverage probably did more for the sport in the States than can be put into writing, the most important outcome of that summer was arguably the emergence of America’s soccer commentator, Ian Darke.

Darke’s broadcasts were excellent across the board, and his status as fan favorite was guaranteed because thanks to his call of Landon Donovan’s goal against Algeria alone. He then became ESPN’s leading man on the microphone during EPL coverage, and once they hired the affable Steve McManaman the nation’s best commentary team was born.

Both seemed to know exactly how to approach the job of explaining the game they knew so well to an audience that included both novices and self-proclaimed experts. Darke always explained situations in great detail without ever coming across as condescending, while McManaman delivered formidable insights as a man who had seen and won almost everything, all paired with an unmistakable Merseyside accent.

But don’t take it from me. The duo has inspired fake Twitter accounts, nicknames, essentially their own cult, all because of the splendor of their broadcasts. The adoration the two men have received has grown even further in the wake of the consistently negative press FOX’s Gus Johnson experiment has received.

Darke will still be on American televisions to cover US men’s national team games and the 2014 World Cup, but nothing will be able to compare to these past three years when we’d wake up early on Saturday mornings to watch matches that – however dull they might have been – became compulsory viewing due to the voices of two Englishmen.

Who knows, maybe ESPN will acquire the next batch of Premier League rights, and the dream team of Darke and McManaman will return. Today though, their wonderful run is over, and thanks especially to a hilarious compilation that ESPN put together after Sunday’s game, memories of their time as talking heads are guaranteed to be delightful nostalgia.

So, I for one would like to thank Messrs. Darke and McManaman for making the beautiful game a sight not only to behold, but one to hear. Here’s to hoping that NBC’s coverage can live up to one of its predecessors, and that we’ll be seeing Ian and Macca together on our screens sooner rather than later. In the meantime, bye for now.

As each Premier League season unfolds, the league table begins to fashion specific mini-competitions within itself, all of them aiming to achieve certain goals.

At the top there is the obvious and most talked about race for the title, at the bottom the drama-filled relegation action, and towards the middle the hunt for a shot at Thursday night, European glory.

Though for my money the three races already mentioned can’t compare – at least this season – to what is bound to be a dogfight for the final Champions League spot.

Assuming Chelsea win their game in hand, and continue the form they have shown of late under Rafael Benitez (excluding their match against QPR, of course), it would seem like they would be the ones to hold onto third place, sitting comfortable in the trequartista-like chasm between the Manchester clubs and the rest of the league.

That leaves fourth place, which at this point has three clear contestants: the North London duo of Arsenal and Tottenham, and David Moyes’s Everton outfit. Though it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to see West Brom continue to hang around the area, or for Liverpool’s recent clinical performances to become increasingly frequent as the year progresses and therefore keep them in the race as well.

But when it comes to the first three clubs, each of them has a legitimate shot at ultimately occupying the position come the evening of May 19th. Both London clubs have of course experienced Champions League football, with Arsenal being in Europe’s top club competition for thirteen years running and Spurs making their run to the last eight in 2011.

Finally, there’s Everton, the team who finally put together a first half of campaign that resembled the many fantastic run-ins they’ve had over the years, and a team whose qualification would come as the biggest shock.

Considering their pedigree, Everton may be the dark horses, but if they were to be celebrating qualification at the end of the season, the competition would mean more to their club than to the two others.

While many Arsenal fans have consistently talked of crisis, it is not as if all is lost at the Emirates, with the club’s finances being well taken care of as they attempt to pay off their move to Islington. Along with that, the Gunners still have Arsene Wenger, a manager who has worked wonders with a smaller budget than his main rivals. A season out of the Champions League might seem devastating to Arsenal fans, but it’s the reality of an even more competitive league.

Then there’s Spurs, who believe they should’ve had a shot in Europe’s top tier once again this season, only to be excluded by questionable UEFA rule. Tottenham are still a big club, and their willingness to spend money on players coupled with their growth under Andre Villas-Boas shows that their presence in the top quarter of the table is here to stay.

So of the trio, it is Everton who crave the Champions League even more than the sweets of their famous toffee lady. The club is the weakest entrants when it comes to money, a problem that has been well documented during David Moyes’s reign at Goodison Park. But despite a lack of a transfer “war chest”, the Scotsman has become a bargain buyer and has a keen eye for talent, profiting £17 million on Joleon Lescott, £8 million on Mikel Arteta and £12 million on Jack Rodwell. Not only that, but he has made to an average finish of about sixth over the last six seasons. Moyes ultimate triumph was getting Everton to fourth place back in 2005 after having escaped relegation by one league position the season before. But their goal of Champions League football failed at the first hurdle after losing their third qualifying-round tie to eventual semi-finalist Villarreal.

But now Moyes faces a situation that makes this season’s shot at the European big time even more critical than that of eight years ago. Ever since his side’s exhilarating start to the season, rumors have consistently appeared linking some of his key players to lucrative moves to bigger Premier League opponents. The two players mentioned the most – Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini – both represent invaluable components of the Everton team, and even the loss of one of them would result in a heavy blow to the team’s overall quality.

With clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal and both Manchester clubs frequently attempting to turn the heads of both players, Moyes knows the only way to keep his prized assets will be to secure Champions League football. It is unlikely that either would depart in January, so the real concern for Everton fans will be how both players view the club’s progress at the end of the season.

A spot in the glamorous Champions League would help to cushion some of the financial woes that have held Everton back when it comes to having the resources to buy the players of the same quality as those being bought by the top three.

Now, of course, Everton could achieve their goal of finishing fourth and fall in qualifying again, but Moyes believes that his current squad is much higher in quality than his 2005 vintage, and that they would avoid having to meet such a prestigious foe in the early round.

Simply put, if Everton don’t make it into the top four this season, they might have lost their chance to do so for the foreseeable future. With Arsenal and Tottenham both sure to be consistently vying for a place at Europe’s top table, and Liverpool building under Brendan Rodgers, further failures for the Toffees could see them left in the dust.