<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-371105 size-full" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy.jpg" alt="US Open Cup broadcast potential" width="1200" height="675" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy-600x338.jpg 600w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy-150x84.jpg 150w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/US-Open-Cup-Trophy-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure>
<p>Starting in 2023, the US Soccer media broadcast rights are back in-house. As part of the Federation’s offer to broadcasters, US Soccer included the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. </p>
<p>This strategic decision features one of the oldest domestic cup competitions in the world. However, it is also among the most obscure.</p>
<p>This inclusion represents a significant pivot in the marketing of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup from the past. Then, US Soccer did very little promotion of the competition. Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing did not include the US Open Cup in its package. Rather, the bundle focused on the US Men’s and Women’s National Team rights. For many years, streams of early round Lamar Hunt Open Cup matches were few and far between.</p>
<p>Here is how the US Open Cup aligns in a potential media deal sought after by US Soccer.</p>
<h5>Lamar Hunt US Open Cup</h5>
<p>As the name indicates, the Lamar Hunt Open Cup is available to any applicant club in the United States. Each year, the tournament provides stories of of giant-killings by amateur clubs. Additionally, some lower-league professional sides make deep runs. </p>
<p>The winner of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup earns a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. Therefore, in theory, the competition is a direct path to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup. It is the most open and accessible soccer competition on the men’s side in the United States.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the Lamar Hunt Open Cup exists in obscurity outside a small niche. In terms of streaming and television, the competition’s coverage has been inconsistent. Awareness is minimal, even for soccer fans who love similar cup competitions in Europe. It’s a midweek competition that failed to find a niche except among a small number of “hipster” fans of the domestic game. </p>
<p>But, its potential seems unlimited particularly in a nation that loves straight knock-out competitions and playoffs. It also potentially could interest fans of European soccer, particularly those who revere the FA Cup and other domestic cup competitions.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>The US Open Cup in US Soccer’s media deal</h3>
<p>In our recent interview with US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, she revealed US Soccer’s next broadcast package includes the Lamar Hunt Open Cup. Currently, the Federation negotiates that deal with potential media partners.</p>
<p>The US Open Cup provides broadcast potential via an abundance of matches throughout the calendar year. The competition runs from March to September and qualifying begins in late September for the following year’s cup.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Broadcasters can get creative with how they use the Lamar Hunt Open Cup. Previously, wraparound shows on radio and podcasts go through all the action at once. Early round Lamar Hunt Open Cup nights are like final match days of top European leagues. Simultaneous kickoffs allow the US Open Cup broadcast potential for a ‘Premier League Goal Rush’-style whip-around program.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the past, the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup rights were sold on a piecemeal basis. Fans had little advance notice of broadcast partners. Also, many matches did not air on neither TV nor streaming. In recent years, while more matches have been aired on <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/mWebq" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ESPN+</a>, the details of the package are murky. Furthermore, promotion of the competition has been negligible.&nbsp;</p>
<h5>Fans of tournament-style competitions</h5>
<p>The US Open Cup has broadcast potential similar to NCAA’s March Madness. Many college basketball fans do not watch the regular season. Regardless, millions fill out brackets and watch the tournament each year. The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments are rapid, only lasting a month. Of course, the US Open Cup differs in that regard.</p>
<p>However, Americans fall in love with long, drawn-out playoffs in the NBA and NHL. There, over half the eligible teams qualify. The Lamar Hunt Open Cup potentially provides domestic soccer with its best chance to cut through the clutter of other sporting competitions.&nbsp;</p>
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<div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk" title="World Soccer Talk Podcast" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">World Soccer Talk Podcast</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/worldsoccertalk/parity-in-mls-are-playoffs-the-best-way-to-crown-a-champion" title="Parity in MLS: Are playoffs the best way to crown a champion?" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener">Parity in MLS: Are playoffs the best way to crown a champion?</a></div>
<p>For its part, MLS values knock-out cup competitions. After all, the entire league hitched its wagon to a playoff system to determine a champion. Also, the enhanced <a href="https://www.leaguescup.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Leagues Cup</a> in 2023 competes with the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for attention. </p>
<p>Moreover, <a href="https://thecup.us/about-the-u-s-open-cup/">MLS clubs have won every Lamar Hunt US Open Cup</a> since 2000. Still, in each of those competitions, a lower-division club has made a deep run. Those clubs provide the ‘Cinderella stories’ that hook new fans.</p>
<h5>Incorporating the tournament into a broadcast rights deal</h5>
<p>US Soccer opting to include Lamar Hunt Open Cup in a larger media rights deal potentially gives the competition a larger window to where it can become more visible. The competition needs sponsorship dollars to enhance its profile, along with a consistent television or streaming presence, but the inclusion of it in a larger package can only help.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The potential of the Lamar Hunt Open Cup being part of a larger media rights deal is very encouraging. Perhaps finally this “sleeping giant” of a competition will get its day and grow in a fashion that’s fitting for such a historic cup in a nation where the sport continues to grow by leaps and bounds.</p>

How US Open Cup plays into US Soccer’s upcoming media deal

With US Soccer returning its media rights in-house, the US Open Cup provides great broadcast potential a potential media deal.

How US Open Cup plays into US Soccer's upcoming media deal - World Soccer Talk

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<p>So, if the only time you’ve ever come across this tournament is when certain Premiership managers whine about it, let me welcome to you to one of World Football’s best kept secrets. Over the years, <a href="http:\/\/www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations-angola_2010/" target="_blank">the African Cup Of Nations </a>has grown and grown to be one of the most respected tournaments in World Football. So, as the tournament kicks off in Angola on Sunday, welcome to an overview for the 27th competition.</p>
<p>The influx into European football of African players over the last 20 years has seen the profile of this once derided competition rise far above what even the most biased supporter of African football could have hoped for. My first experience of seeing an African side was Algeria’s incredible defeat of West Germany in 1982 and as I’ve watched football, its reputation has grown and grown. Now it’s a fantastic tournament and one you really need to catch so here’s who to look out for in my first article about it.</p>
<p></p>
<p>This year’s tournament is being held in Angola for the first time and as such will give us the first glimpse of some of the teams who have also qualified for the World Cup in June this year.16 teams participate in the finals, drawn in to groups of four, with quarter finals, semi finals, a 3rd/4th play off and the final.Running over 20 days, this looks set to be the biggest African Cup of Nations yet.</p>
<p>The qualification for this years tournament also doubled up as qualification for the World Cup, which saw the odd spectacle of South Africa entered even though they’re the World Cup hosts along with Angola to try and earn a double qualification. Ironically, Angola haven’t qualified for the World Cup and South Africa failed to reach the African Cup of Nations.</p>
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<p>Favourites for the second tournament in a row are of course Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast but in 2008 they were humiliated in the semi final by Egypt 4-1. They’ll be desperate to try and add to their solitary title won in 1992.With a squad featuring the Toure brothers, Drogba, Eboue, Zakora and Dindane, they’ll certainly be there or there abouts, The Elephants will be certainly one of the teams to beat. Drawn in Group B they’ll be one of the two fancied teams in that group.</p>
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<p>The other side in Group B with ambitions to win the tournament will be the Black Stars of Ghana. Ghana are a team that we should have seen so much more of over the last 20 years, especially as they gave us one of the greatest ever African players of all time, in Abedi Pele, who like George Weah of Liberia never made it to a World Cup. They finished 3rd last time, so they’ll be desperate to go at least one better but they lack a clinical striker.&nbsp; With Michael Essien, John Mensah, Kingson, Addo and Amoah in the squad they’ll try and cope with the loss of talismanic captain Stephen Appiah and <a href="http:\/\/www.goal.com/en/news/815/african-nations-cup/2009/12/24/1707613/african-nations-cup-mixed-reactions-over-sulley-muntaris-absence-" target="_blank">Sulley Muntari’s enforced passing over</a>.</p>
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<p>Group A should be a walk in the park for one of England’s forthcoming <a href="http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8367431.stm" target="_blank">World Cup opponents, Algeria</a>. With a fine international pedigree, they’ll be in with an outside shout of getting to the last four this time round. Since bursting on to the world stage in the 1982 World Cup, Algeria have lost their way a little since following it up with qualification for the 1986 World Cup and winning the A.C.O.N in 1990.</p>
<p>Since winning that title, they’ve been disqualified once, gone out in the first round three times and failed to qualify since 2004. Familiar names to watch out for in the Desert Foxes team are Hassan Yebda and Nadir Belhadj of Portsmouth, Kamel Ghilas of Hull City, Hamuer Bouazza formerly of Fulham and Madjid Bougherra of Rangers. They need a good tournament to reaffirm their place in African football.</p>
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<p>Group C sees the power of African football, Egypt and the former star, Nigeria drawn together. Egypt who were pipped for World Cup qualification by Algeria, which saw such <a href="http:\/\/www.football.co.uk/portsmouth/zaki_cites_israeli_presence_at_fratton_park_as_reason_for_shun_rss269998.shtml" target="_blank">scenes of sportsmanship for them</a>, have a lot to live up to . As defending champions since 2006, it remains to be seen just how much of a hangover they’ve retained from missing out on South Africa. Yet, without the injured Amr Zaki and the unpicked Mido, Egypt would seem to have it all to do to retain the trophy. Spurs fans will certainly remember Hossan Ghaly and Dortmunds Mohamed Zidan is one to watch for the Pharaohs.</p>
<p>Nigeria qualified for both Angola and South Africa, but they are not the side they once were. The Super Eagles were one of the key sides in African football’s modern growth but the generation that got them there are slowly retiring. Yet the squad is still packed with familiar names. Yobo, Yakubu, Kanu, Obi-Mikel, Martins, Shittu, Taiwo, Etuhu and Olofinjana will all be in the squad and will be looking to try and re-affirm their place at the head of modern African football. An outside chance of winning the title certainly.</p>
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<p>Which leads us to another favourite, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. Lead by one of the worlds greatest strikers, Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon have been one of Africa’s leading lights over the last two decades. After missing out for the 2006 World Cup, they were in danger of missing out on both tournaments this year, but after sacking the manager, former Rangers, Lyon and Paris Saint Germain manager Paul Le Guen rode to the rescue.</p>
<p>Surprisingly though, Le Guen has opted not to pick the impressive <a href="http:\/\/worldcup.sportinglife.com/story/0,27111,17337_5794929,00.html" target="_blank">Sebastain Bassong for the tournament</a> but joining Eto’o will be Rigobert Song, Geremi, Alexandre Song, Jean Makoun and Andre Bikey. If they can keep Eto’o up the field, then anything can happen and after the 2006 penalty <a href="http:\/\/news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4675316.stm" target="_blank">shoot out marathon against Ivory Coast</a> and losing the last A.C.O.N final on penalties, they’ll be hoping to avoid more shootout heartache.IN Carlos Kameni, they’ve probably got the best goalkeeper in Africa. He could be key.</p>
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<p>So they’re the main 6 contenders, but there are two outsiders that may catch the eye. Imagine a team with a midfield of Seydou Keita of Barcelona, Real Madrid’s Mahamadou Diarra and Juventus’s Momo Sissoko with Freddie Kanoute upfront. Well, that’s Mali’s main foursome and with a squad with a wealth of European experience and the Eagles have a team with bags of potential still unfulfilled. Of course, Togo also qualified and whilst the side seem to lack quality overall, if a certain Emmanuel Adebayor fancies it, then the Sparrow Hawks could cause some real shocks.</p>
<p>So there you have it. Over here in Europe, Eurosport will be showing every match, with the BBC disappointingly only showing the semi finals and final this time. If you’ve never watched it before, I recommend it highly and it’ll give you a real taste of what’s to come in June this year when the World Cup gets underway. I’ll be dropping another more articles throughout the month for you to keep up to speed with the tournament, so feel free to leave me your comments and questions.</p>

African Cup Of Nations Begins The Year With A Bang in Angola - World Soccer Talk

African Cup Of Nations Begins The Year With A Bang in Angola

<div id="attachment_711" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-711" class="wp-caption-text">3rd round action for Championship clubs</p></div>
<p>I remember sitting this year in anticipation of the 3rd round draw as per usual after watching Kettering battle to a draw against Leeds United I had a feeling that this could be a draw to remember. My mate who supports Brighton had seen his team qualify to the third round as a league 1/2 team for the first time in his life (Brighton were in the Championship for two seasons so qualified automatically) and he was as excited as I’ve ever seen him been. Another mate, an Aston Villa supporter, was preying to the Gods that the Villans wouldn’t defy chance and draw Man Utd yet again. And me personally as a Toon supporter – there’s a team that wears red and white who were my preferred opponents.</p>
<p>Yet a lot of times these draws can end up as an anti-climax, particularly the 3rd round draw this year. It’s just such a great concept and in any football fans head who doesn’t follow the top four he would love it if Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all got away draws against a bunch of brick layers and plasterers. Because that is what this is all about and what I personally love to see – the underdog getting a chance. Last year a local side near where I am from, Blyth Spartans got a 3rd round draw against Blackburn Rovers and even though they lost, it’s one of those unique type of matches in football. I’m not saying its a terrible draw, I just love to see a lot of interesting ties.</p>
<p>My Seagull friend was immediately brought down to earth as Brighton got an away tie against Torquay, Villa got a tricky fixture against Blackburn and the Geordie faithful will be forced to make the longest trip in English league football twice this season now as Plymouth were drawn as their opponents. Not inspiring for any of us (particularly now Plymouth have got a new manager and are hitting a bit of form and the Toon are dropping!). A lot of the Championship teams have difficult draws and there are 7 all Championship ties.</p>
<p>On a positive note that means at least 7 Championship teams will be in the 4th round. And Cardiff and Millwall in this past decade have proved that a great cup run can be a memorable thing, which can ultimately end up with a big day out at the end. When 2nd of January comes I know I will be excited about the cup once again because after all – this is what most English fans dream of seeing their club win. And more importantly we have a few interesting ties involving Championship sides (all times are GMT):</p>
<p><strong><em>Nottingham Forest</em> V Birmingham City – 2nd Jan 3pm:</strong></p>
<p>When the draw was made it may of seemed like a slightly interesting tie, but both teams are in amazing form and both are putting their current unbeaten record on the line. Forest have made the City Ground a fortress this season and will be keen to test Paul Hart’s England credentials after recent cries were made to make the City stopper England’s World Cup choice. The FA cup was the one trophy that famously eluded legendary manager Brian Clough in his successful spell at the club and the last time the club lifted the title will be 51 years ago by the time the final comes around. Forest have won their last four at home so be aware Brummies!</p>
<p><strong><em>Middlesbrough</em> V Manchester City – 2nd Jan 3pm:</strong></p>
<p>Middlesbrough have had a few troubles this season. Largely tipped by many to be the team most likely to be promoted back to the Premiership at the first time of asking, they decided to change things around and bring Gordon Strachan in. One win in their last five home games doesn’t make great reading coming into this one, especially as Roberto Mancini has come in and lifted Spirits at the sky blue outfit. You would forgive a Middlesbrough fan if a good cup run was the last thing on their mind but I’m sure Strachan will be aware that a victory against the ‘richest team in the world’ will lift the spirits of even the tea lady at the Riverside. It depends what Boro turns up on the day as they can go from the brilliance of dominated QPR 5-1 to disappointment of crumbling 3-0 to Blackpool. I’m sure any neutral would love to see a Boro victory in this match.</p>
<p><strong>Portsmouth V <em>Coventry City</em> – Jan 2nd 3pm:</strong></p>
<p>Coventry, until they lost 2-0 to the in form Forest, were starting to gather a bit of form and confidence and there is no better time to play Portsmouth in an FA cup-tie. Pompey are likely to be missing a number of their African internationals for this game and their team will most likely be pieced together from what is left of their squad. <a href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/breaking-news-portsmouth-face-winding-up-order/14299">Current financial issues</a> loom large over the 2008 winners and Coventry will no doubt fancy their chances in this match. This is a huge opportunity to pile more misery on the south coast team and take home a Premiership scalp and Chris Coleman will be letting his players know about the low morale of the Pompey players.</p>
<p><strong><em>Reading</em> V Liverpool – Jan 2nd 5.15pm:</strong></p>
<p>If Reading manage to pull off a win in this game then the all too often used term ‘magic of the FA cup’ would never be more necessary to coin. Although Reading managed to end their horrible home run in November against Blackpool, it still only totalled three home wins in all of 2009. There has been no win in their last five games and caretaker Brian McDermott is currently managing the club. Although Liverpool have had their own troubles this season, they recently snatched a late winner at Villa Park in their most recent fixture – the sort of goal that could kick start any season. It’s mission impossible for Reading really and it will be interesting to see what team Rafa Benitez decides to field considering their options of silverware have dwindled down recently. A brave man would bet on Reading but stranger things have happened and neutrals will no doubt be cheering on the Royals come Saturday.</p>
<p><strong>Chelsea V <em>Watford</em> – Jan 3rd 3pm:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http:\/\/www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/30/chelsea-roman-abramovich-debt-scolari">Debt free</a> Chelsea welcome cash strapped Watford this weekend; two very contrasting situations for two London clubs. Malky Mackay has done everything he can this season and you wouldn’t argue if he told you that the club has other priorities rather than&nbsp;a good cup run. Chelsea may have lost a number of key players to the African Cup of nations, but this game will give a chance to some of the younger players attempting to break through such as Daniel Sturridge; something that won’t help the Hornet’s cause. There’s bound to be a large following from the Watford fans and hopefully this can inspire the players to raise their game, despite the probable uncertainty over a lot of players futures.</p>
<p>So we are all geared up for an exciting weekend of knock out football and although the Premiership teams have the odds to win this thing, you can never count out anyone in the FA cup. Lower league sides in the past have often shown up the big boys time and time again and hopefully we’ll be in for a weekend of drama and great football. Happy New Year from Championship Talk and all the best to you and your team for 2010!</p>


FA 3rd Round Cup Preview: Championship Chances - World Soccer Talk

FA 3rd Round Cup Preview: Championship Chances

<p><a href="http:\/\/www.serieatalk.com/italys-world-cup-group/1875/cuplift3_gallery__282x400/" rel="attachment wp-att-1881"></a></p><div><figure class="image"><a href="http:\/\/www.serieatalk.com/italys-world-cup-group/1875/cuplift3_gallery__282x400/" rel="attachment wp-att-1881"></a></figure></div>There you have it, Italy in Group F, drawn with New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia. A relatively simple group and one Marcelo Lippi should take the Azzurri through with comfort.<p></p>
<p><strong>Group F</strong></p>
<p>Italy<br>
New Zealand<br>
Paraguay<br>
Slovakia</p>
<p>They begin the defence of their crown in Capetown at the Greenpoint soccer stadium on June 14th 2010 against Paraguay before traveling to Nelspruit to face New Zealand on 20th June in the newly built Mbombela Stadium and finishing their Group F campaign in Johannesburg at the Ellis Park Stadium against Slovakia on 24th June.</p>
<p>Lets hope World Cup number five is on its way to Rome and Italy retain the trophy deservingly won in Germany.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts on the draw and how do you think Italy will do? Leave a comment below. </p>


Italy's World Cup Group - World Soccer Talk

Italy's World Cup Group

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<p>As it’s World Cup draw week, I thought I’d share one of my favourite football stories with you, about the first ever World Cup, though it was only for domestic sides at the time.I heard this story for the first time when I was nine, due to it being made in to a television drama in 1981, called <a href="http:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk/World-Cup-Captains-Tale-VHS/dp/B00004D2XM" target="_blank">a Captain’s Tale.</a> It made a real impression on me, because it seemed so far fetched, yet was true and here’s how it happened.</p>
<p>After the success of the first Olympic football tournament at the London Olympics of 1908, a gentleman by the name of Sir Thomas Lipton had an idea to have a World Cup. Whilst the Olympic tournament had been for amateur players only, Lipton wanted the best professional club sides in the world to compete for a trophy, which would be called the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy. He approached the English F.A. who refused to have anything to do with such a nonsense.</p>
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<p>It was sad to say, but in those days, the English F.A. tended to look down at most countries in the world and upheld it’s insular and rather outdated opinions for far too long. Suffice to say, they refused to play in the first 3 official world cups, as of course, England believed they were the best in the world and had no need to prove it by playing horrible little foreign teams. Maybe in those first 3 World Cups, England could have added another trophy to the meagre one World Cup win in the last 80 years, we’ll never know but it wouldn’t have hurt to have a go.</p>
<p>So, rebuffed by the English F.A., an employee of Sir Thomas Lipton suggested an amateur side be chosen, as the F.A couldn’t interfere and a request went out to the teams in <a href="http:\/\/www.northernleague.org/view_div1_tables.php">the Northern League</a>, which is still functioning and is part of the English non league pyramid system. The only side that came back with interest were West Auckland F.C., a side made up of coal miners from Durham. So, Lipton accepted them as England’s representatives and the team had to travel to Turin.</p>
<div style="width: 444px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20091130_WST_13387_Thomas_Johnstone_Lipton.webp&amp;width=434&amp;height=393" alt="Sir Thomas Lipton" width="434" height="393"></figure></div><p class="wp-caption-text">Sir Thomas Lipton</p></div>
<p>Now, somehow, this little team of coalminers managed to raise the majority of the funds required to travel all the way to Turin, most of them pawning personal possessions to enable them to reach their destination but it proved a sacrifice worth making. Drawn against top German side, Stuttgarter Sportfruende, in the semi final,&nbsp; Auckland ran out 2-0 winners and amazingly went on to beat F.C. Winterthur 2-0 too to become the first winners of the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy.</p>
<p>Returning to Durham as heroes, the club were once again invited to defend the trophy in 1911, but this time the opposition were a little more familiar. Facing the defending champions in the semi-finals were F.C. Zurich, but once again the amateurs would not buckle to the better equipped side and once again triumphed 2-0. This then set up a mesmerising final against the home side, Italian giants Juventus but amazingly West Auckland thrashed them 6-1.</p>
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<p>Under the rules of the tournament, West Auckland were allowed to keep the trophy, but this is were the tale takes a sad turn. Almost bankrupted in no small part due to the travelling to Italy twice in two years, the team had to pawn the trophy to their landlady to cover debts but the side still went under in 1912.The club reformed in 1914 as <a href="http:\/\/www.westaucklandtownfc.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Auckland Town</a> and returned to the Northern League where they still remain to this day.</p>
<p>As for the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, it remained in the landlady’s family until 1960, when an appeal by the village of West Auckland saw them buy it back. Yet tragedy struck the club once more, when it was stolen in 1994 and has never been found since. A replica was commissioned and that now stands in the clubhouse, securely held a safe cabinet. This year also saw the club play Juventus in a friendly to <a href="http:\/\/www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/West-Auckland-village-football-team-take-on-Juventus-to-celebrate-winning-the-first-World-Cup-1909-article27070.html" target="_blank">celebrate the centenary of that first win</a>, which they lost 7-1, but fair play on Juventus for enabling the club to celebrate what must go down as one of the strangest stories in English football.</p>

West Auckland F.C., The First World Champions! - World Soccer Talk

West Auckland F.C., The First World Champions!

<div id="attachment_11095" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-11095" class="wp-caption-text">How long does he have left?</p></div>
<p>With Portugal on the verge of non-qualification for the World Cup in 2010, manager Carlos Queiroz is under extreme pressure and has the very real possibility of unemployment looming over him. Given this threat, and inevitability that this will occur, I ask you… How long before we see the Portuguese back in the Manchester United dugout alongside Sir Alex Ferguson?</p>
<p>With Portugal lying fourth in their World Cup qualifying group with only ten points from seven matches. Going into the qualification group as favourites, the current state of affairs comes as a real shock for the Euro 2008 quarter-finalists. </p>
<p>Denmark have more or less qualified for the World Cup with Hungary and Sweden in equally strong positions. It was imperative the Portuguese overcame Hungary in the last match, but even still, the jobcentre still looms large for Queiroz. </p>
<p>With Portugal lying third in Group A, level on points with fourth placed Hungary and two points behind Sweden who lie second.  With two games remaining Portugal face Hungary and Malta, both in Portugal, nothing less than six points from these games will do. But Sweden do have a relatively straightforward fixture with Albania, before which, they play Denmark, a game that will decide the fate of Carlos.</p>
<p>Queiroz therefore may be looking for new employment sooner rather than later and the Old Trafford bench is a familiar environment, one where he has had success in the past as well.</p>
<p>During his first reign sat beside Ferguson for only one year but managed to help the Old Trafford side win the Premier League title on season 02/03, before being poached by Real Madrid. It was after an unsuccessful year in Madrid that he was brought back to Old Trafford by Ferguson to begin an extremely successful four-year reign as assistant manager.</p>
<p>As a number one, Queiroz is terrible, making mistake after mistake. He is also accountable for Portugal’s failure to qualify for Euro ’92 and after taking over a very talented Sporting Lisbon team, led them to three seasons of failure and was promptly dismissed. After his first stint at Old Trafford, Real Madrid offered him a dream job, one that he could not turn down, and one that was a veritable disaster. </p>
<p>Sir Alex Ferguson welcomed the failed coach back to Old Trafford as his number two in July 2004 and so began a fruitful relationship. A number of trophies became housed at Old Trafford, including the 2008 Champions League trophy. Queiroz was seen as instrumental in United’s success, introducing new training methods and tactical plans that underpinned the Manchester United side of a few years back.</p>
<p>He also has an eye for talent spotting; he famously discovered Portugal’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’ and also had a hand in bringing Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford. But these positives have not transpired into the managerial stage and who knows, he may be back sharing a glass or two of Chianti with Sir Alex before the year is out.</p>


Will Carlos Queiroz be back at Old Trafford Soon? - World Soccer Talk

Will Carlos Queiroz be back at Old Trafford Soon?

<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-626" href="http:\/\/www.laligatalk.com/copa-del-rey-semis-away-leg/623/images-41/"></a><a rel="attachment wp-att-1079" href="http:\/\/www.laligatalk.com/barca-bayern-storylines-give-spice-to-matchup/1077/fc_bayern_munich_logo/"></a></p><div><figure class="image"><a rel="attachment wp-att-1079" href="http:\/\/www.laligatalk.com/barca-bayern-storylines-give-spice-to-matchup/1077/fc_bayern_munich_logo/"></a></figure></div><div><figure class="image"><a rel="attachment wp-att-1079" href="http:\/\/www.laligatalk.com/barca-bayern-storylines-give-spice-to-matchup/1077/fc_bayern_munich_logo/"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1079" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20090322_WST_72309_fc_bayern_munich_logo-300x300.webp&amp;width=220&amp;height=220" alt="fc_bayern_munich_logo" width="220" height="220"></a></figure></div><p></p>
<p>It didn’t send boots aquaking in Catalunya, but it is a team to respect based on their precedent.  If there is one demon they will have to overcome in order to get to that historic treble, they will have to do so against a side that they have never beaten.</p>
<p>Never Beaten Bayern</p>
<p>In four matches against the Bavarian giants, the Blaugrana do not know what victory feels like. Bayern defeated Barcelona in the semis of the UEFA Cup, and the Germans would come out on top with a 4-3 aggregate en route to becoming the first German team to raise all three European trophies back in 1996.  They would meet again in the group stages of the Champions League two years later and it would be Bayern that would get the best of them winning both games of the group stages as they would be a minute away from the Champions League title if it weren’t for an epic comeback by Manchester United.</p>
<p>Two Old Friends Meet Again</p>
<p>Earlier this decade, Josep Guardiola left a Barca side to head and have a fresh start over in Brescia.  He became yet one more example of the relationship between the Blaugrana and their idols.  When he got there as one of the big acquisitions of the summer.  It was a team that had the potential to do some damage, but in the end it was Guardiola that suffered the most.  The club ended up in 14th place, and the highlight of the season was they ended up as Intertoto Cup runners-up.  That team was one full of studs.  Andrea Pirlo, a rarely available Guardiola, Antonio Filippini, Daniele Bonera, Igli Tare, and the man that put Brescia in the epicenter of Italian football- Roberto Baggio.  He was the talk in 2002 as to whether he was going to be part of Giovanni Trappatoni’s side.  But there was a young player that played two seasons on this Brescia side.  In 44 matches, he scored 15 goals and he started to grab the attention of the Italian football scene.</p>
<p>Luca Toni would then move to Palermo where he would become capo cannoniere on a side that he would help bring back to Serie A.  He once again proved his goalscoring prowess with the rosanero scoring 50 goals in 80 matches and leading them to a spot in the UEFA Cup in only their first season in the Italian top flight.</p>
<p>MvB Returns To The Nou Camp</p>
<p>Mark Van Bommel will make his return to Barcelona after his departure three seasons ago.   The fiery Dutch midfielder.  “It is very exciting to be able to play again in Barcelona. It will be the first time that I have been back. The fact that I will be returning to what was my home for a year is very special,” <a href="http:\/\/www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/03/20/1165734/barcelona-are-playing-very-well-van-bommel">he added</a>.</p>
<p>It is obvious that there is a huge mountain to climb, but to be honest it gets steeper the closer Rome gets.  The winner of this matchup will end up playing the winner of Liverpool-Chelsea.  There is no two ways about it, there is no doubt that Barcelona are in the toughest part of their schedule and the margin for error has reduced exponentially.  Despite all of this, the subplots as well as the potential play on the pitch will make this probably one of the most exciting ties of the quarterfinals.  It could be even more exciting than Chelsea-Liverpool from a tactical perspective.</p>


Barca-Bayern Storylines Give Spice To Matchup - World Soccer Talk

Barca-Bayern Storylines Give Spice To Matchup

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