Sorry to all the fans of my articles, if there are any. This week’s Meet the Ref is a shortened version as I’ve been ill in bed for a few days and haven’t got enough time to do a full run down of the weekend, but we will be back to normal next week. Saturday […]

A week after the US loss of the 2022 World Cup, much ink and internet type has been spilled on whether the U.S. deserved the bid or was robbed, whether we American soccer fans have a false sense of entitlement or a shady process overwhelmed everything, and even whether U.S. soccer is ok without the […]

This video has been spreading through the web like crazy. Here's Emmanuel Eboue warming up before entering the game against Partizan. Here’s the links: EPL clash of the titans [Prost Amerika Soccer] Top 5 EPL players by FIFA [The Best Eleven] Take a breath Villa fans [7500 To Holte] EPL viewing guide [EPL Talk] Mexican […]

Watch the best goals from round four of FIFA 11's Goal of the Week competition in the above video. There are several sublime ones including goals for Arsenal, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Marseille. Some of them will make you drool. Others may make you sick at how easy they seem to be. For more […]

In American college football they call it Rivalry Week. Well, we don't get all of the traditional rivals this weekend, but we sure do get many. My stars are flying out like Christmas gifts. The 4 Birmingham/West Midlands teams square off on Saturday and Sunday, Bolton face neighboring Blackburn, there's an extremely juicy London derby […]

One of the most anticipated managerial appointments of the past twelve months has finally been done and dusted, much to the bereavement of Newcastle supporters the world-over. Alan Pardew was announced as Newcastle United’s next manager early this afternoon, signed on a massive five and a half year contract and charged with the task of […]

Usually when a team has top spot in the Champions League group stage locked up going into the final matchday, there is little emphasis put on the result of that team in that final group fixture. Not so when you are Chelsea and are currently mired in a run of form that better suits the […]

All four English Premier League clubs in UEFA Champions League are through to the knock-out round, though not all advancements are made the same. Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea topped their groups, but thanks to Arsenal finishing second in Group H, the Gunners can be drawn against Bayern Munich, Real Madrid or Barcelona in the […]

Bayern Munich were always going to be expected to beat FC Basel, especially at home, and they did just that. Thomas Kraft started in goal for the home side and he was called to action on a number of occasions but performed very admirably. Louis van Gaal will be delighted with his side's performance, but […]

The first round of the MLS re-entry draft is in the books, and the result of the new process to improve player movement among clubs is......meh. Every club had a chance to select the 35 players who, due to time in the league and contract status, were available for selection. All but two passed until […]

Today's video features Manchester United players in an ad for a popular vodka. Poor Rio barely gets a touch though. Thanks to Off The Post for the good find. Here's the links: Ray Wilkins speaks [Vital Football] Everton secure young midfielder [Guardian] Pardew leads manager race [Soccer News] Mike Ashley's Pardew checklist [Transfer Tavern] True […]

Louis van Gaal's Bayern Munich are set to host an FC Basel side that, with a win, could qualify for the round of sixteen. Die Roten booked their place in the next round of Europe's elite club competition weeks ago, but Louis van Gaal has stressed the importance of winning every game. Bayern Munich have […]

Congratulations to FC København for becoming the first Danish club through to the last 16 in the UEFA Champions League era. This goes down as one of their biggest successes in European club competition since they reached the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup (1991/92) prior to their merger. Ah yes, the merger. Many don't […]

Several readers have asked me to share recommendations of what gift ideas would be perfect for soccer fans this time of the year, especially those who follow English Premier League teams, so here are 9 great holiday gifts for you, or for the soccer fan in your life. Editor's note: I included a variety of […]

Although the third round is still a month away I have decided to honour the achievements of Crawley Town's achievements encourage all the other potential giantkillers out there by running a series of posts looking back at some of the classic ‘cupsets’ over the years, which I have in vain humour entitled 'FA Cup Upsets and Cupsets'.