The Champions League group stages have been extremely exciting this season, and as the knockout stages draw nearer, we're beginning to see the sides which will take part in the latter stages of the competition. Right now, the sides which have qualified are: Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Schalke 04, Lyon, Manchester United, Valencia, […]

Although Rafa Benitez's Inter has qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League in the same position that Mourinho's did a season ago, things look very different for the Spaniard. This is after their 3-0 loss away against Werder Bremen, and Benitez's team played poorly. With this latest loss, Benitez has racked up seven […]

With a few days perspective, Christopher Riordan and myself are set to give our thoughts on the decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup. On this edition of the Major League Soccer Talk podcast, we talk about the decision, FIFA corruption, American entitlement and exceptionalism, press failings, and how to move forward. Then, Chris […]

With top spot on the line for Schalke, a win was imperative in Portugal against a Benfica side who have looked far from their best in the Champions League. Elsewhere, Werder Bremen were playing for pride in front of their home fans against last year's European champions, Inter. SL Benfica 1 – 2 Schalke 04 […]

Occasionally a player will rely upon another player so much that they're less than half the player they could be without said player who compliments them so well. If you're confused by that word amalgam, don't be. Just make sure you watch Manchester United's next match on Monday at home against Arsenal and pay special […]

The West Coast is getting USL PRO representation next year with the announcement of the new LA Blues franchise, set to begin play in 2011. The club, which had been rumored for about a month to be the newest franchise for U.S. soccer's new third division, will play in Cal State Fullerton's Titan Stadium and […]

With the dust now settling in the wake of Chris Hughton’s shock dismissal as manager of Newcastle United yesterday afternoon, the spotlight is on owner Mike Ashley and his (hopefully) inevitable decision in choosing Hughton’s successor. Even before the announcement yesterday, the rumour mills had already been churning with nearly every available, out of work […]

Here's our feature video of the day: Chris Hughton being fired from Newcastle has stirred up some controversy. Will former Ajax manager Martin Jol be the replacement? Here's the links: Tevez Interview [Man. City] Manchester City wacky Christmas party [Metro UK] Hughton sacked [Four Four Two] Favorite Freddie Ljungberg [The Equaliser] EPL fantasy advice [Roto […]

There is almost unanimous outrage at the dismissal of Chris Hughton. From a football point of view it looks unsustainable, all the more so when instability and hysterical appointments have been the reasons behind the decline Newcastle over the past ten years but also because by any same measure Hughton was doing a great job. […]

By now the dust is beginning to settle over England’s disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign as well as the unsuccessful 2018 bid, but a disappointing end to 2010 for England may once again have the critics debating whether this England team is actually capable of anything noteworthy on the pitch. England will not play again […]

It's the final group stages matchday of the Champions League, and Roma and Inter Milan need to win their midweek matches. After such a poor display from Italian sides in the Europa League, the Serie A needs to hold its head high and have three teams go into the knockout stages of Europe's top competition. […]

The Champions League continues this week with the Bundesliga's representatives finishing their groups and either heading into the round of sixteen or out of the competition altogether. Tuesday night features Felix Magath's Schalke, who will travel to Benfica for three more points that will seal their top-of-the-table status; and Thomas Schaaf's struggling Werder Bremen side, […]

So the clock ticks ever closer to the season of goodwill and as a self confessed lover of Christmas, a word of warning for fellow football fans hoping to receive that special something in their Christmas stocking or under the tree. As the years have gone by, I have sometimes received presents based purely on […]

Borussia Dortmund's Jakub Blaszczykowski has won Polish Player of the Year after turning in some impressive performances at both club and international level. In the 09/10 season, Kuba, as he is known for short, scored four league goals and contributed a few assists. This season, he has nearly reached those same figures already and we're […]

Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund side have looked unstoppable lately, and they had the chance this Sunday to extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table to ten points. Meanwhile, their main title rivals Bayer Leverkusen, will have been hoping to keep pace and take advantage of any slip-ups. Let's get to the results. […]