ESPN's track record of trying to acquire soccer TV rights during the first quarter of 2009 has been abysmal. First, ESPN pulled out of the bidding at the last minute for the European TV rights to the Bundesliga. In February, ESPN lost the Premier League TV rights in the UK to Sky Sports and Setanta. […]

It was one of the industry's worst kept secrets, but now that the news has officially leaked that Fox Soccer Channel has acquired the US TV rights to the UEFA Champions League, what does Fox need to do between now and September to surpass the quality of the ESPN broadcasts that we've become accustomed to […]

With the breaking news that ESPN has conceded defeat to Fox Soccer Channel in the quest to acquire the TV rights in the United States to the UEFA Champions League, a big question on the minds of soccer fans will be what commentators Fox Soccer Channel will use for some of the biggest club matches […]

It's confirmed. Fox Soccer Channel has acquired the rights to the UEFA Champions League on U.S. TV beginning with the 2009-2010 season, according to the Associated Press. This confirms the news that EPL Talk reported on March 19 when ESPN, Fox Soccer Channel and Setanta Sports bid on the TV rights while at the SportelAmerica […]

So, the FA have finally come out and asked Arsenal to respond within 7 days to Hull City and their Assistant Manger, Brian Horton's, accusations that Cesc Fabregas spat at him in the tunnel. I'm amazed on several fronts, firstly the FA have managed to start an enquiry in the same month an actual incident […]

Why can't Stewart Downing show us the form that makes him such a sought after player when he pulls on the England shirt? There is no doubting that at Premier League level, Downing is one of the most dangerous and creative players in the country but after Saturdays performance against Slovakia, it's clear to see […]

Maybe I'm a sentimentalist, but watching a former top flight stalwart fight for promotion holds an undeniable appeal. Former league giants Leeds United nearly made it back to the top flight in 2006, and I found this notion exciting. Leeds repaid my interest with a disastrous season the following year and relegation in the spring […]

Why are they bothering having a Young Player Of The Year vote this season is beyond me as Stephen Ireland is head and shoulders above every other candidate playing in the Premiership this season. Ireland has been in magnificent form since the season started and with everything going on at Manchester City on and off […]

Fabio Capello's quiet demeanor and considered words give him an aura of deep intelligence and authority, so much so it can sometimes seems he's foreseen everything through 2010 and beyond. But this week the aura's faded a bit under over doubts about his decision last week to call-up perma knee-knacked Tottenham defender Ledley King, and […]

Finally, something to push David Beckham out of MLS-related headlines. Columbian international Fredy Montero is taking the league by storm as he and his expansion Seattle Sounders are tied with Chivas USA atop the Western Conference standings with their two wins to start the season. Montero has three goals on the year, none more impressive than […]

Bob Bradley's tactics are worrisome to begin with, but now player selection is becoming a bigger and bigger issue for the US National Team. The bucket formation which has been criticized from the get go as non conducive to international football (although the formation and its variations have been very successful in MLS). Bradley's Bucket […]

After reading the piece on 2-0 v 0-2 teams at Climbing the Ladder, my own interest in numbers has led me to offer these early season tidbits on MLS attendance. First off, for all of my observations, I've taken the 4 teams playing in football stadiums, DCU in RFK, Houston in Robertson, New England in […]

It's been a relatively quiet few days in terms of Premier League news (understandably so given the focus on international friendlies and World Cup qualifying matches), but here are several stories I picked that you may be interested in reading. Check back here daily at EPL Talk for more stories throughout the day, and have […]

It's the football supporters version of eye candy — photographs of classic football shirts that have been unearthed from Umbro's ever-expanding photo archives available over at Flickr. Some of these shirt designs will have more meanings for supporters because of the memories and experiences attached to them. For many others, they may look just like […]