Their Words
"Over the last three years, each Manchester derby has intensified. The build-up is longer, people start talking about it earlier and the feeling when you win is even better." Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs.
Other Sources
Jurgen Klinsmann's mantra: More is better, more and more is best - from The Sporting News's Brian Straus: “You can only get better and get closer to the best in the world if you do more than them,” Klinsmann said.
BOCANEGRA HELPING NEXT GENERATION OF PROS WITH MLS COMBINE PREP CAMP - from SoccerbyIves: “We leave them with things they can use once the season starts and they begin their first year,” Bocanegra said.
Continue reading "Upside: Even better" »

By Tony Edwards - San Jose, CA (Dec 11, 2012) US Soccer Players -- In Tuesday’s column, Tony asks if the Revolution need to sign a free-kick specialist, wonders if Vancouver needs to sign a forward, and explains the differences between last week’s Re-Entry Draft and this week’s Re-Entry draft.
Continue reading "Questions: Signings" »
Their Words
Messi is already FC Barcelona’s all-time highest goalscorer in official matches, ahead of César Rodríguez. However, he’s third among the highest Club goalscorers when you take friendly matches into account. from Barcelona's official site.
Other Sources
Big Spending kick - from The NY Post's Rich Calder: but sources say MLS is seeking a 35-year, a $1-a-year deal with the city that includes no property taxes or revenue-sharing.
Union acquire former Drexel defender Jeff Parke - from The Philadelphia Inquirer's Marc Narducci: Union CEO and operating partner Nick Sakiewicz said a simpler term for allocation money is "cash."
Continue reading "Upside: Friendly matches" »

Is the Premier League threatening to open up in 2012-13? 16 rounds in, and Everton are a top four team. Manchester United have a six-point gap at the top of the table, but their run and gun offense and lax defending leave them vulnerable on goal difference to 2nd-place Manchester City. Yes, United won the latest Manchester derby, but there’s the feeling that things could change. A run of form, and suddenly the cracks in other clubs are exposed.
Continue reading "Corner: Premier League" »

We start with a showdown between Americans in the Premier League, with Tim Howard's Everton beating Clint Dempsey's Spurs 2-1 after staging a stoppage time comeback at Goodison Park on Sunday. Dempsey opened the scoring in the 76th minute, but Steven Pienaar equalized in the 90th and Nikica Jelavic scored the winner two minutes later.
“It’s difficult to take,” Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas said. “We can say that in the first half, we didn’t play well but in the second half we improved a lot and bounced back. The last minutes were our best with Clint’s goal and Gylfi’s chance, we kept the ball and played well, but then the game changed completely against the run of play."
Continue reading "National Teamers Abroad: Goals for Dempsey and Boyd" »
Saturday
Premier League on ESPN2: Sunderland - Chelsea at 10am. Fox Soccer has Arsenal - WBA at 9:30am, Swansea - Norwich City at 12pm, and Southampton - Reading at 2pm. Fox Soccer Plus has Aston Villa - Stoke at 10am and Wigan - QPR at 2pm. Scottish Premier League on FS+: Kilmarnock - Celtic at 7:30am.
Continue reading "Weekend TV: Manchester derby" »