Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez usually wears a suit & tie during matches.  However, today he was patrolling the sidelines at St. James' Park in a track suit.  Was this a nod to his owners that told him to focus on coaching the players he has rather than focus on funds for the January transfer window? Click to continue reading...

Vein of Form has given MLS plenty of stick over the course of the season. But after reflecting for the past several days on the season that was, we still don't particularly care for it. The positives first - it is great for MLS that Houston Dynamo have won 2 straight MLS Cups. It would have been even greater had New England Revolution managed to win 3 straight rather than lose 3 straight. Click to continue reading...

Last night's result in Washington DC would under normal circumstances be a complete footballing disaster. But this is the MLS - where normalcy has no place - and the 8th best team in the league preventing the best team from claiming the league championship is totally fine with the empty suits running things. Think of it this way: It would be the equivalent of Reading defeating Manchester United in last year's Premier League and Manchester United being told "Sorry, you may have been some 40 points better than Reading but you didn't get it done in the playoffs". Click to continue reading...

Was getting Tottenham Hotspur to 5th in the table enough to make Martin Jol bullet proof in the eyes of so many Spurs supporters and members of the press? Take a look at the current squad - a squad Jol was largely responsible - and explain to me how they aren't locked in a top 4 position right now. This isn't bad luck. While I don't think hiring a Spanish manager is the answer (just ask Liverpool how that has served them in the league) I do think Jol had to go. Click to continue reading...

The National Football League is proudly reporting that 88,000 spectators will pack Wembley Stadium this weekend to watch the New York Giants play the Miami Dolphins in the first regular season game to be played in England.

The Giants have a record of 5-2 and are in second place in their division. The Dolphins are 0-7 and considered the worst team in the league. Click to continue reading...

I hope LA Galaxy get beaten well and good on Thursday against New York Red Bull. It would be a tragedy to see them have an opportunity to qualify for the playoffs on Sunday against Chicago. Galaxy have had one of the most disappointing seasons in MLS history. They don't deserve to be in the playoffs (the same can be said for half the clubs that will qualify). Click to continue reading...

On SI.com Grant Wahl has written a fantastic article about the Heerenveen and US National Team midfielder - Michael Bradley. When most US soccer fans were disgusted this past week to see a Landon Donovan win any type of award, it is encouraging that a soccer writer has focused on a really great, young talent such as Bradley. The writers that were clueless enough to cast a vote for Donovan should not only willingly retire from ever writing about soccer again, but realize there are far more talented US players not just in MLS but abroad. Click to continue reading...

In hindsight, the six goals against Derby were an illusion. It was after all Derby and not some giant of the Premier League such as Birmingham or Wigan, correct? The form Liverpool have hit since the 6 goal explosion against the worst club to play in the top flight in years has revealed that not much has changed at Anfield despite the big spending spree. Click to continue reading...

Why is the Chelsea captain willing to risk further injury by rushing back from cheekbone surgery? The Champions League match against Valencia is not a make or break situation. If Chelsea lose - and I fully believe they will get well handled - they can still advance out of the group stage. More important, he should place country before club and ensure his health before the crucial Euro '08 qualifiers in over week. Click to continue reading...

It would be hard to deny AS Roma the honor of playing the most exciting football in Europe thus far. An argument can be made that they are not playing the best football - look back at the last two results for proof - but at times their attacking is so overwhelming to the opposition I feel like I am witnessing the next Serie A champions.

The draws against Juventus and Fiorentina were huge disappointments. Click to continue reading...

The carefree attitude Jose Mourinho has displayed with this departure indicates he knows that an Avram Grant, Guus Hiddink or Juande Ramos will not have any greater luck with managing Chelsea under Roman Abromavich. Grant is part of Abromavich's inner circle and will execute whatever orders given no questions asked. He is the ultimate lackey. He will not hoist a single trophy for Chelsea unless it is as a guest aboard one of Abromavich's yachts in the coming years. Click to continue reading...

The Group E match featuring Barcelona at home against Lyon has lost some of its luster given both sides have not gotten off to the cracking start in league play most would have expected. Barca in particular have looked toothless in the attack despite the presence of Thierry Henry. With each French title won, Lyon appear less and less interested in that competition and more determined than ever to prove their worth in the Champions League. Click to continue reading...

Group A could have the match of the day with Liverpool traveling to Porto. If Saturday's match against Portsmouth was further proof that manager Rafa Benitez has still to figure out how to field a proper side in the Premier League, this should be further proof he knows how to secure advancement in the Champions League. Look for 1-1 draw, but overall a very exciting match. Click to continue reading...

ESPN Soccernet writer Steve Davis is very upset about rumours getting started that David Beckham may go out on loan come January to an English club. So upset is Mr. Davis that he uses the words "hooey", "populist sentiment", "willy-nilly" and "implausible" in his headline. Yes, a writer getting paid by ESPN used the word "hooey". Click to continue reading...

I have to hand it to US Soccer. They have definitely raised some eyebrows by branding this weekend's friendly between the United States and Brazil as the "Clash of the Champions". While this seems more apt of a tactic by the UFC when promoting an upcoming pay-per-view, it has worked in that most people were not aware the US soccer team is a champion of anything. Click to continue reading...