The Olympic gold medal men's match is once again set. The two foes are familiar faces on this stage, Argentina and Nigeria. Perhaps it's Argentina's turn to pull even in today's rematch in Beijing; because 12 years ago in Athens...Georgia that is...Nigeria won their first and only international trophy in the form of Olympic gold. Click to continue reading...

The Olympic football has pretty much flown under the radar in the UK until today, with the powerhouses of Brazil, Argentina, Nigeria and, er.... Belgium all in action. Contrary to popular perception, players in the Olympics don't have to be amateur any more, but each team is only allowed to have 3 players over 23 in the squad, therefore creating a very youthful tournament. Click to continue reading...

The most profitable single game in the world was won by...no, not Manchester United...no, not the New York Giants...Hull City last season, as the Tigers' 1-0 Coca-Cola Championship playoff final victory over Bristol City at Wembley will net the East Yorkshire club an estimated $120 million when all is said and done. Click to continue reading...

By JAMES CLARKAn occasional Pardew's Guardian feature leading up to the August 16th kickoff ...1) Will Mark Noble fulfill his potential in the heart of West Ham's midfield? The local East Londoner (pictured above, top) is one of the gems of Tony Carr's famed Youth Academy, and Hammers supporters warm to him even more than most because he was born and bred as one of them. Click to continue reading...

We've had this debate many times before: Who is Africa's Greatest Ever Player?

I haven't a clue, although I could list the usual suspects.

One of the men who would make most everyone's Top 10 list has just called it quits: Jay-Jay Okocha.

On Thursday, more than 20,000 fans came to pay their respects to one of the greatest African footballers of all time at his testimonial game. Click to continue reading...

Now that Jozy is gone, and a game we played in Washington clearly displayed our deficiencies, who is out there in the market that can take his place?

Time to throw random names against the wall. Maybe one will stick

JAY JAY OKOCHA

Jay Jay was released from Hull City a few weeks ago.

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MLS Rumors rated the Jay-Jay Okocha to Columbus Crew rumor as a 5. But a Columbus Dispatch article on Sigi Schmid's pre-season machinations looks to have scuttled that one. The relevant passage straight from the horse's mouth: "The Crew had been linked with Nigerian standout Jay-Jay Okocha of Hull City in England, but Schmid said 'we're [. Click to continue reading...

From my view on Ives Galarcep's shoulders, I noted that Guillermo Barros Schelotto appears ready to stay in Columbus. Ives' ongoing reporting on Columbus has other people sniffing around - chief among them the Washington Post's Steve Goff and the Columbus Dispatch's Shawn Mitchell. This may have less to do with coincidence than [. Click to continue reading...

Since everyone else hit 'em hard, I figured I may as well hit 'em late.

- Want to see the United States' U-20s Round of 16 tilt against Old South American power Uruguay? Then join the campaign to, um, enlighten ESPN as to their self-interest in airing this game. Seeing as they finally invested in soccer broadcast rights, why not show off the young bucks on their way into the system (maybe. Click to continue reading...

You can say a lot of things about the mistakes Real Salt Lake have made since coming into the league in 2005. One thing you can't fault them for is giving their coach support. They didn't flinch when others were doubting Ellinger. They stepped up and were willing to open up the check book to bring some new players in. While it didn't work out, it looks like they're willing to give Kreis the same support. Click to continue reading...