After the Weekend May 29-30

Starters

OLR is headed to a brief holiday. There will be no OLR posts until next weekend.
Now I know that because most of what I post are links to what I think are informative or interesting bits about soccer, it doesn't lend itself to readers offering comments. But I would like to request from my readers their opinion of OLR to assess if you are getting value from the site. Thank you.

MLS

Galaxy wins battle of unbeatens in Columbus. RSL stays strong at home. Union get first ever away victory, surprising Houston. Revs win but lose Burpo in horrendous challenge. TFC moves to 2nd in the east. KC and Seattle continue to slide. DCU wins in extra time. San Jose can't maintain momentum.

• Weekend recaps at MLSSoccer.com.
• Weekly Attendance Report.
• Steve Davis on MLS keepers.

Interesting Reads

• Richard Whittall: Is this the Age of the Manager?
• Japan still searching for creative spark.
• Keith Hickey: Growing up soccer.
• West African nations continue to struggle to find skillful playmakers.
• Psychology of the penalty kick.

World Cup

• Best description I've seen about the new ball keepers are complaining about.
• Asia's three big leagues break for World Cup.
• Tim Vickery: World Cup's legacy will take years to measure.
• Pre cup friendlies: US 2 Turkey 1 - Spain 3 Saudi Arabia 2 - New Zealand 1 Serbia 0 - Slovakia 1 Cameroon 1 - Norway 2 Montenegro 1 - Poland 0 Finland 0 - Sweden 4 Bosnia-Herzegovina 2 - Germany 3 Hungary 0 - South Korea 0 Belarus 1 - England 2 Japan 1- Paraguay 2 Ivory Coast 2 - Mexico 5 Gambia 1 - Chile 1 Northern Ireland 0 - Tunisia 1 France 1 -
• Andrew Guest on Group E (with links to his previews of groups A-D).
• World Cup Tales: When The World Cup Legitimised A Dictatorship – Argentina, 1978.
• Zac Lee Rigg with a brief history of the World Cup.

Around the World

• Millwall promoted after victory over Swindon Town. 
• Corinthians stay top in Brasil.
• Indonesia Super League standings and scorers.

The Business of Soccer

• St Louis update.

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News and Views from Fri 5/28

Starters
The regular 'After the Weekend' post will most likely be an abbreviated version as OLR will be on a brief holiday. As such, there will be no OLR posts until next weekend.
Now I know that because most of what I post are links to what I think are informative or interesting bits about soccer, it doesn't lend itself to readers offering comments. But I would like to request from my readers their opinion of OLR to assess if you are getting value from the site. Thank you.

MLS

• Injury Report for 5/28.
• WV Hooligans previews of this weekend's games.
• Terrific stats from MLS and EPL by Nordecke Luchador.
• DC United's Barklage lost for season.

Interesting Reads

• Tom Dunmore collates info on the St. Louis situation. I recommend reading the links in Tom's post.
• The Good Old Days were not so good.
• Scientific formula of a perfect penalty kick.
• Jamie Trecker asks ... Why play friendlies?
• This piece should get a chuckle out of MLS fans. 'Is the Premier League Turning into a Proving Ground for Potential Superstars?'.
• Charlie Davies' accident still shrouded in mystery.
• Violent tackling will be focus of referees in World Cup and beyond.
• AC Milan Lab's secret of youth.
• St. Louis Athletica debacle and soccer fan soul searching.
• Team USA and the state of the soccer nation.

World Cup

• Cash stolen from Colombia's players rooms in South Africa.
• FIFA finds no evidence of plan to bribe World Cup referees.
• Julio Cesar join Lloris in condemnation of WC ball.
• Jason Kuenle discusses the position battles on the USMNT.
• Swiss striker Streller joins Essien and Ballack on the World Cup sidelines.
• Pre cup friendlies: Ireland 3 Algeria 0

Around the World

• France will host Euro 2016.
• Mexico's non-draft draft.

The Business of Soccer

• How not to run a football club.
• German club Arminia Bielefeld is on the brink of bankruptcy.
• The Supporters Trust movement reaches Serie A.
• Man U must sell players to pay debts, analysts say.
• The American Needle decision and MLS. Highly recommended read for single entity geeks.

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News and Views from Thurs May 27

MLS

• NA SuperLiga schedule. Note: The group phase run from 7/14-7/21. Chicago has no MLS games during  that period. Chivas USA plays on 7/10 and 7/24(5 games in 14 days). NE plays on 7/10 and 7/31(5 games in 21 days). Houston plays on 7/10 and 7/24(5 games in 14 days).
• David Agrell: On MLS rookies, getting better.
• A good read about Dejan Jakovic of DC United.
• Fire, Dallas draw.

Interesting Reads

• The homegrown player issue in England.
• Atlanta: Soccer in the streets.
• Pros and cons of buying players during a World Cup. 
• Sex and Soccer.
• UEFA to add referees during UEFA Champions League matches.

World Cup

• US team: By the Numbers.
• Pre cup friendlies: South Africa 2 Colombia 1 - Denmark 2 Senegal 0 - Honduras 2 Belarus 2 - Uruguay 4 Israel 1
• US State Department issues travel alert for South Africa.

Around the World

• The Guardian: Bundesliga season wrap up.

The Business of Soccer

• UEFA's new regulations approved.
• UEFA's new regulations: Changing the face of football.
• Women’s Professional Soccer’s Saint Louis Athletica To Fold.
• WPS press release on St Louis Athletica and players free agency.

Silly Season

• Man U signs Chivas striker Hernández.

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News and Views from Wed May 26

At the Top

• US World Cup squad named.

The buzz surrounding the selection ...

• Findley over Ching
• 'Only' 4 MLS players, but a majority have played in MLS
• Onyewu's performance against Czechs
• Defense, particularly left back, no surprise there

MLS

• Wizards sign midfielder Jamar Beasley.
• World Cup Player bonuses(from 2004 CBA).
• Do soccer stadiums equate to better attendance?
• Open Cup 'win and you're in' - RBNY 3 Colorado 0 - DC United host RSL on June 2.
• DC United over AC Milan 3-2.
• Seattle beats Boca Jrs. 3-0.

Interesting Reads

• FIFA will crack down on dangerous tackles.

World Cup

• FIFA puts up 150,000 tickets for sale.
• France keeper Lloris: WC ball is disaster.
• Clubs receive compensation for each player at World Cup. 
• Team profile: Switzerland. 
• Team profile: Ghana.

Around the World

• Real Madrid axe Pellegrini, clear way for Mourinho.
• Friendlies: France 2 Costa Rica 1 - Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 - Turkey 2 N Ireland 0
• Toronto wins Nutralite Canadian Championship, gain berth in CONCACAF Champions League.

The Business of Soccer

• Most EPL teams will have to cut wages to comply with UEFA's 'Financial Fair Play'. 
• The business side of the US/Czech friendly.

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News and Views from Tues May 25

At the Top

• The 23 man USMNT squad will be announced on Wednesday.
• The 6 part series on the US road to South Africa, originally posted a MLS Talk. It would have been nice if 'Nutmegged' had given a proper attribution. 

MLS

• Brian Lewis: MLS VP Todd Durbin talks transfers, reserve league and more.
• MLS Tactics: The Galaxy.
• Dissecting The Success Of The Red Bull New York Academy.
• Revs academy update.
• Win and you're in the Open Cup - RBNY v Rapids on Wednesday.

Interesting Reads

• How football helped to heal Honduras.
• Rob Hughes: The future in the US plays it footloose.
• All about Sacha, Kljestan, that is. Part 5 of 5 with links to parts 1 thru 4.
• Reyna outlines plans for U.S. youth soccer.

Around the World

• AFC Cup quarterfinal draw.
• More EPL players off to La Liga?
• English players fail: Snub anti-bigotry campaign.
• Vancouver in must win game v Montreal in Nutralite Championship.
• Copa Libertadores breaks for World Cup, semifinals will be played July 28.

World Cup

• North Korea, Kim Jong-Il and football tactics.
• 10 Questions: Algeria.
• Andrew Guest: Group D - Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia.
• Greg Seltzer: US Group C opponents - England, Algeria, Slovenia.
• Another look at Group C.
• Czechs beat US 4-2.
• Pre Cup friendlies: Nigeria, Saudi Arabia draw. Ireland beats Paraguay. Cameroon, Georgia draw. North Korea, Greece draw.

The Business of Soccer

• Tom Dunmore: The Grand Failure Of A Real Soccer Club In St. Louis.
• England: More on parachute payments.

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News and Views from Mon May 24

MLS

• Reviewing RBNY's win over Juventus.
• DC United on pace to set dubious club records.
• Revs update.
• Drew Epperly's MLS 'Hot and Not'.

Interesting Reads

• All about Sacha, Kljestan, that is. Part 4 of 5 with links to parts 1 thru 3.
• An interview with Graham Poll. 
• Tapping into the passion.
• For your non-soccer friends, a phrase glossary.
• Esteli sends protest to CONCACAF over CCL exclusion.

World Cup

• Pre Cup friendlies - South Korea defeat Japan. Austrailia beat New Zealand. Argentina over Canada. England 3 Mexico 1. South Africa draw with Bulgaria. Portugal, Cape Verde Islands draw.
• Andrew Guest: South Africa's greatest WC moment.
• The story of the first World Cup.

Around the World

• USSF D2 weekend recap.

The Business of Soccer

• Spain will not make clubs strike joint TV deals.
• MLS watches as Supreme Court rules against NFL.
• UEFA Champions League Final TV ratings.
• MLS opens front office training center.
• Parachute payments in England could distort competition.
• Vietnam League attendances.

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After the Weekend May 22-23

MLS

• Weekly Attendance report.
• Game recaps at MLSSoccer.com.
• RBNY beats Juventus 3-1.
• Chicago fail at Sister Cities International.
• Galaxy down Boca Jrs.

Interesting Reads

• A link to pass along to your 'new to soccer' friends. Rules of the game.
• Lord Triesman, former chairman of the Football Association and entrapment.
• How football can keep the lid on strife.
• UCL on Fox, the emergence of the US football fan.
• US player profile: Sacha Kljestan.
• Soccer's foothold in the US. 
• For England fans: The Guardian's football coverage.

Around the World

• SoccerLens: Swiss Football Rocked By Europe-Wide Match Fixing Scandal.
• Toluca wins Mexican Clausura.
• Campeonato Brasileiro update.

World Cup

• Foreign fans staying home, revised estimates reveal. Huge financial shortfall predicted.
• The real World Cup prize, broadcast rights.

Club Tourneys

• Inter Milan wins UEFA Champions League with 2-0 win over Bayern Munich. Serie A keeps 4th UCL spot.
• Between the two UCL finalists, 21 players are World Cup bound.
• UCL final: Passing statistics.

The Business of Soccer

• Brian Quarstad: AC St. Louis update for 5/22.
• Bill Archer: On St. Louis and the future of soccer.

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News and Views from Fri May 21

MLS

• Player profile: Rapids' defender Julien Baudet.
• Michael Lewis: On RBNY, Bob Bradley and SuperDraft picks.
• I normally don't link to stories of speculation, but I like Andrew Hush, so here is his take on the prospective arrival of Thierry Henry in MLS.
• Tournaments are key for Seattle.

Interesting Reads

• World Cup players in the UEFA Champions League final.
• CONCACAF's report on Esteli stadium... or why Belize and Nicaragua have been excluded from the Champions League.
• Jason Davis: You'll know soccer is big in American when...
• I would normally be loathe to point you to another Freddy Adu post, but this one's pretty good. 

World Cup

• French keeper on WC balls.
• Andrew Guest on Group C.

Around the World

• USSF D2 week 7 preview.
• Indonesia Premier League playoffs.
• Turkish football report.
• West Ham makes offer to Henry.
• Brasilians win VW Junior Masters tourney.
• Pachuca signs Herculez Gomez.

The Business of Soccer

• News UEFA rules will force changes in transfer and contract policies.
• England's 24 team 2nd division, aka, the Championship, draws 50 year high attendances.
• Jamie Trecker: When is a contract not a contract?
• I linked to Inside Minnesota Soccer's post on this yesterday, here's a little more in depth on the woes in St. Louis.
• USSF helps AC St. Louis make payroll.
• Mallorca enters voluntary administration.
• Money boost from UEFA Champions League final.

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News and Views from Thurs May 20

MLS

• LA and Columbus remain undefeated despite missing top players.
• Ngwenya finally rejoins Houston.
• Rev U16 players honored by US Soccer.
• Union loan Zimmerman to Harrisburg.
• Red Bull Arena, will it matter?

The Business of Soccer

• Seattle Sounders named as 2010 pro sports team of the year.
• Richard Farley is reporting that NASL's AC St. Louis and WPS's St. Louis Athletica are on the brink of going out of business.
• Inside Minnesota Soccer with more on USL and NASL.

Interesting Reads

• Sir Alex Ferguson on American soccer and MLS.
• Steve Davis: Big media should cover soccer correctly or not at all.
• The worst job in soccer.
• Beau Dure: Why college still produces pro talent.

World Cup

• Goal.com debate: Who should start at the back for the US?
• A study in National team training techniques.
• The WC created this soccer fan.

Around the World

• Brasil's Internacional and Universidad de Chile join Sao Paulo and Chivas de Guadalajara in Copa Libertadores semifinals.
• Mexican Liguilla final - Toluca/Santos draw in first leg.
• Nepal league postponed indefinitely.

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News and Views from Wed May 19

MLS

• Expansion: Miami fans renew expansion push. 
• LA draws Puerto Rico, Seattle draws Central American team in CCL preliminary play.
• Crew set CONCACAF Champions League as priority.
• Portuguese champs Benfica defeat Revs in friendly.
• Philadelphia sells out season ticket packages.

Interesting Reads

• Peter Wilt: Sports results effect on one fan's psyche.
• Some statistical comparisons of the top Euro leagues.
• US players and the Mexican league.
• Brian Zygo: Americans cheering for England and the USA on June 12.

Player Moves

• David Villa moves to Barcelona.
• Keeper Ben Foster signs with Birmingham City.

The Business of Soccer

• The latest accounts of EPL clubs.
• European reform movement.
• La Liga debts. Trouble ahead?

Club Tourneys

• CONCACAF Champions League draw.
• Sevilla win Copa del Rey. 
• Sao Paulo over Cruzeiro to move into Copa Libertadores semifinals.
• Canadian NutraLite Championship: Vancouver draws with Toronto to stay alive in tourney.
• Chicago Fire fall as Sister Cities International Tourney gets underway.

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News and Views from Tues May 18

MLS

• Complete rosters for the Chicago Sister Cities Cup.
• All-Star Voting.
• Prepping for Vancouver in 2011.
• RBNY will miss two key players for its match with the Crew.
• Revs academy update. 
• Injury report as of 5/18.
• FC Dallas looks to Brasil for young talent.
• Defenders on the attack.
• United Mania: DC United, time to look to the future.
• Player profile: Luis Gil.

Interesting Reads

• Jamie Trecker: On injuries, the World Cup, protecting players and greed.
• Rob Hughes: The brutal side of the beautiful game.
• Why soccer isn't more popular in the USA.
• US youth teams' coaches.
• Jason Davis: Americans supporting others.
• The U20 Toulon tourney is underway.

World Cup

• Andrew Guest: Group B and stats you probably haven't seen.
• The Underrated Files – Gonzalo Higuaín.
• World Cup Buzz: Group A analysis.
• Fans asked to save electricity while at World Cup.
• No feinting on PK's at the Cup.
• Lack of diversity in World Cup winners remains a huge mystery.
• Fallout from attack on Algerian squad in Cairo.

The Business of Soccer

• Abramovich and Chelsea's financial structure.
• Financial health of EPL questioned.

Club Tourneys

• InterLiga will cease to exist. Soccer United Marketing loses one of its cash cows.
• La Liga’s Copa del Rey final set for tomorrow.
• Nicaraguan and Belizean teams excluded from CONCACAF Champions League.
• Chivas de Guadalajara through to the semifinals of this year's Copa Libertadores.

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News and Views from Mon May 17

MLS

• Wizards academy update.
• TFC: Prospect Zac Herold ends career due to heart condition. 
• Steve Davis: 5 things from MLS.
• Drew Epperly's weekend recap.

Interesting Reads

• A Philadelphia Union(and Man U) fan awaits a friendly visit.
• England: The power of the Premier League.
• EPL v MLS: A fan's experience.
• Nutmeg Radio: The diving pandemic, it's only just begun.
• Despite the pretentious title, a decent article about the growth of soccer in Philadelphia.
• Andrew Guest: Team USA and the state of the soccer nation.

Around the World

• Dick Advocaat will be appointed Russia's head coach.
• USSF D2 weekend recap.
• The Brasileirão is in full swing.

World Cup

• Top clubs sending players to South Africa.
• For fans in the USA: 8 rules of World Cup Fight Club.
• Ballack will miss World Cup for Germany.
• FIFA investigating bribery claims.
• A link to share with your non-soccer friends. Beginner's Guide to the World Cup.

The Business of Soccer

• Onyewu extends contract with AC Milan, will play final year for free.
• MLS demographics.
• Manchester United sponsorship deals pass 200M pound mark.
• Seattle teams announce new partnership.

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After the Weekend May 15-16

Moron List(I'll leave it to you to look up the tweeter)

• "#mls #sucks and 124 people agree. See more on Mls sucks page"

MLS

• My weekly attendance report.
• Weekend recaps at MLSSoccer.com
• Michael Lewis: Henry would be nice for RBNY, a playmaker would be better.
• Will young players be able to save Revs' season?
• Wizards waive Igor Kostrov.

Interesting Reads

• The 'right' kind of greatness.
• Richard Whittall: On Pitch Invasion's 'The Sweeper' and soccer journalism.
• Jason Davis: Fandom, bias and logic.

Around the World

• Spring playoffs in Central America.
• USSF D2 standings.
• Will Estelí's stadium pass CONCACAF Champions League inspection?
• Toluca will meet Santos for Mexican Clausura title.
• Argentinos Juniors win Argentine Clausura.
• Bursaspor win Turkish title.
• Governance of Canadian soccer about to change.

Club Tourneys

• Chelsea completes double with FA Cup victory over Portsmouth.
• Bayern Munich achieves double with German Cup win over Werder Bremen.
• Zenit St. Petersburg wins Russian Cup.
• KC Athletics make it into US Open Cup.

World Cup

• Bill Archer on the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.
• Preparing for altitude.
• Scandal in the wings.
• What Lord Triesman’s Resignation Means For Other Countries’ World Cup Bids.

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Title and Champions League Races in Europe

	GP	W	D	L	GD	Pts
EPL - Final
Chelsea	38	27	5	6	71	86
Manchester Utd	38	27	4	7	58	85
Arsenal	38	23	6	9	42	75
Tottenham	38	21	7	10	26	70
Manchester City	38	18	13	7	28	67
Aston Villa	38	17	13	8	13	64
Bundesliga - Final
Bayern Munich	34	20	10	4	41	70
Schalke 04	34	19	8	7	22	65
Werder Bremen	34	17	10	7	31	61
Bayer Leverkusen	34	15	14	5	27	59
Dortmund	34	16	9	9	12	57
Stuttgart	34	15	10	9	10	55
Ligue 1 - Final
Marseille	38	23	9	6	33	78
Lyon	38	20	12	6	26	72
Auxerre	38	20	11	7	13	71
Lille	38	21	7	10	32	70
Montpellier	38	20	9	9	10	69
Bordeaux	38	19	7	12	18	64
Serie A - Final
Internazionale	38	24	10	4	41	82
AS Roma	38	24	8	6	27	80
AC Milan	38	20	10	8	21	70
Sampdoria	38	19	10	9	8	67
Palermo	38	18	11	9	12	65
Napoli	38	15	14	9	7	59
La Liga - Final
Barcelona	38	31	6	1	74	99
Real Madrid	38	31	3	4	67	96
Valencia	38	21	8	9	19	71
Sevilla FC	38	19	6	13	16	63
Mallorca	38	18	8	12	15	62
Getafe	38	17	7	14	10	58

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News and Views from Fri May 14

MLS

• Injury Report.
• J Hutcherson: A look around the league.
• The Black Hole in the Southeast and the Dangers of Concentrated Expansion.
• WVHooligan's weekend preview.
• Revs waive Mauricio Castro.
• Where has the Wizardry gone?

Interesting Reads

• Geography of US Soccer.
• The Death Of Sportsmanship In Modern-Day Football.
• Rewarding dedication with a World Cup.

Around the World

• Bombers attack soccer game in North Iraq.

World Cup

• The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Writing A World Cup Article.
• SoccerLens: World Cup guides.
• Jeff Carlisle: US midfield still finding its way.
• Andrew Hush: USMNT position battles.

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News and Views from Thurs May 13

Starters

• The big story for me was the cancellation of a friendly in soccer hungry Phoenix. The Club America/Pachuca match scheduled for July 7 will not take place because of what we know here as SB 1070, the new immigration law.

MLS

• RSL maintains home field dominance, defeat Houston.
• Video: 15 minute Q and A with Don Garber.
• Expansion: San Antonio dreaming.
• Findley leaving for Europe?
• FC Dallas signs Colombian striker Milton Rodriguez.
• Red Bull Salzburg win 2nd consecutive Austrian Bundesliga title.
• Crew sign French midfielder Leandre Griffit.
• Michael Lewis on fixture congestion. Certainly the first of the annual posts on the subject. I've written about it myself.
• Jeff Parke signs with Seattle.

Interesting Reads

• Special 1 TV making its return. All episodes in chronological order. Watch these and be ready to smile.
• Tom Meagher follows up his post from yesterday with another on soccer journalism.

The Business of Soccer

• The rotten structure of English football.
• Manchester City to play Timbers. City will also play Club America in Atlanta.
• Mexico draws over 70,000 for friendly in Houston vs Angola.

World Cup

• A good read from Dan Gaspar, US born coach at U of Hartford, and Portuguese assistant coach at the upcoming World Cup.
• Tim Vickery on Brasil and Argentina.
• Former USMNT player John O'Brien on the US squad.
• Alexi Lalas also comments on the USMNT squad.
• South Africa spends 3.5 billion pounds, but for what return?
• Team profile: Ghana.

Club Tournaments

• Korean teams dominate AFC.
• Indonesia Cup Quarterfinals.
• Internacional of Brasil defeated defending champion Estudiantes in the first leg of the last quarterfinal match.

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News and Views from Wed May 12

MLS

• Impact of US 30 man squad on MLS teams.
• Hispanic Millenials: The future of MLS.
• Pro/Reg: The subject has been beaten to death, but this piece at least has a fresh take. Feel free to disagree.
• DC United getting better, but is it too late.

Interesting Reads

• In the aftermath of Inter Milan's victory over Barcelona, the question arises, How important is possession?
• Sanford's Soccer Net: Just a bunch of good stuff.
• Peter Wilt: Are we there yet? (soccer in the US)
• Soccer journalism in the US. And Fake Sigi did a fine follow up.
• Paul Scholes: Not in South Africa, in Orlando, Florida.

Around the World

• A-League looking to the US for players.
• Two draws in Mexican Liguilla semifinal 1st legs.

The Business of Soccer

• English Premier League proposes new compensation deal for young players.

World Cup

• Team profile: Ivory Coast.
• Team profile: New Zealand.
• The Guardian's World Cup section. Tons of news. A good link to bookmark for WC2010.
• Goal.com: The 23 man reject squad.
• A conversation with David Downs of GoUSABid.

Club Tournaments

• US Open Cup  - Competition structure finalized - RBNY over New England.
  
• CAF Champions League(Africa) - Top clubs move through.
  
• AFC Champions League(Asia) - 4 teams take their place in quarterfinals.
  
• UEFA Champions League(Europe) - final May 22, Bayern Munich v Inter Milan
  
• CONCACAF Champions League(North America) - 2010 Champs - Pachuca
  
• Copa Libertadores(South America) - U de Chile, Sao Paolo win 1st leg quarterfinal matches.
  
• Europa League(Europe) - Atlético Madrid defeats Fulham to win Europa League title.
  
• Nutralite Canadian Championship - Toronto win eliminates Montreal.
  

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News and Views from Tues May 11

Starters
The big story in the US is the announcement of the 30 man preliminary roster(see WC section below). I'll let you ferret out your own choice of commentary on the group. There certainly is no shortage of opinion out there.
The most chatter is about the omission of Charlie Davies from the squad. Following that, you'll find roughly equal amounts of blurbing about Freddie Adu(not on squad), the lack of forward depth, and a bit about Heath Pearce's chances of going to South Africa.

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MLS

• Part 2 of Footiebusiness on Gambling on MLS.
• Can Montreal have an Impact on MLS?
• Expansion: With the announcement of Montreal as the 19th team, talk naturally began about which city would be best for the 20th club. A few days back, an article appeared at Goal.com on why New York City should not be considered. Frankly, I thought the piece so poor and lacking in substance that I didn't link to it. Drew Epperly of WVHooligan, however, has written on the subject and found that as usual of his work, it is worth the read.

Interesting Reads

• Soccer for Fun in the US.
• Potential and Youth.

Around the World

• Malaysian Super League standings.
• FIFA suspends El Salvador for government interference.

World Cup

• USMNT 30 man preliminary roster.
• Algerians/Slovenians abroad weekend recap.
• Extra cash to South Africa to ensure preparedness.
• Stars that won't be going to South Africa.

Club Tourneys

• The Nutralite Championship matches are live streamed. Next match on Wed May 12.
• US Open Cup: RBNY v New England live stream.
• Europa League final. Wed May 12. Fulham v Atletico Madrid.
• Chivas wins 1st leg in Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.

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News and Views from Mon May 10

MLS

• Footiebusiness: Gambing on MLS
• MLS'ers Boyens and Espinoza selected for their countries' preliminary World Cup rosters.
• Recaps of weekend games at MLSSoccer.com.

Interesting Reads

• The Best Eleven: Average age of clubs in major Euro leagues.
• Passive defending as a strategy.
• Brian Zygo: So a Eurosnob and an American soccer fan walk into a bar.
• Nutmeg Radio: Playing for the badge is overrated.

Around the World

• Rangers FC cancels US summer tour, ignore the pissing contest in the comment section.
• La Liga to break away from second division.
• Playoffs in Central America.
• USSF D2 weekend review.
• Mexico/Senegal friendly draws over 60,000 in Chicago.

The Business of Soccer

• England: Relegated clubs getting increased parachute payments.
• Liverpool TV income increase in 7 figures.

World Cup

• South Africa World Cup - 'Just for the Rich'
• Jason Davis asks - Do you pick on form players or 'first teamers' coming off injury?
• Aaron Stollar on the proposed CONCACAF World Cup qualifying changes.
• Team profile: Japan.

Club Tournaments

• US Open Cup - MLS Play-In continues May 12 - RBNY v NE
  
• CAF Champions League(Africa) - Former winners advance to group phase.
  
• AFC Champions League(Asia) - Play resumes on May 11.
  
• UEFA Champions League(Europe) - Bayern Munich v Inter Milan
  
• CONCACAF Champions League(North America) - Pachuca defeats Cruz Azul for title
  
• Copa Libertadores(South America) - Quarterfinals: Flamengo vs. Alianza, Libertad vs. Chivas, Estudiantes vs. Internacional and Cruzeiro vs. Sao Paulo
• Europa League(Europe) - final: Atletico Madrid v Fulham
  
• Nutralite Canadian Championship
  

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After the Weekend May 8-9

MLS

• MLS Weekly attendance report.
• Podcast: MLS weekend review show.
• League makes push for top internationals.
• 14 year old defender named winner of Sueño MLS 2010. Meanwhile, former winner Funes Mori scored a hat trick for his Argentine club River Plate. 
• Seattle fans offered rebate for poor performance.

Interesting Reads

• Bill's Sports Maps. I've had this site bookmarked for quite some time.
• David Hill's 2009-10 'Said and Done' awards. A fun read.
• USMNT U17 trip canceled.
• While trying to locate an english language report on the Mexican liguilla(playoffs) on ESPNSoccernet, I ran across this old piece by Frank Dell'Apa on the Mexican Primera and MLS playoffs.
• Arsene Wenger on next year's Premier League squad cap.

Around the World

• Bayern Munich seal Bundesliga title.
• USSF D2 standings.
• Mexican semifinals set.
• Benfica wins Portuguese Premier League title.
• The Puerto Rico Islanders won the CFU Club Champions Cup.
• Mexican liguilla semifinals:  Pachuca v Toluca - Morelia v Santos, 1st legs Wednesday, 2nd legs Saturday

World Cup

• Noah Davis: New CONCACAF World Cup qualifying system. OLR first linked to a post on Hexagonal Blog about this issue.
• Carlo Costly injury will have him miss World Cup for Honduras.

The Business of Soccer

• Bundesliga is an economic force.
• West Ham may offer shares to supporters.

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Title and Champions League Races in Europe

	GP	W	D	L	GD	Pts
EPL - Final
Chelsea	38	27	5	6	71	86
Manchester Utd	38	27	4	7	58	85
Arsenal	38	23	6	9	42	75
Tottenham	38	21	7	10	26	70
Manchester City	38	18	13	7	28	67
Aston Villa	38	17	13	8	13	64
Bundesliga - Final
Bayern Munich	34	20	10	4	41	70
Schalke 04	34	19	8	7	22	65
Werder Bremen	34	17	10	7	31	61
Bayer Leverkusen	34	15	14	5	27	59
Dortmund	34	16	9	9	12	57
Stuttgart	34	15	10	9	10	55
Ligue 1
Marseille	37	22	9	6	31	75
Lille	37	21	7	9	33	70
Auxerre	37	19	11	7	12	68
Lyon	36	18	12	6	21	66
Montpellier	37	19	9	9	8	66
Bordeaux	37	19	7	11	19	64
Serie A
Internazionale	37	23	10	4	40	79
AS Roma	37	23	8	6	25	77
AC Milan	37	19	10	8	18	67
Sampdoria	37	18	10	9	7	64
Palermo	37	17	11	9	11	62
Napoli	37	15	14	8	8	59
La Liga
Barcelona	37	30	6	1	70	96
Real Madrid	37	31	2	4	67	95
Valencia	37	20	8	9	18	68
Sevilla FC	37	18	6	13	15	60
Mallorca	37	17	8	12	13	59
Getafe	37	16	7	14	7	55

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News and Views from Fri May 7

MLS

• Worst kept secret. Montreal is MLS' 19th team, begins play in 2012. If you are wondering why I'm a 'day late' on this, it's because I generally do not report on unconfirmed information.
• And a couple of takes on the new expansion move. Bill Archer. Jamie Trecker. 
• Weekend previews.
• More previews.

Interesting Reads

• America's other favorite team, Mexico.
• Soccer star to leave clinic after gunshot to head.

The Business of Soccer

• Liverpool goes from profit to loss.

Around the World

• USSF D2: A look ahead at week 5.
• England: Making the case against playoffs.
• Togo's ban from African Cup of Nations lifted.
• Harbour View wins Jamaican Premier League.
• Mexico and Ecuador draw at inaugural event at the new Meadowlands.

World Cup

• FIFA on squad lists for World Cup.
• Spots still open on US squad.

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News and Views from Thur May 6

MLS

• Footiebusiness: A Wednesday night in Foxboro.
• Los Angeles has not allowed a goal on the road.
• Houston lost 2 regular season home games in two years, they've lost 2 in 5 this year.
• MatchFit USA: Speed merchants of MLS.
• Tough loss for Kansas City. I'm posting this because I have a soft spot for the Wiz. They spent a lot of preseason in Phoenix, so I got to see them quite a bit.
• Sueño finalists in LA.
• Keith Hickey: Woes in New England.

Interesting Reads

• You probably know this stuff by now, but an interesting read on Euro doings nonetheless.
• The influence of Haiti on US football.
• Dan Loney: Reflections on Mexico and the US in the Loney style.

The Business of Soccer

• BBC: More football clubs face collapse according to leaked FA paper.
• Manchester United in North America this July.
• Billy Witz: Most popular team in the US - Mexico?

World Cup

• Chris Rodrigues: South Africa's World Cup is a Disgrace.
• Team profile: Brasil.
• Via Hexagonal Blog: CONCACAF revisiting World Cup qualifiying.

Around the World

• Marseille win Ligue 1 title.
• Arrests made in Hong Kong match fixing probe.
• Ajax defeat Feyenoord to win Dutch Cup.

Club Tournaments

• US Open Cup - Tourney structure finalized.
  
• CAF Champions League(Africa) - Play resumes May 8
  
• AFC Champions League(Asia) - Play resumes May 11
  
• UEFA Champions League(Europe) - Bayern Munich v Inter Milan
  
• CONCACAF Champions League(North America) - Pachuca defeats Cruz Azul for title
  
• Copa Libertadores(South America) - Quarterfinals: Flamengo vs. Alianza, Libertad vs. Chivas, Estudiantes vs. Internacional and Cruzeiro vs. Sao Paulo
• Europa League(Europe) - final: Atletico Madrid v Fulham
  
• Nutralite Canadian Championship - Whitecaps and Impact draw, leaving TFC in good position.
  

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