While all ten matches of the round were not actually played on Boxing Day the spirit(s) will be in evidence of that you can be certain. Several clubs do face big decisions and they're not all mired in the relegation zone. Despite the season it would not be a big surprise if managerial changes happen in the midst of the flurry of games and one of them for a club among the top five.

The crunch begins in earnest and the winter window is right around the corner. Anelka has already signed with a Chinese team and Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is trying to hype the value of Fernando Torres in hopes they can find him a new home and recover a large part of the wasted investment made in him just a year ago. A reminder: that transfer was the largest fee ever paid between two English clubs and no one can argue that Torres has been a bust.

A bad night for Manchester and its two top clubs in the Champions League action made headlines around the world. Bad too for the EPL as the top of the table sides City and United were bounced out of the Champions League as both failed to make the knockout round. Man United lost their final group stage match in Switzerland to FC Basel who advance for the first time in history. Actually, Basel becomes the first club from the country to reach the knockout round of Europe's top club competition. City's loss to Napoli in Italy had set them up for this day and despite their fine effort in a 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich Napoli goes through and for them it too is the first time for the club. Both City and United will drop down and join the field in the Europa League. Both Arsenal and Chelsea move on to the final 16 as group winners.

How the mighty have fallen might be the message don't you think? We see Blackburn Rovers boss on the skids and nearly certain to lose his job. Yeah, so what? Who is Blackburn anyway you ask? Well, Rovers just happen to be the only club other than Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal to ever win the Premier League title that's who. The job of the boss at Rovers for years has been to make due with less and Kean has seen that a tall order indeed. Rovers fell to Championship side Cardiff in a Carling Cup quarter-final to add to that pressure on the boss. The win advances the Bluebirds to a semi-final berth for the first time since 1966.

With the close of play this round one-third of the season is history and several clubs are falling short of expectations. Perhaps the biggest of them is Chelsea and their young manager Andre Villas Boas. The Blues current soft vein of form has seen them slip to 5^th 12 points adrift of City and tied on 22 points with Liverpool and Arsenal. Both Tottenham and the surprise team so far Newcastle are above them in the table. This does not bode well for AVB's future with the quick strike of Roman Abramovich looking over his shoulder with a frown. Chelsea may get a bit of a break this round as they host Wolves (17th).

On a weekend usually dominated by FA Cup 1^st Round The Three Lions completed their own fairy tale with a surprise win over world champion Spain at Wembley. Shocking results are common in FA Cup action and England provided their own to add to non-league, ten man Fleetwood Town eliminating Wycombe.

While little of the MLS season has been addressed here lately a hearty congratulations goes to the Philadelphia Union. The Union were eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs by Houston after finishing third in the East in only their second season. If Peter Nowak can hold on to his key players in the off season there is more to come from this club. MLS Cup final will have Houston versus LA Galaxy.

While this round marks one-fourth of the season in the books it is noteworthy that from this point through the holiday crunch the campaign will be half in the history books. For many teams this period is where a turnaround is enhanced while for others it is a part of the season where their fortunes sag. The period also has international breaks and European and domestic cup contests also crowd the schedule. We'll soon be treated to the customary wails of discontent from manager's over match congestion.

While most fans lean on the phrase “early days” as a way to smooth over their favorite clubs wayward start in the competiton, the reality is we now see nearly one-fourth of the season in the books. In the northwest the fans are happy as the city of Manchester has dominated the proceedings so far. This week headlines one of the premier contests of the Premier League with the new season's first rendition of the big Manchester Derby. With the teams sitting 1, 2 at the top of the table the derby takes on a much different edge.

The international break offered some terrific matches in the EURO 2012 qualifiers. The focus in England was not the fitness of Rooney, but his state of mind after his dad's arrest for alleged involvement in a wagering scam. That concern proved right on target as Rooney earned a red card (73) which will have him miss matches at next summer's Euro finals. "It looked like [Capello was right to select Rooney] for most of the game - but then what Rooney did was just stupid," Harry Redknapp said in his column in the Sun.

The mid-week action in Champions League saw the top EPL clubs produce poor results with only the most under fire manager, Wenger at Arsenal, to come up winners. Both Man United and Chelsea gave away points from winning positions and had to settle for draws. City just out and out lost their test at Bayern and did it with a new grand confrontation to boot. The EPL took it on the chin with their 'best' all coming up on the short end with the exception of Arsenal. In Europa League action all three EPL clubs were winners with Tottenham 3-1 Shamrock Rovers, Odense 1-2 Fulham and Stoke 2-1 Besiktas.

After a less than thrilling opening to Champions League Group Stage play this week that saw Prem sides City, United and Arsenal have to rally for draws the weekend action in the league offers some confrontations that suggest more meaningful results are on offer. The headline match features Chelsea's visit to Old Trafford for a tussle that will be pivotal despite the early days. The Blues were the only winners from the Prem in the week's CL action with their 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen but they are sure to be tested here. Did Torres, with just one goal in 23 matches for the Blues, turn the corner with his two assists (?) will be a question on many minds. The match may offer Torres a terrific opportunity to turn the tide with United's second choice central defenders facing him. Does SAF man mark him? With the current form of Torres in mind that is not likely, or is it?

After the turmoil brought on by the closing of the transfer window and Euro 2012 Qualifying we're back to league play. A question that will be on tap for most is who strengthened their side with new additions and who missed the mark? For most we're likely to get an answer this week as many of them do battle with those deemed to be among the crowd at the top.

As hurricane Irene was bearing down on the Mid-Atlantic coast Arsene Wenger was looking ahead and hoping the storm clouds swirling around his head have passed. With the close of the transfer window a week away and a flurry of changes nearly certain Arsenal's Wenger is putting it all behind him.

Arsene Wenger must feel as if he has a big target on his back these days. Wenger has become the prime target for the frustration of Gunners fans fueled by the lack of silverware won by his club over the last several seasons. Now it seems as if the players have joined in as well. A product of the drawn out Cesc Fabregas affair perhaps?

Civil unrest in London, which started in Tottenham's neighborhood, caused Spurs opening day match to be set aside but the rest of the schedule went ahead.

The quarter-finals provided a huge shocker as Japan defeated holders Germany handing them their first loss in 16 internationals and their first ever loss to an Asian side.  Earlier a young French side squeaked past a game England on penalties.  On Sunday Sweden brushed Australia aside with minimal fuss and USA reached the final four in a thriller over Brazil winning it in penalties in Dresden.  Before it was over there would be more thrilling moments in this celebration of women's soccer.

From River Plate being relegated, the Copa America and the Women's World Cup taking center stage in Germany. Those who thought they had a break from the beautiful game this summer have to have a rethink!

Team USA used the quarter-final test with Jamaica to smooth some rough spots and quiet criticism over their substandard performances in the group stage with a solid 2-0 victory.  While they continued with the lack of quality finishing in the opening half (0-0 at the break) their possession game was much improved despite Donovan starting on the bench.  The early loss of Altidore to injury would crimp their style but the youngster Agudelo did well as his replacement.

The United States Men's national team has again shown that real progress at the international level has eluded them.  Has this team past its peak?  Conceding early goals and an alarming lack of quality in the offensive zone plagues them.  Frequent lackadaisical play from those that are deemed their best and most reliable performers has them on the brink.  The latter stages of the Gold Cup now become a stage where they have an opportunity to recover and challenge for top rating in the region.  Can they, or perphaps the most compelling question to be answered soon is will they be able to do that?  The Group Stage of the Gold Cup campaign suggests this team is on the decline and there seems to be little in the way of quality players to take center stage.  The very next match at the Gold Cup may provide an answer.

A feast of International soccer gets underway with a round of qualifiers for EURO 2012, a full slate of friendlies, Gold Cup's opening round and the send off for the Women's World Cup with the nations on their way to Germany.

Avram Grant gets his walking papers just hours after West Ham blew a two goal lead at Wigan confirming their relegation.  There is sure to be an exodus of the better players too as the club prepares another run in the Championship.  Grant is being blamed by nearly everyone including the two principal owners who gave him a hearty backing in January.

Barcelona 3-1 Man United

All credit to the world's best professional club but I can't help thinking the posture chosen by United for this match was all quite wrong before the ball was kicked.  Watching it unfold I was wondering how in the world a manager, any manager, would put himself on the defensive by leaving both his top scorer (Berbatov) and the EPL's leading assist man (Nani) out of the starting 11.  Berbatov, tied for the league lead in goals scored with Carlos Tevez, was not only not selected for the starting 11, he didn't even make the game day squad as a sub.  That decision told the opponents that United would not only concede the initiative and not challenge the possession game of Barca but they'd also cripple their own offensive efforts.  And that is precisely what happened.  That said, it is somehow not only out of form to criticise SAF for his selection you must praise him for being brave of all things.

The big match on Tuesday between City and Spurs was an affair full of irony for Tottenham and joy for City fans. Having scored only 4 league goals this season the man that put Spurs in the Champions League over City last year, Peter Crouch, scored the only goal of the match this time, but he did it for City. His instinctive reaction poked the low and strong cross from James Milner past his own keeper in the 29th minute for the match winner that put City in Champions League competition for the first time in 43 years.

After the ugliness of the first leg buildup, pre and post-match press wars, hideous statements issued by both managers, UEFA threats and so on, this round promises to be subdued with the outcome of both semi’s all but decided.  Set all of the nonsense aside it must be said the two best teams found their way to the Final on May 28 at Wembley.

Easter Monday saw the end to Reading's Royals terrific run. After building a two goal lead a stunning comeback by Sheffield United ended with a 2-3 win on Reading's home soil. Reading, now 5th, remains in the hunt for the playoffs with Forest sitting sixth, the final playoff spot.

Ocean City’s affilliate in England, the Reading Royals, have risen to 4th in the Championship and are well into the fight to earn a return to the EPL with 4 to play (72 points). Forest has currently slipped out of the top six and hovering within a few points joined by Hull City and Burnley (all on 63) and looking to join the fight for the final promotion place. The weekend will surely change this picture and the Royals faced a big challenge to hold firm at Leeds (currently 6th on 65 points) on Friday. The result was a 0-0 draw keeping the Royals unbeaten run going. Friday also saw Forest rise back into the playoff picture with a 3-2 win over Leicester City on a keeper blunder gifting them the match winner.

Kenny Dalglish announced ahead of the weekend action that both Gerrard and Daniel Agger would miss the remainer of the season. Agger, who had missed much of the season prior to this knee complaint, had been making his way back until the match at West Brom which also resulted in the loss of Glen Johnson in the opening half. Gerrard, coming off surgery has suffered a new injury during training as he was preparing for his return. Gerrard has had the sort of season he'd much rather forget as injury complaints had him missing from action frequently. He made his way back to action then an ill-advised tackle led to a red card suspension. Coming back from that he had been ineffective before the injury that led to the recent extended time out and surgery. Now this. For Gerrard, the injuries and suspension have made this campaign the least productive of his career.

Ahead of the big Champions League match at Old Trafford the question on the minds of many Chelsea fans was “What Is Roman Going To Do”? Is the answer finding yet another manager?

Man United, with their spirited and 'not to be denied determination' won the EPL title with 7 rounds still to play. While the challengers put up a brave front saying they could still win it, truth is only a total collapse by SAF's guys would make that a possibility. United battled back from a two goal deficit to claim all three points and their closest foes both failed by settling for draws extending United's lead at the top to seven points. What makes that even more compelling is that United's match kicked off the weekend action so Arsenal and Chelsea both knew what they needed to do before taking the pitch. Both failed to respond with what was required. United are champions again. The final decision is only a matter of formality and time of course.

With two rounds of qualifiers (along with England, some play only one), dozens of international friendlies fill in the activity during the break. As he is prone to do, Sir Alex strongly criticised the “friendlies” for being inconsequential and nearly worthless for a manager looking to value his players. With so many “excused” for one reason or another upsetting the ability of a national team manager to really accomplish a great deal based on a friendly it must be noted that over the years he’s frequently been at odds over the club-country controversy. Sometimes it gets downright laughable.
 

Have you wondered what goes on with teams that are highly regarded yet seem to fail to measure up to expectations season after season?

With the Champions League gateway to the quarterfinals the new MLS season also kicks off this week, in fact on the Ides of March itself. The soccer ball keeps rolling toward Spring and a new PDL campaign too. World events seem to be lining up to stop Spring but here’s a word to lift your spirits: it won’t happen.

The Charleston Battery defeated Toronto FC 2-1 on Wednesday in a fightback and DC United had a difficult time but defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 to get one hand on the trophy with their 2-0 mark. The Challenge Cup final night of action had DC United v Toronto where a win or draw would earn United the title and the Battery face Chicago. If DC should lose their match the Battery could become the first non-MLS side to win this early season tournament with a victory.

You know we're getting close to PDL action (and Spring) when the Charleston Battery holds what is known as the “Carolina Challenge Cup” and invites 3 MLS sides to the competition. This year's version has some special interest too with DC United and their new signing Charlie Davies in the mix.

Fans around the world scratch their heads in wonder over that very question. While trying to find the answer Carlo Ancelotti now finds himself having to generate success in the Champions League to save his job. When you consider how the season began this situation would have been as far out of mind as could be imagined. Out of the running in the domestic cup competitions and too far down the table because of their poor run of form in the league, the Champions League is the last chance for honors this campaign. Fernando Torres was snatched by Roman Abramovich to help them achieve just that.

This past week's focus was on European matches with Champions League and Europa League competition resuming, league matches postponed earlier were played as well as FA Cup Round 4 replays and Round 5 matches too. It really was quite a mix.

With the dramatic events of the last round, a record 43 goals scored (41 on Saturday was also a record for any single day of competition in EPL history). We also saw a club lose a four goal lead for the first time and the shocking Wolves victory over the unbeaten United being the biggest among them. The Liverpool win at Stamford Bridge wasn't far behind.

A record day of goal scoring on Saturday will be long remembered for another reason: on this day bottom side Wolves defeated the unbeaten leaders Man United. Forty-one goals scored and the last of them was the match winner in this one, which will be remembered by Wolves fans as one of the most famous in their history. Arsene Wenger will try to forget it as quickly as possible as he watched his Gunners squander a 4 goal lead and fail to take full advantage of United's loss. Surely a day to remember for fans of the EPL. And those two matches were just the begining of the “surprise results” around the league.

With the FA Cup 4th Round action over the past weekend Round 25 of the EPL gets played in the mid-week. Some of those new signings will look to make a splash for their new clubs with Dzeko looking for his first league goal for City being one of them.

Ahead of the Cup weekend Liverpool and Ajax have agreed on a fee for the move of Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez to Merseyside. Suarez has been a prolific scorer for Ajax putting 111 in the net in 159 games for the Dutch giants. Could he be the support for Torres up front The Reds have been looking for? Sure seems to add up that way doesn’t it? Apparently Torres doesn’t see it that way at all; he must see Suarez as a threat to his status at Liverpool and perhaps a personal insult or some such nonsense. Despite his recent statements of commitment to the club Torres shows how fickle these big money guys can be. He doesn’t want to be pitted against Suarez let alone partner with him apparently.

With the FA Cup front and center on the weekend ahead a look at the table and the foundation of the difference in quality of the clubs seems appropriate. Ahead of the FA Cup weekend several postponed matches will be played with Man United visiting Blackpool and Wigan hosting Aston Villa on Tuesday in what is a relegation six-pointer. Liverpool faces Fulham on Wednesday looking to keep their mini-revival on course.

Good grief, makes you wonder where this stuff comes from sometimes. What is real and what is wishful thinking or simply vaporware is why I tend to pay little attention to this stuff until it really happens. It is all very much like a house of mirrors that will drive you nuts before you find your way out if you try to keep up with it all. Over the years I have tried to read the transfer blogs, etc, but I just can't deal with all the pure speculation or just plain nonsense. Some of it does attract interest for one reason or another however.

In an FA Cup match played on Monday evening non-league Crawley Town defeated Derby County 2-1 to earn their place in Round 4 where they will face Torquay.

Speaking of the FA Cup, the draw for Round 4 produced these matchups ...

With the closeness of the race in the EPL at both the top and the bottom, the collapse of Chelsea from the table toppers to a frustrated bunch that can't score, the FA Cup 3rd Round offers an opportunity to take a breath and get their feet back on solid ground. Or does it?

Some very interesting rumours abound with the opening of the transfer window. Is Beckham really headed to Tottenham? With Harry speaking out publicly you'd think that one is real. But many fans will wonder why with Spurs midfield already crowded with much younger talent. A hint: what Spurs need more than a David Beckham is more depth in the backline. With multiple players unfit much of the time (King, Woodgate are the biggest burden and others battling injuries) you would think Harry would really be shopping for defenders that are at least fit enough to play.

While the EPL never seems to miss the opportunity to surprise this season has been a monumental harvest in that regard and none are bigger than Chelsea's soaring start and every bit as surprising fall.

Manchester City has set the standard in matches away from home this season with a 6-2-2 record, winning 20 of 30 points and a mark of plus ten goal difference. Inexplicably goal difference at Eastlands is only +2 and the worst record among the top 7 clubs in the table (4-3-2) in home games. City have scored only 9 goals in the 9 home games while scoring over twice that many on the road (19). City simply must do better at home or their dream of a Champions League place will turn into a mission to earn a Europa League finishing position.

Here we go guys! EPL clubs will be playing 4 games in 10 days starting with Boxing Day and you can expect that the look of the table will change a good deal before the crunch is over. This is the time when some clubs typically excel (Man United for one) and others have built a tradition of sagging (Liverpool). Boxing Day not only marks the halfway point of the season, it kicks off this crunch as well. When it ends we'll be three games into the second half of the season.

The draw for the next round of both the Champions League and Europa League was held on Friday. Man United faces Marseille; Tottenham gets Serie A leaders AC Milan; Chelsea to face FC Copenhagen and Arsenal goes up against Barcelona again. The first match of these knockout round fixtures to be played on February 15 and the return match one week later.

Newcastle, sitting 12th in the table just short of halfway have sacked their manager Chris Hughton who had done a terrific job getting them back in the Prem and sitting mid table. Looks like the crazed nutburgers are back on Tyneside.

The Carling Cup Quarterfinals got underway on Tuesday and West Ham blitzed holders Man United 4-0 in swirling snow in London. American Jonathan Spector notched a sweet brace (22 & 37) to start the rout and Carlton Cole hit a brace of his own in the second half that likely saved Avram Grant's job.

Many managers want to say it's still “early days” but is it really? For more than a handful of them the answer is clearly NO. Who?

Yeah, sorry to say I've missed several rounds. A medical issue had me hospitalized and a slow recovery at home has kept me on the sidelines so to speak. That said, I'm regaining strength and getting back on track.

Also, I've been trying to come up with a different focus for the column and now is a good a time as any to give it a go: the idea is to comment on a few more meaningful games or issues versus just a rundown of every game. We'll see how it goes.

Tuesday's Champions League action had Chelsea in Moscow to face Spartak and the Blues first half goals from Yuri Zirkov and Anelka were all they needed and all they would get despite a dominant performance.

With the EPL idle for the break Euro 2012 qualifiers and international friendlies take center stage in the soccer world. Along with that the focus of millions of fans around the world is on the ongoing turmoil swirling around one of the world's biggest clubs, Liverpool FC.

It wasn't just the Champions League that took the stage in the mid-week as there was a full slate of games in the Coca Cola Championship as well. Leaders QPR were held to a scoreless draw by Millwall while Preston took the lead over Leeds at Ellen Road in what became an amazing game. Leeds responded in style and ran out to a 4-1 lead and settled back for what looked like a sure win on their home ground. Except no one told Preston as they rallied for an incredible and unlikely 6-4 victory. In another CC match of interest for Ocean City fans Reading got a late winner from Simon Church (88) to defeat Roy Keane's Ipswich Town. The win moved the Royals to 6th ahead of the weekend match at Preston North End where they battled to a 1-1 draw and slipped to 7th as a result.

Carling Cup action took center stage in the mid-week and the headline match on Tuesday was a North London Derby where Arsenal prevailed in extra time for a 4-1 victory at White Hart Lane. Two from the spot by Nasri and Arshavin's finish were the margin as both managers fielded stronger sides than is usually the case in this competition.

Man United hosted Rangers on Tuesday in Champions League action at Old Trafford for another celebrated “Battle of Britain” that produced a snoozer of a match that ended in a scoreless draw. SAF is taking hits for his selection (10 changes from the side that faced Everton last weekend) and the result was no battle at all. Rangers played a disciplined bunker and United's 2nd or 3rd choice 11 could only manage an occasional shot from distance that more often than not was off target. The most significant piece of play left Antonio Valencia with a serious ankle injury that may have him miss the remainder of the season for the Red Devils.

During the International break England opened the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with two solid victories. Steven Gerrard said of the second of them “we tore Switzerland apart” but did they really? Rooney's early goal, his first in a year for the national team, set aside all the focus on other aspects of his life but the reality is that England couldn't put the game away until the Swiss went down a man in the 65th. Then Adam Johnson (on as a sub for the injured Theo Walcott) produced their second (69) and Darren Bent got his first for England (89) to settle the issue after the ten man Swiss made it 2-1 from Lichsteiner (71). To Gerrard they tore them apart, but reality says otherwise. The match wasn't decided until they had the man advantage and even at that the Swiss were in it until the death.

With all the doom and gloom about Liverpool after their worst loss at City for 50 plus years are they, or were they really that bad? Probably not actually. It was City's best display in years for sure but Liverpool really weren't the fodder that you'd think from the scoreline or what has been written about it either.

Of the current EPL clubs which has the longest association with the venue on which they play their home matches? This is not a trick question, but there is a surprising twist and that 'twist' provides part of the story of a rivalry that runs deep, very deep. See the bottom of the page for the answer.

Does it seem as if the season never ends?  Imagine if you were a player.  In years of the World Cup or Euro tournaments it really doesn't seem to end at all.  But surely, this one has been very different hasn't it?  With few teams shopping in the transfer market and new rules regarding the size of a roster and so forth there has been a big change for certain.  The result is that the teams expected to challenge for the top honor are very much like the teams that ended the previous season in May.  Don't let that fool you as it is quite likely that a flurry of transfers before the end of the month could change the fortunes of some of them.

While I usually do not pay much attention to all the transfer hype ahead of the season this year has been a bit different.  Did you feel like a child’s yo-yo following the media announcements regarding Martin Jol and the manager job at Fulham?  I did and I felt stupid for paying attention even if it was announced as a done deal at ESPNsoccernet.  Or how about the campaign of Barca’s players and fans trying to pry Cesc from Arsenal?  Is a contract really a contract anymore?

The first World Cup ever held in Africa comes to a conclusion this weekend.  A successful one to be sure and we're all looking forward to an epic final.  It will mark the first time a European nation will be crowned world champion in a World Cup held off that continent.  The team that wins it will also be a first timer and for Spain it also marks their very first appearance in a world cup final.  There is more to the story here too that promises to be a positive for the future of the game.

Paul O'Donnell's recap and analysis of the 2010 World Cup semifinals.

Marking the first time in World Cup history, the two finalists from the previous cup failed to advance from the group stage in the next World Cup, Italy joins France in making the trip home. For Italy, it is even more surprising: the first time in 8 World Cups where they did not advance to the round of 16.

The big news of the day came with South Africa’s 2-1 victory over 10 man France who had Gourcuff sent off in the 25th.  Big for two reasons actually: first, France completed their collapse but they did manage to score a goal (Malouda, 70), their first of the tournament; secondly,  South Africa becomes the first host country to fail to advance out of the group stage.  With Mexico’s loss and their 2 goal lead RSA did have a slim chance, if they could score 3 more while shutting out France they would have gone on in the tournament.  That clearly didn’t happen but credit to RSA and their players for their victory over the last World Cup runnerup.

With the turmoil still roiling over the denial of what would have been the match winning goal to USA FIFA is said to be considering curtailing any role for the referee responsible for that ruling in the remainder of the finals.  We’re supposed to say oh, that’ll fix it all right.

Paul O’Donnell recaps the seventh and the very dramatic eighth day of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

These two neighbors, Netherlands-Denmark, so familiar with one another yet they had never met in a World Cup match before today.  Netherlands (my pick to win it if Brazil does not) have been great in internationals of late yet have not won the glory.  Their history is almost, but no cigar.  In qualifying they were the very best in the run up to Euro 2008 with a 100% record and conceding the fewest goals.  They did it again in the EUFA zone qualifying for this World Cup with another 100% record, scoring 17 goals while conceding only 2 putting them firmly among the favorites yet again.

As the tempo was building to the World Cup opener on Friday some of the news around the soccer world got buried in the fuss.  While many Liverpool fans interest was divided by the new manager hunt Chelsea announced the loss of both Joe Cole and Ballack.  Both are out of contract on July 1 and failed to agree on their wage demands.  Rafa appears to have secured the job at Inter Milan.

On the World Cup, security was questioned as a result of crowd actions for a friendly with FIFA’s leadership pointing fingers elsewhere of course.  FIFA never takes responsibility for anything of course.

As Ocean City readies themselves for an early summer trip to Bermuda to face the Hogges on Friday and Sunday the soccer world focus is on South Africa. Most of the nations have gathered and are busy with finalizing their preparations.

Back in England Avram Grant has been confirmed as manager at West Ham but the turmoil he faces there may make him think he's still in Portsmouth. The Hammers face the loss of their premier striker, Carolton Cole and others which will make his job of saving West Ham all the more difficult.

As the tempo builds during this last few weeks leading to South Africa Team USA was looking forward to international friendlies against the Czech Republic on Tuesday and Turkey in Philadelphia (Saturday).  Two opponents that were sure to stretch the Yanks and focus their minds on the task before them.

Fans of the EPL hear this factor discussed frequently and yet its source is often quite different for a particular makeup of players. Some of those top class players seem to secrete it in buckets and it spreads among their mates making the entire collection, the team, more effective day-to-day. Many would say this factor often makes a team better than the sum of its parts and it often comes from those that inspire their mates with their skill. Others infect their mates by their on field performance and energy and what is frequently referred to as a “never say die attitude.”

The opening of the PDL season is here and we’ll know in just a few weeks if Ocean City will again be involved in the US Open Cup. After last season’s success and the first ever match with an MLS side (DC United) we can all hope to see them in the tournament again. For the hundreds of fans that were there in suburban DC for that match most of them will never believe we didn’t score to tie the game at 1 just ahead of stoppage time. We came that close. The first four games of the PDL season double as Open Cup qualifiers so we’ll have the answer to that shortly as the adventure began on Saturday night with a match against the Piranhas who lost at last season’s regular season champs (Reading) in their opener.

Ahead of the weekend, the two mid-week games on Wednesday promised to be truly significant for all the clubs involved. Tops on the interest list was the big confrontation for the final Champions League finishing place; the battle for fourth with Spurs visiting Eastlands. A tense battle in West London had Fulham hosting Stoke City.

The warning signs were clear from the opening bell of the season as Liverpool lost at Spurs, recovered with a demolition of Stoke, then lost badly at home to Aston Villa. That match, only the third of the season marked some turning points and massive warning bells should have gone off then and there. That loss and the way it happened signalled that SAF’s dismissal of Liverpool as a potential challenger for the title was right on the mark. After only three games Liverpool had lost as many (2) as they had in the entire previous season, their best ever since the inception of the EPL, finishing second with 86 points. They also led the league in goals scored, were unbeaten at home and won the most points on the road, yet they ended up second. For more on how that happened, read on.

Reading's Royals closed the season hosting Preston North End. The 2009/10 campaign has been a wild and crazy ride for both clubs with the Royals amazing run from the relegation zone to the top half of the table (11th) a real highlight. Reading's success in the FA Cup fueled their turnaround and they would surely like to end the campaign with another victory. The Royals did just that with a thumping 4-1 win over Preston to finish the season in spectacular fashion. The victory raises them to 9th in the table.

Reading traveled to Scunthorpe on Tuesday and built themselves a 2-0 lead. Scunthorpe rallied in the final ten minutes for two of their own and a 2-2 draw. The tying goal came very late on a cruel deflection that wrong-footed Federici. One of the rare times in their recent run that the Royals have dropped points from a leading position. The draw assures Scunthorpe will avoid relegation.

Reading hosted Newcastle Tuesday hoping they were still recovering from the celebration over their securing promotion back to the EPL. Well, they're still celebrating and two goals in the opening half by Kevin Nolan (20 & 42) kept the party going for the Magpies. The Royals pressure resulted in a spectacular OG in the 72nd as they battled to get back in it but they would get no closer in the 1-2 loss.

Check it out Philadelphia area soccer fans the expansion Philadelphia Union won their first ever match in MLS in their first home game 3-2 over DC United. Sebastian Le Toux notched a hat-trick scoring with his head early on, then slotting home on a beautiful counter and pass from Alejandro Moreno, then on a free kick for the match winner after United rebounded to knot the score at 2 in the second half. Le Toux, a standout for years in the USL at Montreal Impact spent last year with Seattle in their first season in MLS had a memorable game for the Union with over 34,000 fans, including the Vice President, on hand to cheer him on.

Reading took their in form side to face Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town on Saturday and in a hotly contested opening half saw Mathew Mills dismissed (30) for violent conduct. The ten man Royals fell behind 2-0 to a Gareth McAuley header (41) followed in stoppage time by another from Jonathan Walters. That young man again Sigurdsson got a consolation for Reading in second half stoppage time to set the final scoreline 2-1 for Ipswich. The Royals do have 2 games in hand versus their competition which offers them a good opportunity to improve their position in the table (currently 12th).

Reading faced a stiff test with a visit to 4th placed Leicester City on Wednesday in hopes of continuing their brilliant run that has seen them win 9 of their last 11. A fortunate stoppage time penalty converted by their Icelandic teen star Sigurdsson provided the margin of victory in a hotly contested 1-2 win. The Royals opener came via Jimmy Kebe, his 7th goal in the run that has carried them from the relegation zone to 11th in the table.

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While everyone was focused on the big match at The Bridge on Tuesday Reading FC won again with a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers. Yet another goal from their Icelandic teenager, Sigurdsson (85), this one from the spot, was the margin of victory for the Royals. Reading, now 14th in the table, also has two games in hand and maximum points there could see them rise to challenge for a playoff position.