Child trafficking LINKS

Getting the right to young soccer prodigies is a science for top clubs. Apparently some don't like the way Arsene Wenger goes about the business.

Some have gone so far as to compare it to "child trafficking" and "kidnapping."

A bit extreme I think. Just a little.

Now the links:

• What is up with Sacha K.? [SBI]
  
• An autobiography from prison. [The Spoiler]
  
• Rafa Marquez is gonna be out for a while. [Goff]
  
• Soccer reporter stalkers. [Sports By Brooks]
  
• Brian Ching's top XI. [Goal!]
  
• Should refs be fulltimers? [EPL Talk]
  
• 800 games is a lot Mr. Giggs. [FourFourTwo]
  
• Dallas gets RSL prospect. [MLS Rumors]
  
• Gerrard is coming back. [BBC]
  
• Worst ref ever. [The Offside]
  
• Beckham-designed clothes are out. [SportsCracklePop]
  
• Italian dude caught with cocaine. [Yahoo!]
• Klinsmann bashing. [ESPN]
  
• AC Milan has Ancelotti backup plan. [Reuters]
  
• MLS newcomer rankings. [Center Holds It]
  
• Almunia to get England call up? [Daily Mail]

VIDEO: Newcastle FC fan cries

He just misses Alan Shearer so damn much. He can't hold it in.

World Confed. Cup tix are out

Whoooooooo!!!!!

Massimo Oddo sting operation?

Great story spot over at Dirty Tackle. Turns out Bayern Munich and Italian national team defender Massimo Oddo lives a life more dramatic than mine.

Some dirty cops apparently blackmailed Oddo with compromising photos with a woman-friend.

When the player agreed to a pay-off, we entered the climax of this blockbuster movie.

A drop for the extortion money was set for a cathedral in Milan (a nice touch — playing up the religious angle in a adulterous extortion attempt), where Oddo arranged for a sting operation involving 40 undercover police officers, who arrested the blackmailers.

Word is organized crime dudes could be behind it all.

Certainly not the every day story. How much of it is true? I dunno.

Good story though.

Leo Messi gallery

More good stuff from the Guardian contributors.

I figured you readers might enjoy this one most.

VIDEO: Old Cantona footage

This is great stuff. I hope Rob P. is able to find more of these over at Off the Post.

Could make for a great recurring feature.

Swine flu and soccer

Certainly the former has greatly affected the latter.

Tournament galore have been canceled in Mexico. Also, games down there are being played in empty stadiums.

If only they had been wearing baseball jackets... Damn swine...

Check out some other stuff

A couple guys came to me with questions, insight and advice. I liked the work, so I'm referring you to them.

First off, the guys over at FC Earth have a cool project going on. You buy some t-shirts and they donate $5 from every t-shirt purchase to providing soccer balls and instructional DVDs to school's P.E. departments.

Worth checking out.

Over at Match Fit USA, Jason D. has come up with a great idea. Having the league come together in support of keeping D.C. United in Washington.

So why not make May 9th "Keep United in DC" Day across the league?

Sounds good to me.

Head tackle

Nemanja Vidic certainly has a unique defending strategy.

He's been on form this season, so I won't say anything.

Just that he's damn crazy. Or looks the part.

VIDEO: Coach slaps own player

I want to see this more often. Coaches slapping stupid players.

We'd see a much cleaner product if players feared a good slap.

Though we'd have less blog material.

Unless I embedded every video of coaches slapping players.

Which could work, for a while at least.

Dr. Blanco?

Great find by Kenn.com.

MLS. Bribing refs. Doctor.

Certainly a busy bee.

UEFA Cup semifinal predictions

Werder Bremen v. Hamburg SV -- Of course with this competition we have two German sides battling it out for a trip to the championship,

I think Hamburg will eventually advance, considering Bremen is a mediocre side and 10th in the Bundesliga, so getting a couple away goals in a good start. DFB-Pokal result last week, be damned.

Mario Gomez leads the way (Bundesliga authority I am not). Call it a 2-2 draw.

Dynamo Kiev v. Shakhtar Donetsk -- Here we have the all-Ukrainian matchup. While Dynamo Kiev boasts a huge advantage in league competition, Shakhtar has always been a better club team.

I don't know much about this one. Call it a 2-1 win for Dynamo.

United 1, Arsenal 0

United fan: Eh, I'm a little disappointed, but it'll do.

Arsenal fan: Eh, I'm a little disappointed, but it'll do.

That's pretty much what I heard from both sides after the game. And while Cristiano Ronaldo had a brilliant shot hit the crossbar, I can only remember him getting megged and humiliated on the GIF to the right.

(I could watch that forever)

Surely it wasn't the most exciting game we've seen in a while. Those damn 4-4 games have spoiled us all.

Certainly, like Tuesday's semifinal between Barcelona and Chelsea, it's all there to be played for the in the second leg.

Until then...

VIDEO: John O'Shea? Really?

Two Champions League games in two days. All the best goal-scorers in the world on the pitch.

Messi. Ronaldo. Drogba. Rooney. Eto'o.

In 180 minutes, no goals for them.

Only this O'Shea character.

Unbelievable.

Thanks to 101GG for the video.

Free!

Carlos Vela, Arsenal's Mexican star, is no longer quarantined and can return to the club.

Poor guy.

The team wanted nothing to do with him amid the swine flu scare.

VIDEO: Showboattin' it

These guys are good. Still not the flashiest one of the bunch.

The highlights toward the end are the bestest.

MLS all-stars v. Timmy!

I think we have heard about this one before. Maybe from Goff.

But I think a number of teams were rumored about.

This one's official. I mean league website official.

I hope Kasey Keller's in goal for the MLS team -- battle of the country's best...

MLS conspiracy!

One Cuauhtemoc Blanco and MLS referee Jair Marrufo could be in trouble.

They got caught smoozing after a game. A game where Chicago benefited from a questionable red card to come back at tie Columbus.

Multiple witnesses reported seeing Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco broach the entrance to the referees' locker room following the game with a Fire jersey in his hand. He reportedly tossed the jersey into the room occupied by Jair Marrufo and his assistant referees.

Here's a little gift for the kids.

Wink. Wink.

The Crew is appealing the automatic fine and one-game suspension of Padula, citing inconsistencies in Marrufo's calls and his alleged acceptance of Blanco's gift. It filed a report with MLS that cited the pregame, halftime and postgame incidents involving Marrufo and Blanco.

Players often give away their jerseys after games to fans and opposing players. but Ohio state referee administrator Ken Baldoesingh said "all referees know they are not supposed to accept gifts from anyone."

Wow.

Nothing like a good conspiracy.

Speaking of Real Salt Lake...

Who knew Dan Patrick was a fan?

Clearly Jay Glazer isn't.

MLS rankings: week 6

It's that time again.

Quite a bit of shakeup. Certainly New England (6-0 losers at Real Salt Lake) and Toronto FC (two wins despite losing a coach and sucking beforehand) played to a different tune.

There were also some wild comeback and blown leads.

I'm a little pressed for time today, so I won't have comments with the teams. Just new rankings and MLS Final Kick at the bottom.

1. (1) Chivas USA 5-1-1
2. (2) Chicago Fire 2-0-4
3. (4) Seattle Sounders FC 4-2-0
4. (7) Real Salt Lake 3-2-0
5. (8) D.C. United 2-1-3
6. (14) Toronto FC 3-2-2
7. (3) New England Revolution 2-1-2
8. (5) Kansas City Wiz 3-3-1
9. (6) Colorado Rapids 2-2-2
10. (9) Houston Dynamo 1-2-2
11. (12) Columbus Crew 0-2-4
12. (10) San Jose 'Quakes 1-3-2
13. (11) N.Y. Red Bulls 1-4-2
14. (15) L.A. Galaxy 0-1-4
15. (13) F.C. Dallas 1-4-1

VIDEO: Japan soccer rules

Just another in the anti-Australia viral ads. Gotta love 'em.

Adriano: I'd play for Flamengo

Dude, we thought you were going away.

Now not long after his agent denies a Flamengo link, the Brazilian star contradicts him:

The Globo Esporte Web site says Adriano has a "desire to play'' for Brazil's most popular club.

Adriano said on Tuesday "if I am to play again, it will be for Flamengo.''

Crazyface.

Champions League prediction

My accuracy rate on these things is like 2%, I'm not even sure why I make predictions.

United is 4-0-1 in its last five games and has appeared to shaken off that bit o' rust and Liverpool.

On the flip side, Champions League glory is all the Gunners have to play for. In the end, I see a 2-1 Red Devils win.

37' -- Rooney (Carrick)
78' -- Abedayor (Walcott)
85' -- Rooney (Ronaldo)

Bayern Munich wants Guus Hiddink

Makes sense.

He's winning.

Chelsea doesn't want him.

Bayern doesn't have a coach.

He's winning.

He's good.

He's the only guy names Guus I know.

That's at least five good reasons.

VIDEO: Best Fanzone moments

I'm loving No. 3 and No. 1.

Funny stuff.

Boring.........

0-0???????

REALLY?!?!?!

That collection of the best attacking talent in the world can't score one damn goal??????

Ugh...

VIDEO: Ladies fanzone

The Gooners fan kinda reminds me of this lady blogger/soccer stud...

Thanks to SSR for the find, go check it out for the other video.

Bizarro LINKS

Still got nothing. Just crazy pictures. I need to call it a day.

Here are the links:

• Owen, Shevchenko fly helicopters. [101GG]
  
• New TFC coach? [Toronto Sun]
  
• Rafa says Reds are sellers, then buyers. [Guardian]
  
• Daily Mail full of liars? [Dirty Tackle]
  
• Zlatan to Manchester City? [Eurosport]
  
• Chelsea stars enjoy WWE wrestling. [ONTD]

VIDEO: CR7 freestyle battle

Saw this over at Dirty Tackle. Dudes gots skills.

Awesome soccer sculpture

Slow news day.

This is all I got.

Adriano's agent refutes link to Flamengo

The unemployed Adriano was seen watching a Flamengo game in Brazil. Rumors of a future with the club flew around like crazy.

Thankfully his agent put those to rest.

"I haven't spoken to any club," the player's representative clarified to Globoesporte.

"I have not been negotiating [on his behalf] and it is better this way. Adriano should stay calm. Now he is carefree, just like he wanted. We expect things to happen naturally."

I'm waiting for him to book a worldwide tour with Lenny Kravitz or something.

This guy is entering the Mike Tyson-zone of craziness (hat tip to the B.S. report). Nonetheless the story says Inter coach Jose Mourinho would still invite the Brazilian to celebrate parties.

The race for Samuel Eto'o

With only one year left on his contract with Barcelona, the EPL vultures are starting to circle.

Man City.

Tottenham.

Chelsea.

He's a big-time player that deserves a big-time club. Nothing but the top of the Premiership will do.

VIDEO: The good, the bad, the OMG

1. Whatta goal (GOOD)


2. Worst PK ever (BAD)


3. Crazy skills (OMG)

United just can't quit Benzema

Word is the Red Devils are back in the hunt for French prodigy and Lyon star Karim Benzema.

They've been priced out in all other attempts, but the youngster has admitted he wants to play at the highest level.

We'll see.

Keeper, ball boy sent off

Ball boys have been getting abused recently.

A while back there was a video of a field player chucking the ball at the ball boy's back. Now we've found it again.

Gimnasia-Jujuy goalkeeper Gaston Pezzutti was the culprit in a match against River Plate. Apparently the ball boy was taking to long to give the Pezzutti the ball for a goal kick.

After finally collecting the ball, a furious Pezzutti throw it back at the youth and was sent off. The ball boy was also ordered dismissed.

Of course, 101 Great Goals has the video. It's exactly what you would think.

Soccer players can be quite stupid sometimes. Getting carded, suspended and maybe fined over a ball boy...? Come on.

AC Milan = Beyonce?

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor heard AC Milan had interest in him.

The reaction was priceless:

He told ESPN: "I am happy playing for this club and to be honest I am happy AC Milan, one of the legendary clubs in the world, were looking at me.

"For me that must be something special. It is like a boy being told Beyonce is looking for them.

Dude, if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it...

VIDEO: Bizarre goalkeeping training

Don't let the balls hit the coach's car!

Love it. Great viral video.

Jozy OK for qualifiers?

A story came out yesterday that said he could be available for some upcoming World Cup qualifiers in the summer.

I'd rather not have him for a couple games to make sure he's healthy.

This kid can take us places.

Champions League prediction

What a fun one we got coming up later today.

Barcelona v. Chelsea at Nou Camp

What's ever better, some fighting words came out in the Monday press conferences. My favorite was Xavi saying La Liga is better than the Premiership. Strong words my Spanish friend.

Oh, in other news. It's looking like the Blues will play Jose Bosingwa over on the left side to try to stop Messi. That actually makes the most sense. But the Chelsea defense will be in for a long day anyways.

I'm calling this one 3-1 for Barcelona.

23' -- Eto'o (Xavi)
41' -- Messi (Iniesta)
59' -- Lampard (Malouda)
83' -- Eto'o (Alves)

You hear that Alan...?

It's the sound of relegation.

It's getter louder, isn't it...?

VIDEO: Who's the dumber keeper?

1. Poor clearance boy


2. Overconfident fool

Swine flu LINKS

Turns out that epidemic in Mexico has canceled the rest of the U-17 championships. It's a shame because the young American were doing so well.

Oh well. It's best that they stay healthy.

Now the links:

• Arsene Wenger rejects Bayern Munich. [Daily Mail]
  
• Update with a famous Sounders FC fan. [Seattle Offside]
  
• Lampard vs. the DJ. [Independent]
  
• Hilarious ESPN match commentary. [Unprofessional Foul]
  
• Scolari to Angola? [Setanta]
  
• Sounders FC and cheerleaders? [Seattle Times]
  
• Diego to Juventus? [Soccer365]
  
• Lowel level match fixing. [BBC]
  
• John Terry hates West Ham fans. [Telegraph]
  
• A band gets a red card. [Dirty Tackle]
  
• Defoe bro dies from attack. [Guardian]
  
• Liverpool take-over update. [ESPN]

VIDEO: WTF videos

1. Paying off the ref?


2. A playful kick to the groin?


3. Heads!

Nemanja Vidic gallery

The Guardian folk went at it with the Manchester United defender, whose having a breakout year.

Swine flu? Ethnic violence?

What the hell is going on out there.

Word is Mexico is being taken over by swine flu. No one went to any games this weekend because of it.

“Yes, it affects us, but … it is more important to prevent the spread of the disease,” Mario Trejo, athletic director for the Pumas football club, told Mexico’s Milenio TV on Saturday.

But swine flu -- which sounds more ridiculous the more I say it -- wasn't the only thing keeping people from watching soccer games.

A New South Wales Premier League match between Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Sydney United was played in a near-empty stadium due to prevent fan violence between Serbian and Croatians.

Crazy.

Nuns support Bayern Munich

Big day for the German club. Futbolita made it bigger with this great picture find.

VIDEO: Torres defies GPS

Just look at how he plays soccer.

Clearly not a good listener. Not a good teammate.

Cheryl Cole -- hottest in the world?

FHM thinks so. Oh and word is she's going solo.

Euro update

English soccer rules these days, and a lot of my coverage goes to the Premiership. Here's my attempt to even out some coverage.

Notice there wasn't an EPL update today, because -- well, to put it simply -- there was no news.

There was news in the Bundesliga, to go along with Klinsmann getting canned. League leader Wolfsburg lost and the title race is getting quite interesting. Probably the best end to the season of all the big European leagues.

In Spain, Raul looked to be in vintage form for Real Madrid netting a hat trick and putting some pressure on Liga leader Barca. The Catalan kings were held to a 2-2 draw with Valencia.

Over in Italy, Serie A bosses Inter Milan fell 1-0 to Napoli. AC Milan took advantage and cut into the points lead, but Jose Mourinho and Co. still lead by seven points.

Don Garber v. NY Yankees

You catch the little spat between MLS commish Don Garber and New York Yankees prez Randy Levine?

Garber started it off by poking fun at the empty seats at the new Yankee Stadium. Levine did him one better:

"Don Garber discussing Yankee attendance must be a joke," Levine said yesterday. "We draw more people in a year than his entire league does in a year. If he ever gets Major League Soccer into the same time zone as the Yankees, we might take him seriously.

"Hey Don, worry about Beckham, not the Yankees. Even he wants out of your league," he said.

Garber kind of backtracked after that, clearly affected by the verbal punch to the gut.

Have to score that a split decision for the baseball team -- as much as it hurts to admit that.

VIDEO: What goals!

Which do you like more?

1. Ronaldo turning back the clock


2. Slide tackle turned brilliance

PFA player of the year: GIGGS???

Wow. This cute, sentimental pick certainly has me confused.

In a Manchester United pick-up game old man Ryan Giggs would be like the 10th guy taken. Hell, he's only started 12 games this season.

Bah.

Aston Villa forward Ashley Young was named young player of the year.

Here's the Rooney-less team of the year: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

MLS roundup: week 6

Kinda bizarre news out of Toronto, where coach John Carver (right) mysteriously resigned for personal reasons.

The craziness didn't affect the team it seemed, which racked up a couple wins after dwindling near the bottom of the standings after five weeks.

All of a sudden TFC is the top team in the Eastern Conference!

Now the roundup.

RESULTS

N.Y. Red Bulls 2-3 D.C. United (A: 10,303)
Toronto FC 1-0 Kansas City Wizards (A: 20,056)
Columbus Crew 2-2 Chicago Fire (A: 16,628)
Real Salt Lake 6-0 New England Revolution (A: 14,051)
Colorado Rapids 1-1 Los Angeles Galaxy (A: 12,180)
Chivas USA 2-0 FC Dallas (A: 14,611)
Seattle Sounders FC 2-0 San Jose 'Quakes (A: 28,838)
Kansas City Wizards 1-0 N.Y. Red Bulls (A: 10,385)
Toronto FC 1-0 Chivas USA (A: 19,915)

THOUGHTS

• Really crazy week. D.C. had a crazy comeback win on Sunday after Chicago's remarkable effort Saturday.
  
• Holy beatdown Real Salt Lake. Mathis' strike was a beauty.
  
• Chivas USA lost at BMO but is still king.
  
• A two-loss week for New York, not good.
• Pretty decent attendance numbers this week.
  
• Welcome back to the win column Seattle. BTW, Keller rules!
  
• Still no wins for Columbus or Los Angeles.
  
• Can't say this enough: 6-0? Really New England?
• Brian McBride is awesome, leads the Golden Boot standings.
  
• And all those goals were in the second half?
  
• Parity rules.

Goodbye Klinsmann

We knew it was coming. It was only a matter of when.

With so much talent, Bayern Munich has certainly underachieved this season. The loss to Barcelona in the Champions League was embarrassing but forgivable.

Being third in the Bundesliga behind Wolfsburg and Hertha Berlin was the kicker.

Both parties will end up fine. Klinsmann will surely get another gig and Bayern will be on top with a new coach next season.

VIDEO: Special1 TV

Squeaky bum time?

Zakuani = BOSS

Everybody check out this freakin' awesome story by my boy John B. on Sounder FC top pick Steve Zakuani.

I should've added it to the link dump, so I did one better...

Off day

I'm out chasing balloons, Fergie style, for the day.

Here's the stuff I woulda touched on or linked to. Have a great weekend!

• An entertaining Kasey Keller story. [The Seattle Times]
  
• Short list of U.S. World Cup stadiums. [Yahoo!]
  
• Fastest red card in MLS history downs N.Y. [Goal.com]
  
• Crazy Toronto FC fans are at it again. [The Star]
  
• Mounrinho calls coaching in England "paradise." [Setanta]
  
• Team England against bowel cancer. [The Original Winger]
  
• Jozy's latest blog on twitters and toenails. [Goal!]
  
• A Palermo dude tests positive for cocaine. [ESPN]
  
• U.S. u-17s advance to World Cup. [US Soccer]
  
• Pepe is ashamed and ponders future. [Guardian]
  
• Team plane hits flock of storks. [The Offside]
  
• MLS v. Everton in all-star game? [Goff]
  
• Arsenal without RVP in UCL semi first leg. [Daily Mail]
  
• Holy underwear dudes. [Kickette]
  
• Top 5 phone aps for soccer fans. [EPL Talk]
  
• Will Liverpool go after Tevez? [Times Online]
  
• MLS to increase int'l slots? [MLS Rumors]
  
• Inter denied Copa Italia berth. [FourFourTwo]
  
• MLS gets $10 million for Beckham consolation. [BBC]
  
• Some super skill embed below. [101GG]

600 LINKS

Mr. Paul Scholes put in his 600th game for Manchester United the other day. Quite impressive.

Carlos Tevez might not get to 60 as the Argentine all but said he's done at Old Trafford.

On to the links:

• Nice socks Rafa. [Off the Post]
  
• Celtic considering EPL switch. [ESPN]
  
• What the EPL wants to copyright. [The Offside]
  
• Arshavin says more is coming. [FourFourTwo]
  
• A soccer movie recommendation. [SSE]
  
• Vancouver and EA Sports? [Canada.com]
  
• Quote and chants o' the week. [SSN]
  
• Inter and Adriano to be done soon. [SI]
  
• DC beat Dallas in U.S. Open Cup. [Goff]
  
• Firefox and soccer fans. [MLS Rumors]
  
• Pepe faces suspension. [Yahoo!]
  
• MLS newcomer rankings. [Center Holds It]
  
• A ladies XI. [Goal!]

"I Kissed a Girl" -- BILB style

Forgive me. Ran out of videos.

That's a shiny jersey

Unprofessional Foul has done it again and found a fantastically horrible jersey.

Check out the link for a better view of the design. It get worse (bizarre crop-circle-like patterns).

Man United hiking up prices?

The Red Devils ownership isn't being nice to its fans.

Hiking up prices for season tickets amid a global recession surely won't make people happy -- especially since the club is making massive profits.

Though you can't blame the business decision. It does make sense.

“We are still turning away over 5,000 people per game on average and we believe it represents good value for money.”

Warning though: the New York Yankees tried to milk its huge fan base for as much as they could and now the stadium is half empty most of the time.

Gerrard not super comfortable

Not the best on-camera pose.

Tight shiny pants.

Playing footsie with both co-hosts.

Stick to the pitch, eh Stevie?

VIDEO: Another hooligan film?

Looks quite a bit like the other English-made firm flicks (e.g. Football Factory).

Roy Keane has a new job?

Word is he's taking over at Ipswich after the Championship side cleaned house. It's not just an interim gig, but a two-year commitment.

"I truly believe I am joining a club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side," said Keane.

The team is 12 points out of the promotion playoffs. But we'll see how the side does with a former EPL manager.

More Juve fan troubles?

Word is the Juventus fans continue to berate young Mario Balotelli -- even though they weren't playing against him!

This after four days on getting international coverage of racist chants to the Black Italian.

Sections of crowd at Turin's Stadio Olimpico briefly chanted "Balotelli son of a .." in Wednesday's Italian Cup semi-final second leg against Lazio, the ANSA news agency said.

Obviously this time is doesn't have a racist undertone, but it's still ridiculous.

To be fair not all the fans are bigots -- you would hope so though. One banner from the home fans expressed support for the league's black players of past and present: "Davids, Seedorf, Sissoko, true champions, true idols."

Down goes Chivas!

Didn't see this result coming. Chivas USA had gone unbeaten through five games and looked to beat everyone with a makeshift lineup.

Toronto FC on the other hand had looked horrible of late -- struggling against Dallas and underwhelming at BMO.

But all TFC needed was one moment from Amado Guevara and the Canadian side held on to win 1-0. Great news for the Sounders FC, who can pull within a point of first place with a win at home against San Jose on Saturday.

VIDEO: Barca is unbeatable

Watch the highlights of Barcelona's 4-0 thrashing of Sevilla.

They are incredible. Iniesta might be the most underrated player out there and these goals are world class.

Oh yeah.

Messi didn't play.

That's scary.

Welcome back du Nord!

Brucio is back from sabbatical!

Certainly du Nord would be on the Mount Rushmore of soccer blogs. I'm glad to see he's returned -- heck, he provided this wonderful picture.

The soccer blogosphere is a much better place now.

You think we'll see the return of Lali Alexus?