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The 11th season of Major League Soccer kicks off this weekend. Which teams will rise to the top? What will the big story lines be? Will this be the breakout season for Freddy Adu, or will another young star grab the spotlight? Make your bold predictions here!
Which big time European power is most likely to find itself out of Champions League play next week?
Will favorite Barcelona crash to Benefica? Can Juventus overcome Arsenal's two goal advantage? Can AC Milan find the net against a tough Lyon side? Will Inter hold its slim 2-1 margin in Spain?
Milan, Italy (Sports Network) - Inter Milan substitute Obafemi Martins scored the game-winning goal to overcome Villarreal 2-1 Wednesday at Giuseppe Meazaa in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
Despite its loss, Villarreal opened the scoreboard seconds into the game after Jose Mari Romeros's shot was blocked by Inter goalkeeper Francesco, but fell to the feet of striker Diego Forlan who finished the job.
Minutes later, the home team grabbed the equalizer when Adriano fired teammate Dejan Stankovic's cross past visiting 'keeper Sebastian Viera.
Fans were on their feet in the 54th minute as Martins sealed the deal for Inter, capitalizing on a cross from Stankovic.
With its victory, Inter heads to El Madrigal April 4 and will have a slight one goal advantage. The club has not won the Champions League title since 1965.
Also in Champions League action: AC Milan and Lyon finished in a scoreless draw Wednesday. The Serie A club will look to break the deadlock next week when it hosts Lyon in the second leg of the tournament.
(Soccer365.com) - Juventus boss Fabio Capello grimly forecasted that his side would need a Delle Alpi destruction in the second leg to get past Tuesday night Champions League victors Arsenal.
The Gunners continued Juve’s shameful luck in England thanks to a pair of goals from Bianconeri castout Thierry Henry.
"The tie is still alive, but we need a big performance in Turin," offered Capello. "We played well in the first half until Arsenal scored a goal we should not have conceded, and the second goal could also have been avoided."
"After that, Arsenal played very well and they were very fresh because they had not played a match for nine days."
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(Soccer365.com) - Benfica manager Ronald Koeman claims his Champions League underdogs weren’t finished with a competent scoreless home draw with Spanish giants Barcelona.
"We knew it before, and Barcelona showed again that they have a great team," said the former Catalan European Cup hero. "They created a lot of chances, especially in the first half when we were nervous."
"In the second half we improved, but overall Barcelona were better because they created more opportunities than us," continued Koeman. "The last 20 minutes we were physically better and we were more dangerous."
"Before this game they were the favourites and after this result they still are, but we will fight at the Camp Nou."
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(Soccer365.com) - Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has offered applause to the gritty Champions League performance of hosts Benfica on Tuesday night.
"Both teams had chances, so we can't complain about the result," he told reporters. "We are sad because we didn't score, but nothing is decided."
"Now we have to keep this attitude," insisted Rijkaard. "Benfica showed they are a good team and Ronaldinho was well marked."
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London, England (Sports Network) - Strikes from Francesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry led Arsenal to a 2-0 victory over Serie A giant Juventus on Tuesday in the first leg of Champions League quarterfinal action.
Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, who returned to Highbury for the first time since joining Juventus in the preseason, was overshadowed by his replacement, Fabregas.
The 18-year-old midfielder opened the scoreboard five minutes before halftime when he found Henry's pass that he fired low, past Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Henry then doubled the Gunners lead in the 68th minute after capitalizing on a square ball from Fabregas that went flying into the visiting team's net.
Moments later, Vieira was issued a yellow card and suspended for the return leg of the tournament after fouling Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes.
He was then joined by teammates Mauro Camoranesi and Jonathan Zebina who were awarded red cards and dismissed from the match minutes before the final whistle was blown.
"It was a great night for us," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. "Before the game we wanted to play well defensively and score goals, and we managed to combine both. I'm very happy with the performance of the team, togetherness, but as well with the fluency, the speed, the technical part of the game we want to play. Overall the technical quality I feel in patches was very high, and shows that the team is getting better and better."
With its victory, Arsenal will head to Stadio della Alpi with a two-goal advantage, hoping to reach the semifinals for the first time in the club's history.
"I rate our chances 50-50 to go through, (but) winning the tournament? It's a long, long way to go," said Wenger. "I believe we can go through and believe we will finish the job at Juventus but there is still a lot to come, you know. Let's win on Saturday against Aston Villa."
Also in Champions League play: Barcelona and Benfica finished in a scoreless affair. The two teams will meet again April 5 at Camp Nou.
The first wave of quarterfinal legs are in the books. Click below for the scores...
Arsenal grabbed a 2-nil edge in Highbury over Juventus, which finished the match with only nine men. Fabergas and Henry netted for the home side. Juve's task in Turin next week will be made even more difficult due to suspensions to Vieira, Zebina and Camoranesi in the return leg.
Meanwhile, Barcelona and Benefica battled to a scoreless draw. Barcelona returns to the Nou Camp emptyhanded knowing that a road goal for Benefica next week could prove disastrous for their title hopes.
Up tomorrow, Lyon v. AC Milan and Inter v. Villarreal.
(Soccer365.com) - Lyon winger Florent Malouda says he is tired of dropping out of the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage and expressed his faith that the French kings can topple AC Milan.
"In the last two seasons, people told us we'd been handed favorable draws, but it turned out that Porto and PSV weren't so easy after all," he told reporters. "We know Milan will be tough, but we feel we're stronger than ever and we all believe we can do it."
"I hope we do in any case, because I'm fed up of missing out on semifinals."
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(Soccer365.com) - Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham is struggling with an ankle bruise and could be forced to sit out their weekend clash with Barcelona at Nou Camp.
"Just kicking the ball is really painful," he reported. "I've had an anti-inflammatory injection and ice, but I'll just have to give it a bit of rest and see how it is."
"We will just have to see what the swelling is like and if goes down or not," shrugged Beckham. "The pain is the problem."
"I hope I'll be able to play, though."
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(Soccer365.com) - Aware that Juventus have struggled mightily in Champions League matches in England, coach Fabio Capello has instructed his side to watch out for an offensive Arsenal on Tuesday night.
"(They) have very good players and they always try to attack, especially at home," said the manager. "They are always dangerous, especially on the counterattack, as they have great pace, particularly in Henry."
"In European games, every team tries to make the most of home advantage, so we will have to be very careful and try to hit back whenever we can."
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(Soccer365.com) - Real Madrid captain Raúl says he understands that regaining form after an injury layoff may take more time than is left before World Cup kicks off in June.
The Spain striker has yet to find the net since returning from a knee setback earlier this month, but vows to bring what he can to Germany.
"I have to be realistic and make the most of the minutes I get," he told Spanish daily AS. "I feel good in training and during games."
"All I can do is try to arrive at the finals in the best condition I can, to lend a hand at the very least."
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London, England (Sports Network) - Tottenham striker Robbie Keane scored two late goals to overcome West Brom 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Monday in Premiership action.
With the victory, the Spurs secured fourth place in league standings with 55 points and lead their greatest threat, Blackburn, by three.
The home side trailed West Brom 1-0 going into the second half. Skipper Curtis Davies opened the scoreboard in the 21st minute when he sent teammate Jonathan Greening's cross past Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
In the 67th minute, Keane grabbed the equalizer after receiving a pass from Michael Carrick that he managed to lift over West Brom goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
The 25-year-old Irishman's strike marked his 50th Premiership goal for the club.
Tottenham sealed the deal with only minutes to play when Kuszczak brought down striker Jermain Defoe for a penalty which Keane fired in for the 2-1 victory.
The Spurs will look for their 16th league win of the season when the club heads to Newcastle this weekend.
West Brom meets third place Liverpool in hopes of recovering Monday's loss.
(Soccer365.com) - Hannover 96 defender Steve Cherundolo has vaguely suggested that he could be off to Bolton this summer.
The American abroad, who holds a contract clause that allows him to make a Premiership move if someone pays €2 million, has been linked with Wanderers ever since coach Sam Allardyce took in last week’s U.S.-Germany friendly.
“The whole matter will be decided within the next three to four weeks as I want to have things settled before the World Cup,” Cherundolo told Kicker.
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(Soccer365.com) - Real Madrid have corrected a statement made by president Fernando Martin last week, insisting that they have not decided on a manager for next season.
The Galacticos have been linked with several big names, including former bosses Guus Hiddink and Vicente del Bosque.
“Contrary to what has been reported in the Spanish and European media the club has made no decision on who will be the club’s coach next season,” read an official club statement. “The club has no agreement or contract with any coach.”
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(Soccer365.com) - Bayern Munich attacker Basti Schweinsteiger has continued to hit back at German daily TZ by filing defamation and libel claims against the editors and writers responsible.
The Germany starlet was named as a target in a story about ongoing match-fixing investigations.
The newspaper has already retracted the story and apologized, but Schweinsteiger has now taken his gripe to the courts.
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Livingston, Scotland (Sports Network) - Maciej Zurawski and Shaun Maloney each scored to lead Celtic to a 2-0 victory over Livingston on Sunday. With the win, Celtic is now only one win away of claiming its first Scottish Premier League title since the 2003-2004 campaign.
"I'm happy with the points," said Celtic manager Gordon Strachan. "Livingston was excellent in the first half. It should be pleased with its display."
As for Livingston, it remains in last place, suffering its 23rd loss in 31 outings so far this season.
The match was deadlocked at zero heading into the intermission, but Celtic posted two goals within a five-minute span early in the second half and it never looked back.
Zurawski opened up the scoring in the 47th minute with a shot from inside the goal area, while Maloney made it a 2-0 affair in the 52nd minute via a penalty kick. Manu Dorado fouled Dion Dublin in the box to place the ball on the spot.
"At the start of the second half, Celtic finished us with a quick goal and a soft penalty," said Livingston manager John Robertson. "Dion Dublin went down very easily."
The rest of the SPL played on Saturday with the following results: Interim coach Valdas Ivanauskas started his new job at Hearts on the right foot with a 2-1 win on the road over Falkirk. The interim coach made his first appearance with the club after replacing former coach Graham Rix, who was dismissed earlier in the week; Rangers got by Dunfermline, 1-0; Aberdeen and Motherwell finished with a 2-2 draw; Dundee United and Kilmarnock also finished in the 2-2 tie; Inverness shut out Hibernian, 2-0.
Manchester, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United jumped ahead of Liverpool in Premiership standings after the club shut out Birmingham 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Strikes from Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, along with a Birmingham own goal, allowed United to move into second place with 66 points.
In the third minute, Giggs curled a 20-yard free-kick that managed to bounce off Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor, handing the home team the one- goal advantage.
The Welshman then doubled his team's lead in the 15th minute when he found a throughball from Rooney that he easily slid past the frustrated Taylor.
Rooney sealed the win for United and recorded his 13th league goal of the season when he slid past Birmingham's defense and beat Taylor in a one-on-one, seven minutes before the final whistle was blown.
"The players are working very well and are playing some great football," said United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The victory marked Gary Neville's 500th game appearance. The 31-year-old defender is only the eighth player to be named to the United 500 club, joining former Reds Joe Spence, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Tony Dunne, Alex Stepney, Denis Irwin and teammate Giggs.
Capping of other Premiership action on Sunday: Newcastle experienced its fourth straight loss when the club fell 3-1 to Charlton; Middlesbrough's Stuart Parnaby scored in the final seconds to sneak past Bolton 4-3.
On Saturday, Liverpool defeated Everton, 3-1; Chelsea moved closer to the league title with a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge; Aston Villa and Fulham finished in a scoreless draw; Blackburn edged Sunderland, 1-0; and West Ham scored twice against Wigan for the 2-1 win.
What in the name of the artist formerly known as Prince is going on the MLS? Red Bulls and Dynamos. The season starts Saturday with two new team names.
Goodbye San Jose Earthquakes, hello 1836 Houston. Adios 1836, hola Houston Dynamos! See ya NY/NJ Metrostars? Welcome Red Bull New York?
What do you think of the new names in the MLS? And more importantly, MLS kicks off this Saturday -- are you excited?
London, England (Sports Network) - Despite an early red card issued to Steven Gerrard, Liverpool still managed to push past Everton, 3-1, Saturday to to pressure Manchester United for the Premiership's second place.
Gerrard was dismissed in just the 18th minute after a foul, leaving Liverpool shorthanded. But thanks to goals from Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell, respectively, and an own goal from Phil Neville, Liverpool was able to earn the victory at Anfield.
For now, Liverpool can enjoy the win and the promotion in the standings. The club has been in a long and intense battle with Manchester United for the runner-up spot.
The win marks the club's 19th of the season, which puts it in a tie for wins with Manchester United.
Neville's own goal opened the scoring just before the end of the first half. Neville headed in Xabi Alonso's corner into the Everton net to give Liverpool its first lead of the match.
In the second half, Liverpool proved to be the clear favorites. Garcia doubled the home team's lead in the 47th minute with a lob that found the back of the net.
The 2-0 lead held until the 51st minute, when Tim Cahill headed in Everton's first goal to cut the deficit to one.
But Kewell would provide the quick answer, with a goal 13 minutes later to nearly seal the win.
Overall, it was a rough 90 minutes for both teams, as three players were dismissed throughout the duration of the match. Following Gerrard's first half dismissal, Everton's Andy van der Meyde was dismissed in the second half.
For Everton, the loss is the club's 14th of the season.
In other league play Saturday, first place Chelsea moved closer to the league title with a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Didier Drogba scored both goals for the double to give Chelsea its 25th Premiership win. The first place club now has 78 points for a 14 point lead over second place Liverpool.
Drogba scored his first in the 30th minute and second in the 33rd to give Chelsea the quick lead. The second goal, however, sparked controversy amongst the Manchester City players, who argued there had been a handball on the play.
Also on Saturday; Aston Villa and Fulham finished in a scoreless draw; Blackburn edged Sunderland, 1-0; and West Ham scored twice against Wigan for the 2-1 win.
The Arseanl-Portsmouth match was postponed due to excess water on the Fratton Park field.
Manchester, England (Sports Network) - Manchester United captain Gary Neville will be named to the United 500 club when he makes his 500th game appearance against Premiership club Birmingham on Sunday.
The 31-year-old defender is only the eighth player to join the elite club comprised of former Reds Joe Spence, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Tony Dunne, Alex Stepney, Denis Irwin and teammate Ryan Giggs.
"To have played at this club for so long and get to 500 matches is something I never would have dreamed of," Neville told Manchester United's website.
Neville made his Manchester United debut thirteen years ago as a substitute in a UEFA Cup draw with Torpedo Moscow. Since then, he has received six Premiership titles, three FA Cups, a European Cup and a League Cup winners' medal.
Manchester United looks for its 20th league win this season when Neville leads his team against 18th place Birmingham at Old Trafford.
Dortmund, Germany (Sports Network) - The U.S. Men's National Team entered Wednesday's match without many of the team's regulars, and left the match with a 4-1 loss as Germany scored four second-half goals in front of the home fans at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.
The German club and coach Jurgen Klinsmann were in dire need of a win after losing its last friendly match to Italy by the identical score of 4-1 March 1 in Florence, Italy.
The more than 60,000 fans in attendance for Wednesday's match remained quiet during the scoreless first half, but erupted in cheers and chants when German substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the first goal minutes into the second half to lead Germany to the victory.
Despite the last minute efforts of Steve Cherundolo who scored after Eddie Johnson collided with German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, the United States' defense seemed to breakdown at the start of the second half.
Wednesday's match proved an important one for the U.S., as it is the last time the team will step foot on a European field prior to the June 9th start of the FIFA World Cup.
For manager Bruce Arena, the Germany match was also an important chance to see his players compete against a competitive opponent. Klinsmann's starting lineup included nine players that were with Germany during its second place finish in the 2002 World Cup.
The loss is the United States' first since the start of 2006. Prior to Wednesday, the team had won four matches, and tied one for a strong start to the year. Arena's lineup was without Landon Donovan, who was scratched with a calf injury, Clint Dempsey, Brian McBride, Eddie Pope and Eddie Lewis, among others.
Fans at Signal Iduna Park were treated to a first half of missed scoring opportunities. The German offense quickly took control of the match, with numerous attempts inside of the first 10 minutes.
Striker Michael Ballack took Germany's first attempt at a goal in the second minute with a header that was drilled over the U.S. net. Germany managed another shot in the fifth minute from 20 yards out, resulting in an easy save for goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
The U.S. lineup took a hit early in the 17th minute, when Chris Klein was brought in for Josh Wolff, who was substituted after suffering a mild concussion.
The U.S. also managed a number of opportunities, but failed to score against Kahn.
The 0-0 draw was quickly erased in the early stages of the first half. Schweinsteiger scored the team's first goal by drilling a shot into the left corner of the net to take the first lead of the game in the 46th minute.
The U.S. had its best chance to equalize in the 66th minute, but Johnson's header was saved by a diving Kahn to preserve the lead.
Oliver Neuville, Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack followed by scoring a goal each to make it 4-0 with just 10 minutes remaining.
The U.S. managed a goal in the 80th minute, when Cherundolo sent a long pass to Johnson, who collided with Kahn as the ball rolled into the back of the German net.
The U.S. faces Jamaica in its next friendly match April 11 at SAS Park in Cary, North Carolina.
(Soccer365.com) - The German men's national team quieted their critics with a comprehensive 4-1 win over the United States men's national team at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmundon on Wednesday evening. After a scoreless first half, Die Mannschaft broke out for four unanswered goals in the second.
The Red, White and Blue were without several key players most notably Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride, Eddie Lewis, Landon Donovan, and DaMarcus Beasley and never were able to consistently hold the ball or create chances.
Germany on the other hand came out quickly knowing all the pressure was on their team and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann after a 4-1 loss to Italy in their last match.
After going to the half empty handed, Germany took control in the 47th minute when second half substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger knocked in a free kick. After Schweinsteiger sent a low service into the box, Miroslav Klose forced Kasey Keller to protect the near post and when Klose was unable to redirect the ball it bounced past the out stretched hand of Keller into the far side netting.
German netminder Oliver Kahn was seldom tested but on the two occasions he was called into action he came up big.
On the first occasion in the 66th minute, he denied a well placed Eddie Johnson header with a reflex save on a ball destined for the back of the net to preserve the 1-0 lead.
He then robbed Steve Cherundolo on a well struck left footed shot in the 80th minute.
Germany blew the game open with a 3 goal onslaught over a 7 minute run starting in the 73rd minute with Oliver Neuville, Klose and Michael Ballack scoring in the 73rd, 77th and 80th minutes, respectively.
The U.S. knocked in a late consolation goal in the 85th minute when a Cherundolo service bounced over a charging Kahn before he collided with Johnson at the top of the box and both ended up on the ground with the ball headed over the goal line.
The goal was the first international tally for Chernudolo.
For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365
(Soccer365.com) - Corinthians ace Carlos Tevez has proclaimed himself fit for their vital Libertadores Cup visit from Mexican club Pumas on Wednesday.
The cash splashers stand third in Group Four through four matches, but their sniper is back after taking a knock in the road meeting between the sides two weeks ago.
"I'm feeling well, I trained and I didn't feel pain," declared Tevez. "I'm going to play." he was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
"I'm going to do everything I can for us to win the Libertadores," added the Argentina phenom. "We will definitely qualify and I'm sure we're going to beat the Tigers."
For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365
(Soccer365.com) - Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has tersely refuted English media speculation that he met with FA officials about succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson after World Cup while on a recent London sojourn.
"If I had to deny everything that's been written about my future, I wouldn't do anything else in the next few months," Big Phil told Record. "I was in London on Friday for a conference with Bobby Robson."
"I arrived at 11 in the morning, I went to the meeting site, we had a meeting with business people and it was all over at five in the afternoon," said Scolari. "I got another taxi to the airport to go back to Lisbon."
"It's foolishness, and only makes sense if that (FA) director were the taxi driver."
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(Soccer365.com) - Reading attacker Bobby Convey has been flying down the wing all season long, but showed some versatility playing at the head of a three-man midfield in the club's weekend draw against Wolverhampton.
Royals' boss Steve Coppell felt the need to make a tactical adjustment to face Wolves, and gave the American abroad high marks in a new position.
"Bobby was superb," the coach told the club website. "He scored the goal and his all-round contribution was outstanding."
Coppell added that the Philadelphia native has improved his physical play from last season.
"When he first came here, he was perhaps a bit precious on occasion," he stated. "But now he knows the level that he has to compete at."
For his part, Convey was happy to show that he was more than the highest rated winger in the Championship.
"The gaffer just changed the way we played a little because (Wolves) play with three in midfield," he commented. "I've played there before and I enjoy it, and I thought it worked well."
As much fanfare as the Man of the Match has been receiving, Convey was quick to send some praise back towards Coppell.
"He doesn't like the credit or being in the media, but he deserves the accolades for our team," insisted the U.S. starlet. "He's the key reason why we've done so well, because he has everyone's respect."
"Being a winger himself, he always has time for our wingers," said Convey. "He feels he can teach us the most, and he has helped me improve."
At the moment, the striped #17 shirt has swapped for a 'Nats jersey for Wednesday's friendly with Germany in Dortmund.
"I'm going to start in the game, but I'm not done helping Reading get promoted so I may not play the full match," revealed Convey.
"To help my team get promoted to the Premiership and then go and play in the World Cup, I can't ask for any more."
For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365
(Soccer365.com) - Oft-injured ADO Den Haag midfielder John O'Brien is healthy and on his way to MLS, according to agent Rob Jansen.
The business manager noted that the World Cup 2002 starter should be available to Bruce Arena again this summer in Germany.
"He's completely fit," Jansen told Yanks-Abroad. "He's in the middle of negotiations with an American team."
"It looks good, and I think it will happen."
The long-time Eredivisie man returned to the U.S. last winter to nurse a groin injury and has yet to return to his Dutch club.
ADO manager Frans Adelaar confirmed that O'Brien would not be back at Zuiderpark.
"He went to America around Christmas, and since then I didn't hear from him that he is fit to play," said the coach. "With five games remaining, I don't think he will play for ADO Den Haag anymore."
"He has a contract until the end of this season, and we won't give him a new contract."
For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365
(Soccer365.com) - Mexico star Rafa Marquez will be missing from Barcelona's selection for at least a month after tearing a thigh muscle during their victory over Real Sociedad this weekend.
The stopper is also now in some doubt for World Cup 2006.
"This is always a bad time for this type of injury," club medico Jordi Ardevol told the club website.
"Statistically, this kind of injury is the most common amongst footballers."
For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365
London, England (Sports Network) - Premiership champion Chelsea suffered a 1-0 upset to rival Fulham at Craven Cottage in Sunday's West London Derby.
The home team handed Chelsea its third league loss of the season when striker Luis Boa Morte scored in the 17th minute of the match after capitalizing on teammate Steed Malbranque's deflected shot.
Four Chelsea players received yellow cards during the game, not to mention, William Gallas, who was sent off the field in the 90th minute after fouling Fulham forward Heidar Helguson on the sideline.
The match got ugly when Chelsea substitute Didier Drogba's goal in the 59th minute was rejected after referee Mike Dean ruled a handball.
"I have seen it on TV and I know it was a handball, no doubts about that," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told Chelsea's website.
"But the referee did not see it and gave no goal and the linesman didn't see and he gave no goal. They couldn't resist the pressure of the Fulham players and that is a problem."
Despite its loss, Chelsea still leads second-place Manchester United by 12 points, while Fulham moved to 14th, trying to avoid relegation.
Also on Sunday: Liverpool trails second place Manchester United by only 2 points after its 3-1 victory over Newcastle.
Peter Crouch, Steven Gerrard and Djibril Cisse each scored for Liverpool to command the club's offense.
On Saturday, Tottenham reclaimed the fourth place spot with its 2-0 victory over Birmingham; Arsenal scored three goals inside of 50 minutes for a 3-0 win over Charlton; Manchester United moved closer to league leader Chelsea with a 2-1 win over West Brom; Portsmouth made it two in a row with a 4-2 win over West Ham, its sixth win of the season; Blackburn made it past Middlesbrough, 3-2 to stay in contention with Arsenal; Bolton handed last place Sunderland its league-high 24th loss with a 2-0 defeat; Everton scored four against Aston Villa for the 4-1 win; and Wigan squeaked by Manchester City, 1-0.
Faro, Portugal (Sports Network) - The U.S. Women's National Team suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss in penalty kicks against Germany on Wednesday in the 2006 Algarve Cup final.
Despite their 16 shots on goal during regulation time, the Americans failed to win their fourth consecutive title after an intense shootout with the World Cup champion.
"It was a good game by both teams," said U.S. head coach Greg Ryan.
"I think we played much better this year. Last year, I thought Germany dominated the game and we were fortunate to score the goal and defend well. Tonight, I think we were the more aggressive team, (constantly) attacking throughout the game."
The U.S. had the first scoring opportunity in the 15th minute when striker Heather O'Reilly sent a perfect cross to teammate Aly Wagner who slid past the German defense and shot just wide from 14 yards out.
Wagner tried to score again in the 30th minute when she received a square ball from captain Kristine Lilly, but missed the target, firing at the upper left corner of the cross bar.
Four minutes later, Carli Lloyd shared Wagner's bad luck and hit the bar from 30-yards out.
Striker Abby Wambach came close to scoring late in the second half when she hammered a shot from 12 yards out that hit Germany goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg's shoulder and eventually was cleared by the German defense.
Germany had the best opportunity to score in overtime when Wimbersky nailed a cross from the right side that goalkeeper Hope Solo had to punch away. Celia Okoyino da Mbabi found the ball at the top of the penalty and fired at the left corner forcing Solo to knock it out of bounds.
With the game still scoreless after 120 minutes, the two teams were forced to enter a penalty shootout, in which Germany prevailed.
Wagner scored on the U.S.'s first kick followed by Germany's Melanie Behringer who also grabbed a goal. Boxx then shot to the right corner giving Rottenberg a save. Conny Pohlers then put Germany in the lead when she fired past Solo. Whitehill retaliated and struck the upper right corner, while Prinz shot over the goal to tie the shootout 2-2. Wambach then hit the bottom of the crossbar to give Germany the advantage as Okoyino da Mbabi fired into the right corner. Lilly shot last for the U.S. and scored, but Wimbersky tricked Solo to hand Germany the win.
The match marked the U.S.'s first loss since November 6, 2004, when they were defeated by Denmark, 3-1.
Also in Algarve Cup action: Sweden's Lotta Schelin scored the lone goal to defeat France and take third place; Norway gained fifth place after shutting out China 1-0; Finland received seventh after squeaking by Mexico 4-3; Denmark took ninth place after crushing Ireland 4-0.
The Champions League quarterfinals draw is now set. Defending champs Liverpool have been ousted, as have the top England club, Chelsea. So what are your picks for the semifinals and who will win it all later this year?
Here is the quarterfinals draw:
(games scheduled for March 28th, April 5th)
Arsenal v. Juventus
Benifica v. Barcelona
(games scheduled for March 29th, April 4th)
Inter Milan v. Villarreal
Lyon v. AC Milan
Who do you like?
No sound is more powerful than soccer fans singing in unison in a packed stadium. And no noise is more inspired than a roar from the crowd after a game-winning goal. So why should the fans sit quietly while the so-called 'experts' and clueless commentators spout off endlessly?
Footy fans, here's your chance to find your voice.
We'll supply daily news on the world's game and you supply the opinions. Is Mourinho bad for English football, or simply the best manager out there? What team will have a magnificent run in Germany this summer, what team will fall flat on its face?
You have a voice, use it here. Just stay on topic and keep it clean. We want fans of all ages to enjoy the latest fame and blame of the world's game.
