(ussoccer.com) The U.S. Men’s National Team will face Argentina at Giants Stadium on June 8 to cap off a trio of friendlies before kicking off 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

The match against the world’s No. 1 ranked team follows a two-game tour in Europe where the U.S. will take on England on May 28 in London and Spain on June 4 in Santander.

The match against Argentina will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised live on ESPN Classic and Galavision. Fans can also follow the match live on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

Ticket information will be announced shortly.

"Argentina is clearly one of the best teams in the world and playing against an opponent of that caliber is a great opportunity for our team," said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. "Combined with the matches against England and Spain, we have put together a very good schedule to help us prepare for World Cup qualifying. We expect it will be a fantastic crowd at Giants Stadium, and we are looking forward to an exciting atmosphere."

The U.S. begins the quest to qualify for their sixth-consecutive World Cup finals when they take on Barbados on June 15 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The second leg of the home-and-away series will be played either June 21 or 22 in Barbados. Prior to the USA’s first World Cup qualifier, the U.S. will have faced six teams that have been ranked in the top 15 in the world since 2007 – Argentina, Brazil, England, Mexico, Sweden and Spain.

The U.S. has played top-ranked Argentina eight times in their history, holding a lifetime record of 2-6-0 against the South American juggernaut. Of those eight matches, only three have been played in the United States, with the other five taking place in neutral sites. The two U.S. victories include a 3-0 upset of the defending champions in the group phase of the 1995 Copa America, and a 1-0 win in 1999 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., when a Joe-Max Moore goal was the difference.

This will be the last friendly match for the U.S. Men at Giants Stadium. The U.S. Men have played at Giants Stadium seven times in their history, holding a 4-1-2 record. One of the most memorable matches in U.S. history occurred at the East Rutherford venue on June 11, 2000, when the U.S. defeated Mexico, 3-0, to win the 2000 Nike U.S. Cup. The emphatic victory was the beginning of the team’s current 10-game undefeated streak on home soil against their archrival.

The U.S. played their last two matches at Giants Stadium during the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, defeating Honduras, 2-1, in the semifinals and then Panama in penalty kicks to earn the title.

The teams last met during the 2007 Copa America, with the Argentines outclassing a young and inexperienced U.S. team in their 4-1 win on June 28 in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Argentina advanced to the final before falling to Brazil, 3-0, to finish in second place.

Argentina currently sits in second place of CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, collecting three victories while suffering one defeat through four matches. Following the match against the United States, the Argentines will play qualifiers against Colombia at home on June 14 and away in Brazil three days later.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

(Soccer365.com) Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster is confident he will be in charge of the Spanish champions next year even if they fail to defend their title.

Schuster has had to contend with rumours that former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is set to replace him at the end of the season ever since Madrid crashed out of the Champions League against Roma at the last 16 stage.

Both club president Ramon Calderon and sporting director Predrag Mijatovic have come out in defence of the German coach, but pressure has mounted on Schuster again following Real's defeat at home to Valencia last Sunday.

That setback cut Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga to four points, but Schuster claims he will not be sacked if second-placed Barcelona pip his side to the title.

"Not long ago Ramon Calderon told me that even if we don't win the league I will continue at Real Madrid, because this is a project and we are building a team," Schuster told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"We will continue with the second stage of that team building in the summer, and I am convinced that we will do it as league champions.

"I have complete faith in my president and I need nothing more."

After the 3-2 defeat to Valencia at the Bernabeu on Sunday a number of Madrid players criticised Schuster for his tactics, and claimed that their coach would not talk to them.

But Schuster refuted claims that he had problems with some of the players, saying: "I'm not difficult with anybody, the players know they can talk with me and will be open with them.

"It's true that from the outside I can seem rather closed. But all that (about problems with players) is just something that gets made up every time things are going badly."

He has already started planning for next season, and was clear on the areas of the squad in need of strengthening.

"Just because we have lost one or two games doesn't mean we are doomed forever, although we do need to improve," he admitted.

"I'm clear on the team that I have, and I know where we need to improve."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that there are plenty of similarities between Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United legend George Best.

Ronaldo has been in sparkling form all season and his second goal against Bolton last week took his tally for the current campaign to 33.

That broke Best's club record for goals from a midfielder in one season, but Ferguson insists it is not just Ronaldo's prolific form that reminds him of the Northern Ireland great.

The United boss believes comparisons can be made due to the way that Ronaldo strikes fear into his opponents with thrusting runs from midfield, much as Best used to.

"There are certainly similarities," Ferguson told Manchester United Radio.

"When George played as a winger I don't think he ever stayed still. He roamed from side to side - he played on the right, the left and through the middle.

"I've looked at Best's goals and a lot of Cristiano's are similar. He starts from wide positions before cutting inside.

"The boy's in tremendous form right now."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) David Beckham won his 100th cap for England but had little cause to celebrate as a Franck Ribery penalty earned France victory in the friendly international in Paris.

Beckham picked up a yellow card and played for 63 minutes before leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from both sets of fans and being replaced by David Bentley.

Ribery struck from the spot in the 32nd minute after goalkeeper David James had brought down Nicolas Anelka to condemn Fabio Capello to his first setback as England boss.

After the game Beckham insisted he doesn't want it to be 100 and out.

"I'm very honoured," Beckham told Sky Sports 1. "Straight from when I started playing for England I never dreamed I'd get 100 caps, and hopefully beyond.

"I'm happy but like I said during the week I want to carry on. Of course things can change but I want to carry on playing for my country."

This was the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder's first competitive match of the year because Major League Soccer is still in the off-season, and Beckham was pleased with his showing after being omitted from the squad for Fabio Capello's first match against Switzerland.

"I've proved my fitness, that's the biggest thing," he added. "We're not into our season yet but I felt great, I felt a lot better than I thought I would."

The 32-year-old is now only eight caps short of World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, who holds the record for most appearances by an outfield player.

Beckham, though, claimed his focus is not on trying to beat Moore, saying: "Just to go over the 100 mark is a proud moment.

"To be up there with Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Billy Wright and Peter Shilton, I'm honoured to be in that company."

Capello was pleased by the way his side played.

"I'm actually quite happy because I have seen improvements," he added on Sky Sports 1.

"We played against a top-level team and I think we did well."

As for why he was so pleased, the Italian said: "The way we played, we didn't let the opposition play too much and especially, the way we played with personality.

"We did especially well in the first half, but unfortunately we conceded the penalty, the goal."

As for Beckham, the Italian said: "Yes I saw him well, he was fit and could have carried on playing. I subbed him because I needed to see other players as well."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

(Soccer365.com) DaMarcus Beasley believes he could return for Rangers before the end of the season after a miraculous recovery from knee ligament damage.

The 25-year-old was initially told to aim for pre-season training when he suffered severe knee ligament damage in a collision during Gers' Champions League clash in Stuttgart last November.

But after a stint of intense rehabilitation in his native United States, the former PSV Eindhoven and Manchester City attacker believes a comeback this term cannot be ruled out.

"It's only been three and a half months and the injury's supposed to be six months, so I'm definitely ahead of schedule," Beasley told Rangers TV.

"I'm not going to rush anything - I'm going to take it day by day.

"If I play by the end of the season, great, if I don't it will be a disappointment because I want to contribute to the team.

"If I'm able to play at the end of the season, late April, early May, that's fantastic. I'm definitely shooting for that because I've been out for so long, and I want to play."

Following surgery in December, the American was not able to walk at all for five weeks, but he then joined a personal trainer in Delaware for two sessions of rehab a day which appear to have paid dividends.

Beasley admits his attempt to regain fitness "wasn't a holiday", but is confident that all his hard work will yield long-term benefits.

"It was my first real injury, so it was a little bit rough trying to get my head around it," he added.

"But everything happens for a reason, and in the end I think the injury will help me to become a better player and become stronger."

Now Beasley is happy to be back in Glasgow and to be involved with the squad as they seek to claim the domestic treble.

"It's good to be back, good to see the boys and the coaching staff," he said.

"It's been a long haul now, about three and a half months that I've been away, so it feels good being back."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Didier Drogba believes Chelsea's win over Arsenal has given them a real chance of Premier League glory and ended the Gunners' own title hopes.

The Ivorian striker believes the hard-earned victory will inspire the Blues to further success this season.

Drogba declared: "Arsenal are not there now, they lost the game, maybe it is going to be difficult for their confidence, I don't know, but I just try to look at my team and I think we did a good job.

"It is always difficult to play against Arsenal but we were compact and strong, we deserved it."

Bacary Sagna had put Arsenal in front but Chelsea stormed back with Drogba's double keeping them well in the hunt for the Premier League crown just five points behind Manchester United.

"It was an important win because it gives us the strength and the belief that we can still be champions," explained Drogba.

Joe Cole produced another outstanding performance against Arsenal and hinted that Arsene Wenger's side crumpled under their intense onslaught.

Cole said: "We both wanted to win the game so it was end to end, a draw wouldn't have been good for either of us, so we got the spoils.

"We were just a little bit more aggressive with our play.

"We got in their faces a little bit and when Didier plays as well as that you have got to use him, so we just kept knocking the ball up to his chest and joining him from there.

"We still think we can do it but we have to hope that Manchester United drop points and we win all of our games, but we will keep going, we are on a good run."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 08:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Soccer365.com) Manchester City have expressed an interest in Barcelona's 18-year-old forward Giovani dos Santos, according to the player's father Zizinho.

Mexico international Dos Santos broke into Barca's senior squad last season, but the rise of fellow young star Bojan Krkic has limited his appearances in the Catalan giants' starting XI this year.

"There is interest from Manchester City," Zizinho told Mexican newspaper El Universal.

"However, I cannot give more information now as Giovani's agent is the one in charge of all this, it's him who is dealing with negotiations.

"I can't say for sure if Giovani will go to another team. There are still games to play in La Liga and while there are he's only thinking about Barcelona.

"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, there is interest but first he has to concentrate on Barcelona."

Dos Santos has played 25 times for Barca this season in all competitions, scoring once in a Champions League game with Stuttgart.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Soccer365.com) AC Milan playmaker Kaka has sent out a warning to his rivals, claiming that his best is yet to come and that only Milan can help him reach it.

Kaka won both the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year during an excellent campaign last year, which culminated in the Brazilian winning his first Champions League crown.

It was not enough for Kaka, however, who now has his sights on winning the awards again before he can be mentioned in the same breath as other legends of the game.

And speaking in Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Kaka admitted the San Siro is the only place feels he can achieve his goal.

"My objective is to win (the Ballon d'Or) again and get closer to the likes of (Johann) Cruyff or (Marco) Van Basten who have three," he said.

"That is one of my goals, because I think I'm still to reach my best. Milan are the ones who can help me to do that.

"Milan offered me the chance (to come to Europe). They made things so easy for me which is why I'm so strongly linked to this club and why I haven't thought of playing anywhere else."

Real Madrid have repeatedly been linked with Kaka, but despite admitting an interest in Spanish football the 25-year-old midfielder said he never entertained any thoughts of joining the Spanish champions.

He said: "I like Spanish football. But I'm used to Italian football where I see it as a challenge to overcome the tactical difficulties.

"With regard to Madrid, my father and agent spoke to them and told them that Kaka would never leave Milan.

"They told Madrid the only possibility would be for them to contact Milan, which they did and my team told them I wasn't for sale."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) A stunning double from Didier Drogba kept Chelsea's title hopes alive after they came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast striker scored two goals in eight minutes after Bacary Sagna had put the Gunners in front.

Drogba's goals stretched Chelsea's unbeaten home league record to 78 games - but more importantly meant they are within touching distance of Manchester United at the top of the table.

Chelsea leapfrogged Arsenal into second place and now sit five points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side with seven games remaining.

Manchester United have yet to visit Stamford Bridge - and that fixture may have the ultimate say in the destination of the title this season.

Arsenal had been the last team to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in February 2004 - and it looked like a repeat was on the cards when Sagna headed home a corner from Cesc Fabregas in the 59th minute.

Chelsea coach Avram Grant has often been criticised for not being able to beat the top teams but his team's stunning fightback may well have changed that perception once and for all.

The contest was just five minutes old when Michael Ballack tested Manuel Almunia with a free-kick that the Arsenal goalkeeper did well to collect at the foot of his left-hand upright.

But Arsenal, now five games without a win, had their chances too with Robin van Persie twice failing to beat Carlo Cudicini with shots from the edge of the penalty area.

Drogba was struggling to remain in the game in the opening half as he asked for treatment to a thigh problem - and he should have put home side ahead in the 24th minute.

A superb through-ball from captain John Terry put Drogba in the clear - but the ball bounced off his knee into the grateful arms of the waiting Almunia.

Cudicini had to be alert at the opposite end when Ashley Cole's backpass almost found its way into the net.

Chelsea continued to chase a goal and Salomon Kalou should have provided it when a downward header found him unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box five minutes before the interval.

Sadly for Chelsea, Kalou completely missed his kick and the chance went begging.

Ballack then tested Almunia with a stinging volley that the Arsenal goalkeeper did well to save at the foot of his post.

The game sprung into life in the 59th minute when Sagna scored his first goal for Arsenal and put Wenger's side in control.

Fabregas sent his corner arcing towards the near post and Sagna lost his marker Kalou to glance a header into the net.

The goal looked to have put an end to Chelsea's interest in the title race but then Drogba found the kind of form which has made him one of the most feared strikers in Europe.

The Chelsea faithful were already beginning to fear the worst and chanted the name of Grant's predecessor Jose Mourinho - along with 'You don't know what you are doing' before Drogba lifted their ailing spirits.

The striker equalised in the 73rd minute when the ball cannoned back off Frank Lampard into his path on the edge of the penalty area.

Drogba reacted swiftly to drill a low shot beyond Almunia and into the bottom corner to put Chelsea back in the game.

But Drogba was not finished and eight minutes later the powerful striker had secured a remarkable comeback for the Blues with a goal which keeps them very much in the race for the title.

Joe Cole's free-kick fell to the striker eight yards out and he managed to bring the ball under control before despatching a right-foot shot that Almunia could only parry on its way into the net.

Drogba would have completed a sensational hat-trick moments later, only for Almunia to deny him with a superb save at his near post.

The result will give both managers much to think about as the title heads for a thrilling and unpredictable finish.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 05:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) David Beckham has been included in the England squad to face France in a friendly next week.

Beckham will be hopeful of winning his 100th cap in Paris next week after the midfielder was included in Fabio Capello's provisional 30-man squad.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Middlesbrough's central defender David Wheater have also been called up to the squad.

Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe has also been included while Chelsea pair John Terry and Frank Lampard, who missed Capello's first game in charge due to injury, are also there.

Those named in Capello's first 30-man squad in January who miss out this time are Micah Richards and Curtis Davies, both injured, as well as Ledley King, Nicky Shorey, Michael Carrick and Emile Heskey.

Capello has not named his captain against France - he has said he wants to try different players before deciding on a permanent choice.

Steven Gerrard wore the armband against Switzerland last month and Terry or Rio Ferdinand are the favourites for this game.

Squad: James (Portsmouth), Carson (Aston Villa), Kirkland (Wigan); Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Lescott (Everton), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Wheater (Middlesbrough), Woodgate (Tottenham), Upson (West Ham); Barry (Aston Villa), Young (Aston Villa), Bentley (Blackburn), J Cole (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Jenas (Tottenham); Walcott (Arsenal), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Crouch (Liverpool), Rooney (Man Utd), Owen (Newcastle), Defoe (Portsmouth).

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) Barcelona ace Thierry Henry says he has no intention of returning to England despite admitting his form has been affected by family problems.

Much has been made of Henry's struggles since his transfer to the Nou Camp from Arsenal.

The 30-year-old admitted last week that any dip in performance was because he was "not happy" at not seeing his two-year-old daughter as often as he would like following his divorce last year.

This news led to reports in the Spanish and British media that Manchester City were preparing a bid to bring the France star back to the Premier League.

But speaking in Barcelona daily Sport on Tuesday Henry simply said a return to England "is not a possibility".

Instead Henry preferred to concentrate on his future in La Liga.

He said: "Before I was playing with an injury and it wasn't easy. I don't know if it was the best thing to do but I wanted to play.

"Now I'm playing without pain, but there are always some problems."

He added: "We're in the quarter-final of the Champions League, a step away from the Copa del Rey final and in a good place in the league, although it could be better.

"It's certainly nothing to be crying about."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Lionel Messi admits England's four contenders in the Champions League pose the biggest threat to Barcelona in this season's competition.

The Catalan giants avoided any of the English sides in the quarter-finals draw after being paired with German outfit Schalke.

Messi is a big fan of Premier League football and he is confirmed admirer of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The diminutive playmaker acknowledges United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal will be Barca's biggest rivals for Europe's premier competition.

Special players"Manchester United and Milan are very good; Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka are great players who I watch a lot," Messi told the Sky Sports Magazine "The other top English teams - Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool - are capable of success too, because they have special players like Cesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres.

"The best Premier League clubs also have the experience of doing well in the Champions League."

Messi has been rated as the best player in the world, but the 20-year-old says that title belongs to much-maligined Barca team-mate Ronaldinho.

"I'm reluctant to name names, because Barca is about being a team - but I consider Ronaldinho to be the world's best player," added Messi.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) Juande Ramos' dream of a UEFA Cup hat-trick ended despite a stunning Dimitar Berbatov volley as Tottenham crashed out on penalties against PSV Eindhoven in Holland .

Ramos has endured a few scares winning the competition with Sevilla in the past two seasons - goalkeeper Andres Palop scored at this stage a year ago - and this time Berbatov came to his rescue.

The Bulgarian's ferocious drive canceled out PSV's advantage from the first leg before the shoot-out, with PSV earning a place in the quarter-finals after Jermaine Jenas and Pascal Chimbonda failed from the spot.

Ramos tried everything to get the better of PSV but his luck in this competition finally ran out.

The Spaniard won the first of his UEFA Cups by defeating Middlesbrough at Eindhoven's ground and although he wanted a repeat performance from Spurs, the first leg at White Hart Lane suggested it would never be as one sided.

Ramos' way around the stubborn Dutch champions was attempting new formations, starting with Didier Zokora as a holding midfielder and Jenas, returning from a twisted ankle picked up in the first leg, part of a trio in the centre.

The narrow approach meant there was no room for winger Aaron Lennon, who has been rested under Ramos twice but never dropped.

Earning a reputation as a man cannot be second-guessed, Ramos also brought Young-Pyo Lee in at left-back for his first appearace since Janaury.

Ramos spoke on the eve of the match about how the South Korea full-back had fallen down the pecking order - but under the Spaniard only the unpredictable can be expected.

When the new formation did not yield success, Ramos changed it again and again until Spurs were back in the match, although it did take Berbatov's moment of magic.

PSV had last weekend to rest after a police strike meant their clash against Ajax was called off, but their fresh players were hardly making the running and their most effective man was midfield destroyer Timmy Simons.

Berbatov created Spurs' first genuine chance when he charged down a clearance from Carlos Salcido. The ball was squared to Steed Malbranque but the finish was just wide of Gomes' near post.

From a corner, taken by Jenas, skipper Ledley King was found at the near post and flashed a header across the face of Gomes' goal - but it was a frustrating first half for Spurs.

Jenas picked up a booking for a trip on Jason Culina, ruling him out of Spurs' next European game, while King picked one up for a foul on former Liverpool full-back Jan Kromkamp.

Things changed for Spurs at the break when Ramos altered his tactics. He brought on Darren Bent for Lee, and the substitute wasted a glorious opportunity within two minutes.

Robbie Keane was slipped through by Malbranque and supplied a reverse pass - but Bent's shot lacked power and Gomes was able to claim at the second attempt.

PSV had an even better chance in the 55th minute. They fooled Spurs with a short free-kick and Culina chipped into the danger area. Offside players ran backwards, allowing Danny Koevermans a sight of goal from five yards out - but he miskicked his effort.

Berbatov got on the end of Tom Huddlestone's free-kick but glanced his header wide, before King was replaced by Lennon.

With the game opening up, Paul Robinson had to save at full-stretch from Ibrahim Afellay after a mix-up between Jenas and Zokora offered a chance. He would have had little chance if Jefferson Farfan's free-kick had not curled just wide.

Spurs then started going for broke. Bent raced through but squared to Keane rather than taking a shot himself.

Keane then looped a header over the crossbar and almost took advantage when Gomes decided to chest a ball rather than use his hands - but PSV were able to clear.

It was Berbatov's moment of brilliance, in the 82nd minute, which sent the game into extra-time. He met Chimbonda's driven cross with a first-time volley on the edge of the area that left Gomes with no chance.

Berbatov could have won the game with a volley in extra-time, as could Malbranque, but it went to penalties - and ended in heartbreak for the Premier League side.

Robinson saved Danko Lazovic's spot-kick but Gomes also saved from Jenas and Chimbonda went wide to send PSV through.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Inter Milan players were left stunned by coach Roberto Mancini's announcement he will leave the club in the summer.

Despite having a four-year contract with the Nerazzurri, Mancini announced his wish to leave the club shortly after his team's elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Liverpool last night.

Although Mancini revealed he had made up his mind prior to the European encounter, his players could not believe the news.

"I didn't know anything about this," said striker Julio Cruz. "But then again in the heat of the moment many things are said.

"Obviously it's his decision and I don't know what he is thinking, it's difficult to say something.

"We just have to look ahead and end the campaign in the best possible way."

Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso is hopeful Mancini will reconsider.

"We must remain calm and not make any comments on the spur of the moment," he said.

"From what I heard, he said the word 'probably', so we will try to rest and then think about this some more in the coming days when we've all cooled down.

"We are disappointed just as he is."

The 43-year-old coach joined Inter from Lazio in 2004 and led the club to back-to-back Serie A titles in 2006 and 2007.

Inter, who only last weekend celebrated their centenary, are still on course to win two trophies.

The Nerazzurri lead the Serie A standings with a six-point advantage over Scudetto hopefuls Roma with 11 games remaining, and will take on Lazio next month in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

Reports in Italy have linked Jose Mourinho to the Inter hotseat in recent weeks, while Liverpool's Rafael Benitez has also been rumoured to be a candidate for a San Siro switch in the summer.

However, former Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli believes Mancini's decision may not be a definite one.

"Perhaps it's just a way to ask the club to give him a boost in confidence," said Vialli.

"Mancini had put his future in the hands of (Inter president Massimo) Moratti and now it's Inter's turn to do something."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) Sir Alex Ferguson claims that the Premier League is "the best in Europe" after all four sides reached the Champions League quarterfinals.

England has become the first country to have four teams in the last eight of the Champions League after Liverpool defeated Inter Milan in Italy to join Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in Friday's draw.

Ferguson told MUTV: "The Premier League is the strongest in Europe.

"For a spell it was the Spanish league - I remember about seven or eight years ago they had three teams in the semi-finals.

"Spanish football was really strong but I think the English game has now reached that level.

"We now have a 40% chance of being drawn against an English team, which is a measure of the quality of this division."

United have never experienced an all-English tie in the Champions League but the manager is relaxed about that possible scenario.

He said: "Once the format changed and three or four teams from each country were allowed into the competition, it was inevitable that they would face each other at some point.

"So I am always geared to playing against an English team. It doesn't matter who we get in the quarter-finals.

"Knowing who you'll get in the semi-finals as well is an incentive, but we'll take what we get."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

(Soccer365.com) Liverpool marched into the Champions League quarter-finals after Fernando Torres' second-half goal gave them a 1-0 win over 10-man Inter Milan.

The Reds - who have joined Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the last eight - went into the second leg at the San Siro with a 2-0 lead from the Anfield showdown, so won the tie 3-0 on aggregate.

Inter's task was always a tough one against their well-drilled visitors, but it was made even harder when Nicolas Burdisso was harshly shown a second yellow by referee Tom Ovrebo following a goalless first half.

The dismissal prompted Liverpool to be more adventurous and their attacking intent was rewarded on 64 minutes when Spain hitman Torres skilfully controlled a left-wing cross, swivelled on a sixpence and steered a low right-footed shot past goalkeeper Julio Cesar for his 26th goal of the season.

The game started at a frenetic pace, with Inter controlling the early possession and going close when Julio Cruz's 20-yard drive was saved at full stretch by the impressive Jose Reina.

Jamie Carragher was being kept busy on his 100th European appearance for the Reds, and Cruz was again the dangerman on 30 minutes but steered an angled drive wide of the upright.

The prolific Torres drew a fine near-post save from Cesar at close range and Dirk Kuyt scuffed a shot wide of the target as the visitors threatened on the counter-attack.

But after the break, Burdisso's harsh dismissal - after he had tussled for the ball with Lucas Leiva - reduced Inter to 10 men once again following Marco Materazzi's dismissal in the first leg on Merseyside.

Torres produced a moment of real class to break the deadlock and then set up Steven Gerrard on 68 minutes, only for the Reds skipper to sidefoot his effort straight at the grateful Cesar.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic surged into the 18-yard box on 79 minutes but scooped a left-footed strike high over the crossbar to ensure Inter crashed out of European's elite competition with barely a whimper.

The full quarter-final line-up: Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Fenerbahce, Liverpool, Manchester United, Roma and Schalke.

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(Soccer365.com) David Beckham once again underlined his belief his international career is far from over as the midfielder looks set for an England recall.

The 32-year-old's days seemed numbered when new manager Fabio Capello excluded him from his first squad against Switzerland last month due to fitness concerns.

Doubts were also raised that playing an inferior standard of football in MLS for Los Angeles Galaxy and a potentially gruelling trans-Atlantic schedule would count against Beckham in the future.

But Capello revealed on Wednesday that Beckham is in contention to win his 100th England cap in the friendly against France on March 26, although the Italian will assess the former Real Madrid midfielder again when Los Angeles Galaxy play FC Dallas on March 15.

Beckham believes the Paris encounter will not prove to be his last England appearance.

"I believe I can play for my country for a good few more years yet, that's just me being honest," he said.

"I believe that I can still play at that level. The standard is slightly different in the US but it's not as low as everybody thinks.

"We've got some very good teams and very good players and we play some really good football so we'll just have to wait and see."

Capello had previously told England fans Beckham 'will get his 100th cap if he is fit and in form' against France.

And the Galaxy midfielder revealed he never despaired over his international future having been reassured by the Italian he was in his plans to face Raymond Domenech's side.

"He said that once I'm back playing and if I'm fit and I'm playing well enough, then he'll pick me," said Beckham.

"The first game after he took charge I hadn't played any games and he explained that to me. I've played three games so far now and got through them all.

"Fitness-wise I'll be perfect but it's about performing and hopefully I'll do that."

Beckham confirmed he will be fit to face a South China Invitational side on Sunday - when Galaxy wrap up a three-match Asian tour in Hong Kong - after sustaining a slight knock in the 3-0 win over Shanghai Hong Kong United.

And if he does join Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright as only the fifth player to pass the century mark for England, he admitted it will be one of the proudest moments of a career that has seen him claim domestic titles in England and Spain as well as winning the Champions League.

"Reaching 100 games and reaching 100 caps is very special," he said.

"Being a proud Englishmen, it's something that I've always wanted to do since I was a young boy.

"I've always wanted to play for my country, I've always wanted to captain my country and I've always wanted to reach 100 games because there's not many players that have done that.

"It would be a proud moment if I did that but at the moment I'm working hard on my fitness and working hard with the Galaxy and if I get the 100th cap then great."

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(Soccer365.com) Steven Gerrard described free-scoring Fernando Torres as "frightening" after Liverpool finally started to live up to their captain's demands.

The 4-0 win over West Ham sent Liverpool back into the Premier League top four and saw Torres score his second hat-trick in successive home games, with his overall total for the season now 24 goals in 33 matches.

Consecutive home hat-tricks have not been achieved by a Liverpool player since 1946, and only four players in their history have managed such a feat.

"Fernando is frightening. From the opening home game of the season to Chelsea when he scored a cracker, he has been consistent all the way," said Gerrard.

"He got off to a good start then and now he has hit 18 Premier League goals, the first person to do that here since Michael Owen. So far so good and hopefully he can continue like this right to the end of the season.

"He has pace, power and is very direct but the most important thing for us is his work rate. He hasn't come here as a star, he is chipping in with his work as well and when you get that from a player as well you cannot ask for much more."

But the true achievement after three straight league wins was that the demanding standards set out by Gerrard in his angry interview last week are at last being met by the inconsistent Anfield side.

Gerrard, who took his own tally for the campaign to 18 with the fourth against the Hammers, said: "I know I called for an improvement recently and the way the performances have gone I am obviously pleased.

"We were all disappointed with the inconsistency at home but against West Ham we started to put that right.

"It was a good team performance, I said well done to all of them. But we have another big game on Saturday and we must keep doing this right to the end of the season.

"There is still a lot of pressure on us to get fourth place. This is now a massive month for us, it will be tough all the way now.

"It is important for us to continue our league form. We have won the last three and if we can beat Newcastle on Saturday we will be able to focus on a huge game away to Inter Milan on Tuesday. That's so important for us now."

Torres has already eclipsed the top scorers at Liverpool over the last four campaigns.

Last season it was Peter Crouch (18) and previously Gerrard (23), Milan Baros (13) and Michael Owen (19) topped the list.

Owen's two hauls of 28 in both the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons are now Torres' next targets.

Whether he can get anywhere near the levels of Robbie Fowler, who hit 31, 36 and 31 in successive campaigns in the mid-90s is doubtful.

But on current form even that is not impossible for the 23 year-old Spaniard, who has scored 12 in his last 11 league games.

He was informed after the game his double hat-trick at home was last achieved by Jack Balmer 62 years ago, prompting him to say: "I only learned of the record after the game and it is a big honour for me.

"This club has a wonderful history so to be a part of that is very special and it is something I am very proud of.

"But it is also a record for everyone at the club because it would be impossible for me to score goals if it was not for my team-mates, the manager, the coaching staff, everyone."

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(Soccer365.com) Jose Mourinho has warned Chelsea he is out to "kill them" when he returns to management, even though the club will be 'in his heart forever'.

The former Blues boss reiterated his love for the club he managed for more than three years before his sensational departure in September.

But he is desperate to meet them in Champions League combat next season and knock them out of Europe.

"I hope to play them next season in the Champions League," said the Portuguese coach. "If I play them in the Champions League, I want to go there and kill them - that's my message."

Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant, who had originally been brought to Stamford Bridge as director of football.

He refused to express an opinion on his successor, saying: "I feel nothing for him, I feel everything for the club, but not for him personally.

"I still feel Chelsea is a part of me, I'll have Chelsea in my heart forever.

"I left and for five months you couldn't get a bad word from me in relation to the club and you cannot do it in the future too."

Mourinho's departure was shrouded in mystery, with the build-up dominated by rumours of a fall-out with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

But he revealed he and the Russian had kept in contact and were on good terms.

"I think it was last week that I spoke with people from the club," he said.

"I was speaking with Mr Abramovich and (chief executive) Peter Kenyon because we still keep in touch.

"I was telling them I wish them always good, I wish them always to succeed, I wish them always to win."

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(Soccer365.com) AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has reiterated his desire to take Chelsea flop Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro this summer.

Brazil striker Ronaldo is likely to be sidelined until November after undergoing surgery on ruptured knee ligaments in Paris last month.

And Berlusconi believes Chelsea's former Milan favourite Shevchenko can fill the void.

He said: "I think regularly about Shevchenko and I often speak to him.

"The fans would understand that this would be the ideal choice for us. He is a player who is ready to help and for us that would be the ideal solution.

"I don't think that (Chelsea owner Roman) Abramovich will have a problem in letting him go."

Shevchenko became Milan's second all-time leading goalscorer in a glorious seven-year spell which ended in the summer of 2006 when he joined Chelsea for £30million.

However, he has failed to shine at Stamford Bridge, although his record of 21 goals in 53 appearances is still respectable.

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(Soccer365.com) Nine-time winners Real Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League after losing 2-1 at home to Roma tonight.

The Italians led 2-1 from the first leg - and despite a goalless first half, the hosts' task was made more difficult when Pepe was sent off for a challenge on the edge of his penalty area in the 71st minute.

Two minutes later Roma's Rodrigo Taddei put the Italians further ahead in the tie - and although Raul gave Real hope soon afterwards, Mirko Vucinic's 90th-minute goal made it 4-2 on aggregate to end Madrid's interest in Europe.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) The Football Association are close to sealing an agreement for a friendly between England and the USA at Wembley on May 28.

It is understood that talks with US soccer chiefs have reached an advanced stage and that the match is highly likely to take place.

The FA are also expected to play a friendly in the Caribbean against Trinidad and Tobago in early June.

A friendly against the USA would inevitably lead to hopes that David Beckham would play for England in order to boost interest in the match in the States.

If Beckham is not picked by England manager Fabio Capello for the friendly against France in Paris later this month then the May date would be the next opportunity for the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder to win his 100th cap.

Capello said recently that Beckham would be part of his plans if he is match fit and playing well.

The France game takes place before the start of the Major League Soccer season so Beckham will only have had pre-season matches under his belt.

The last time England played the USA was in a friendly in Chicago in May 2005.

Kieran Richardson, now at Sunderland, scored both goals for England and Clint Dempsey, currently playing for Fulham, netted for the home side.

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(Soccer365.com) Volkan Demirel was the hero for Fenerbahce as they advanced from a penalty shoot-out into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

After 90 minutes Sevilla led 3-2 to cancel out the first-leg deficit and make the scores 5-5 on aggregate, and with no goals in extra time it was left to visiting goalkeeper Volkan, who saved from Julien Escude, Ivica Dragutinovic and Dani Alves.

Volkan had earlier gifted Sevilla a two-goal lead within nine minutes, as four goals were scored in a pulsating first half.

He failed to deal with long-range efforts by Dani Alves and Seydou Keita, and although Brazilian forward Deivid pulled a goal back for Fenerbahce on 20 minutes, Sevilla restored a two-goal advantage with a deflected Frederic Kanoute shot just before half time.

Deivid pounced for his second with 11 minutes left, and with no more goals after extra time it was left to Volkan to make amends for his earlier errors.

He saved Sevilla's second penalty from Escude, and although Palop kept out Edu Dracena's powerful effort in response, Volkan then stopped Enzo Moresca's blasted shot and punched away Alves' powerful effort to send the Turkish side through.

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(Soccer365.com - Mark Walsh) Mexican football can be notoriously difficult to predict. Full of colorful characters and unexpected pit stops, the topsy-turvy Clausura 2008 tournament looks to be a case in point.

All 18 teams retain realistic hopes of stepping on the gas to make the playoffs, while at least three need to get in gear soon to avoid taking a wrong turn to relegation.

At the top of the table, the standout fixture of Week 8 in the Primera División pitted the unbeaten record of early pacesetters Guadalajara against Cruz Azul, sitting in fourth place. Saturday’s match between two of the more venerable clubs in Mexican football was given a bit of extra spice after Guadalajara owner Jorge Vergara baited the capital city side with claims they were “a long way” from beating his beloved Goats.

If there was ever a Dick Dastardly in the Primera División, Vergara’s motor-mouth would make him a prime candidate. In the end, however, the media tycoon’s taunts seemed to have more effect on the Cement Men of Cruz Azul than his own team. Although Chivas enjoyed better possession and territory, the Light Blues were determined to avoid defeat in front of a full-house home crowd at Estadio Azul and Guadalajara’s dangerous attack was kept well in check.

The pattern was set as early as the third minute, when Chivas forward Sergio Santana blasted a good early chance into the chest of home defender Joaquín Beltrán. Youngster Fabián de la Mora followed that miss by shooting wide of Oscar Pérez’s right hand post on the half hour mark and Chivas best chances of the game were gone. Cruz Azul’s Uruguayan coach Sergio Markarián introduced compatriot Nicolás Vigneri in the second half, but the Cementeros’ attitude was best summed up by the clenched fist celebration of defender Beltrán when his late block on Chivas’ Bravo ensured the scoreline remained blank.

In truth, considering the way the Mexican league is divided into groups, the draw should have surprised nobody. A point each ensured both teams stayed in the hunt at the top of Group One, maintained Chivas’ unbeaten start and allowed the Guadalajara squad to look to the crunch clash with Brazilian side Santos in the Copa Libertadores. A share of the spoils also permitted Cruz Azul to insist they are closer to their rivals than Vergara´s big mouth might proclaim.

With the table-toppers ultimately disappointing, the stage was set for an intriguing match between two other giants of the Mexican game. The UANL Tigers of Monterrey and Mexico’s biggest club América have shared more than just their yellow and blue kit colours recently. Despite paying some of the biggest wages in the national game, both are toiling at the wrong end of the general table and have fired a coach in the last couple of weeks. Tigers have the added burden of sitting towards the bottom of the percentage tables, meaning relegation remains a real threat for the Northerners.

Nonetheless, since new coach Manuel Lapuente took over following a humiliating 6-1 reverse against Pachuca three weeks ago, Tigres have shown definite signs of recovery. The vastly experienced Lapuente is an interesting anomaly among Mexican coaches. Famed for his flat caps and studious style, “Manolo” has an envious record in the Primera Division. After a twenty-odd year career, including five Mexican titles – one with America – and two stints in charge of the national team, Lapuente was enjoying semi-retirement as a director with the Eagles until he decided he missed the cut and thrust of management.

América’s administrative loss seems to be Tigres immediate gain. After overseeing two promising draws at home to Chivas and away to reigning champions Atlante, Lapuente put his inside knowledge of América to devastating use in the Estadio Universitario on Saturday evening. Loading the right side by picking Fabián Cubero to support Javier Saavedra and keeping faith in Emmanuel Cerda to keep the left flank occupied, Lapuente completely out-thought his opposite number Rubén Omar Romano on the América bench.

Within three minutes, Lucas Lobos had crashed a brilliant free-kick against the crossbar for Hugo Sanchez Guerrero to guide the rebound into the unguarded goal with a careful header. Buoyed by the early lead, Tigres stuck to their game plan, looked dangerous on the break and doubled their lead just before half-time. Cerda managed to poke the ball through to Panamanian striker Blas Pérez, who poked the ball forward and fell heavily under a challenge from América custodian Navarrete. Although replays suggested a crafty piece of playacting from the big Tigers forward, referee Manuel Morales pointed to the spot and Lobos got the goal his all-round play deserved.

Apart from the occasional flash of brilliance from Paraguayan talisman Salvador Cabañas, América were pitifully short of inspiration. By the time substitute Gastón Fernández had cheekily chipped home a second penalty – awarded for an indisputable late challenge from Diego Cervantes on Lucas Ayala – the Americanistas were already filing out of the stadium in disgust. The 3-0 mauling left América joint bottom of the general table and suffering the second worst start to a season ever as a full-blown crisis took hold in Coapa. Having just been appointed, Romano will surely be safe for a few more weeks - particularly with relegation practically impossible this time round – but the Argentine coach fooled nobody with his fighting talk after Saturday’s result: “I feel the team is getting better,” he argued. “We lacked the final touch and the result was deceptive.”

Despite Romano’s brave face, the only stain on an otherwise satisfying evening for Tigres came with news that relegation rivals Veracruz had sneaked a surprise victory away to Necaxa courtesy of a Claudio Graf goal on the hour mark. The result kept afloat the Red Sharks hopes of surviving in the top division, though they still lay bottom according to the percentages table.

With Chivas stalling against Cruz Azul, Santos Laguna had an extra reason to go for a win against Northern rivals Rayados in Sunday’s Group Two match-up. Not only would a win put clear daylight between the Torreón-based club and other group rivals, three points would also close the gap to Guadalajara at the top of the general standings. First half goals from Christian Benítez and Vicente Matías Vuoso ensured the dominant Saints got the victory they deserved, while inconsistent Monterrey were left to lick their wounds ahead of next week’s city derby with the resurgent Tigres.

University-based sides UAG Tecos and UNAM Pumas pitted their roller-coaster form against each other in Guadalajara on Friday night, with a double-strike from Argentine striker Esteban Solari guaranteeing victory despite a consolation goal from Sebastián “Chamagol” González five minutes before the end. Elsewhere in Group One, second half goals from Fernando Salazar and Carlos Rodriguez gave Pachuca a valuable win against group leaders Toluca on Sunday to move within two points of their hosts.

Meanwhile, Puebla’s loss away to Atlas on Saturday hauled them back into the relegation picture. A brace from Jorge Daniel Achucarro did the damage for Atlas despite a late reply from Joaquín Velázquez, allowing the Guadalajara-based Foxes to leapfrog Monterrey into second place in Group Two.

San Luís continued a quietly promising first half to the season with two late strikes from Eduardo Coudet and Tressor Moreno ensuring the Gladiators took full advantage of three red cards shown to rivals Atlante in Saturday’s showdown at the Estadio Alfonso Lastra Ramírez. The win moved Raúl Arias’ San Luís team into second place in Group Three. The same afternoon, the Monarchs of Morelia stayed in the hunt for qualification from the same section with a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over struggling Chiapas club Jaguars.

Mark Walsh is a freelance journalist based in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey. A graduate of Cambridge University, he trained with the Express & Star evening newspaper, in Wolverhampton, England. Mark has written for magazines and websites such as FourFourTwo and ESPN as well as publications including The Times newspaper, Asahi Evening News, in Japan, and El Norte newspaper, in Mexico. He specialises in articles on world soccer in general and the Mexican game in particular.

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(Soccer365.com) Roma boss Luciano Spalletti is counting on captain Francesco Totti to propel the Giallorossi into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Spalletti's troops head into Wednesday's return leg of their last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu with a 2-1 advantage after the first leg in Rome.

Roma are in buoyant mood after reducing the gap to Serie A leaders Internazionale to six points with a thumping 4-0 win over Parma on Saturday, and are now bidding to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the second year in a row.

"This is the biggest game of the season for both teams," Spalletti said. "It's a fascinating and delicate encounter.

"To play for a place in the quarter-finals against Real Madrid is spellbinding for any coach."

And Spalletti has no doubt who will be Roma's talisman on Wednesday night.

"We have Totti," he said. "Totti creates light, creative play and assists, Totti is Totti, he is the soul of Roma."

Spalletti believes Brazil striker Robinho will be the man Roma need to contain if they are to eliminate the Spanish champions.

Robinho missed the opening leg through injury but returned on Saturday to score twice after appearing as a second-half substitute in the 3-2 win against Recreativo Huelva.

"Real have a great player in Robinho," said Spalletti. "He is football, he has quality and a great touch."

The Roma coach added that he will not instruct his players to try and sit on their narrow advantage from the first leg.

"We cannot go into the game with the focus of trying to stop Real from scoring," he said. "We must score because if we try to control the first leg result it will be a disaster."

Roma welcome back defender Juan, who missed the first leg with a foot injury, while Spalletti will have to do without Marco Cassetti, who has a dislocated shoulder.

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(Soccer365.com) Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas admits gaining three points from the trip to Recreativo Huelva was the only thing that really mattered.

With four defeats in their previous five outings and Barcelona having cut their league advantage from nine points to two, Real Madrid's season was in serious danger of imploding as they traveled south-west to Huelva on Saturday night.

Bernd Schuster's men had lost on their previous three visits to Andalusia - going down to Real Betis, Almeria and Sevilla - and it looked set to be another long night when lowly Recre took a 17th-minute lead through Martin Caceres.

But captain Raul drew Real level soon after and then two second-half goals from substitute Robinho helped seal a 3-2 victory in a fiery match that also saw three players sent off.

For Casillas, it was all about the points: "The team needed to win. This was the important thing and it doesn't matter how it was done, whether it was by playing well or badly."

The victory means Real now boast a five-point gap over second-placed Barcelona, who fell to a 4-2 defeat at Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid.

It also gives Real a huge boost heading into what could be a crucial week where they will try to overturn a 2-1 Champions League deficit against Roma and then host fifth-placed Espanyol in the league.

"We're happy with the result and with the one at the Calderon. We're back on the winning track and it has enabled us to recover some self-esteem ahead of the matches against Roma and Espanyol," added Casillas on his club's website.

The Spain international goalkeeper insisted they will not be getting carried away with the victory though, adding: "Now we have to be cautious. The league is not decided. The important thing is that we won again and got some confidence back.

"The league isn't won yet, it's won in May."

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