Thursday 9th of December

The Final 16 have been decided in the Champions League, Tottenham, Inter Milan, Schalke 04, Lyon, Manchester United, Valencia, Barcelona, FC Copenhagen, Bayern Munich, Roma, Chelsea, Marseille, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Shaktar Donetsk, Arsenal.

Looking at the teams that made it through I would have to pick Man U, Barcelona, Chelsea, Real Madrid as the favorites to make it to the final. Bayern Munich has the talent but hasn't always played good football this year, AC Milan could prove a formidable foe if the Brazilian trio of Ronaldihno, Robinho, and Pato can get on the same page as Zlatan.

In Sounders news there is a lot to pass on, the weekly news and notes revealed that Freddy Montero has been nominated as "Sports Star of the Year" and you can Vote for Montero. The notes also tell us that the Seattle Sounders are hosting open tryouts January 29-30 at Starfire, I smell a comeback!! The Sounders voted Ozzie Alonso as MVP and James Riley Defender of the Year. One last bit of trivia December 11th Marks 37 years since Seattle was awarded a top flight team in the NASL.

The Inaugural MLS Re-entry Draft took place yesterday, there were over 30 players available to be taken. Only 2 players were drafted this round, next week in round 2 there will be a lot more movement because players contracts don't have to be honored this round.


Arsenal vs. Partizan Belgrade (UCL) 3-1



Paulo di Canio has been on both sides of the law, he pushed a Referee (The Ref totally faked the fall)after being red carded while playing for Sheffield Wednesday against Arsenal. On the good side of the law in 2001, he won the "FIFA Fair Play Award". The previous December, in a match against Everton, in a noteworthy display of sportsmanship, Di Canio shunned a goal scoring opportunity and caught the ball from a cross instead as the Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard was lying injured on the ground after he twisted his knee attempting a clearance on the edge of the box. FIFA described the act as "a special act of good sportsmanship", I am more of a fan of Mr. Di Canio for the goals he scores, they can be pure magic!!


Could the Citrus ball be the next step, winner of the Red Dot concept award, is a sensor-enabled soccer ball that lights up in different colors when it's tossed out of bounds, scores a goal or falls into the crosshairs of a foul and includes a camera and speed positioning sensors to track ball movements and stats. GPS and RFID chips are enclosed in the skeletal structure which is covered in a reinforced-elastic mesh and has the same bounce, feel of a regulation soccer ball. It does not require air. The ball was developed by Mexican studio AGENT, headed by Alberto Villarreal and Michael Rojkind. via Fast Company


The world of soccer has many awards but the Ballon d'Or is acknowledged as the highest award given to a soccer player. Well if we were to look for the lowest award handed out to a soccer player it would be the "Bidone d'Oro" known as the golden garbage can.

Marseille vs. Chelsea (UCL) 1-0


Soccer games are 90 minutes long and in only a few different occasions is overtime played. In England the 2nd game of an FA cup tie a winner has to be decided so they will play overtime, Leyton Orient vs. Droylesden finished 2-2. The game finished 8-2 with 2 players netting hattricks both in extra time!


Real Madrid vs. Auxere (UCL) 4-0 (Hattrick Benzema)


American growth in the "Beautiful Game" has been on a steady rise since 1989 when the USA qualified for their first World Cup in 40 years. Since that "Shot heard round the World" took place the USA has developed players and leagues faster than any other. What has been slower is the USA's ability to develop a professional rank of coaches, but over the last 5 years America's first generation of home grown soccer players have started to retire and enter the ranks of coaches, critics, and announcers.


Ajax vs. AC Milan (UCL) 2-0


A small revelation has taken place in Eastern Europe over the last decade, they have found out that the "Boys from Brazil" don't melt in rain or snow! This has caught on in the Middle East also and come 2022 in Qatar either the rules will have been changed or we will be seeing a player named "Ronaldihno al Wadhi"


Bayern Munich vs. Basel (UCL) 3-0


Being as it is close to the end of the year it is time for the "Best of 2010" list, I didn't write it, I only read it, and I sorta liked it, I will write something and have it ready closer to the end of the year so until then don't hold your breath!!


CFR Cluj vs. AS Roma (UCL) 1-1


Landon Donovan proved he could hang with the Big Boys of World Soccer last year when he played for Everton in the EPL, he scored, he assisted, and most importantly he proved he could play. Can he do it again or does he need a break?


Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Braga (UCL) 2-0


Sepp Blatter has alot of power and with that power comes a certain ego. The English press as I have pointed out previously don't back down, Sepp has decided to push back a little and tell England "They are Bad Losers"


Spartak Moscow vs. Zilina (UCL) 2-1