The New Footie Thread

I was sure I was going to see a Rangers Championship banner festooning this thread when I opened it up, Caissa.

Now would that be sporting?

No, this would be sporting:

I knew you would pick up on my pun. I almost postede "Lisbon" in my last post. Do I dare say i must be racing...

I think I saw Toronto FC go down by two goals yesterday against "Real Salt Lake." That is a werid name for a sports club.

Anyway, Manchester United won today, but LIverpool lost to Chelsea, which means the latter will probably end up winning the title next week. That's the worst thing that could happen.

More exciting is the race for the last Champions League spot--Tottenham Hotspur and Man City face each other, with the winner going through. I think City keeps it if they draw.

Oh yeah, and the Champiions League Final is Jose Mourinho's Inter against a Ribéry-less Bayern Munich. Boring, but I guess I'll be pulling for the Bavarians.

Tottenham Hotspur from North London has qualified for the champions league for the first time in their history. Moneybags City missed out :(

Great to see Chelsea win in style. My favourite English Football teams: Liverpool and whoever keeps Man U from winning the Premiership.

Did Liverpool field a team this year? I must have missed it... ;)

They were emulating Hibs.

Hmm, well they didn't do a very good job. Hibs are going to Europe. 'Pool--well, they can keep their passports in storage. Glory to the Hibees!

Hibs will have a wee cup a tay in Europe, eh?

Yeah, although our last foray into Europe we lost our first tie against some Norwegian team by a large margin. Although, you never know! Maybe we'll meet Liverpool in the UEFA Cup final.

And we drink Buckfast, not tea, in Europe.

How about some football songs?

Mano Negra Santa Maradona

I couldn't find this one on YouTube, but I did find lyrics for Footballeur Du Dimanche [15] by Les Negresses Vertes.

I love the early Manu Chao clip!

Here's one with significantly less groove: Ally's Tartan Army.

Und für die Deutschen:

Cue the World Cup commercials.

This new Nike Commercial, directed by Oscar-nominated Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel, 21 Grams), is pretty good.

Write the Future.

It's definitely on par with the famous Ronaldo-Airport schtick from '98. [19]

After all, isn't selling sportswear what the World Cup is realy about?

Toronto FC should have a good chance to take the three points from New England tomorrow.

TFC secured the three points.

Canada didn't fair so well against Argentina yesterday in their Friendly.

Argentina 5 Canada 0

Rafa Benitez is on the verge of leaving as Liverpool manager after six years with the club, British media reported Thursday.

The Spaniard was reportedly in talks with the club and his agent to discuss a compensation deal worth three million pounds ($4.6 million Cdn) for him to depart with immediate effect.

Benitez has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Inter Milan following Jose Mourinho's departure for Real Madrid.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/06/03/sp-liverpool-benitez.html#ixzz0pnZNT7vV

Yeah, the situation at Liverpool doesn't look good, and it's only slightly better at Man Utd. Liverpool already lost Xavi Alonso last year, will lose Fernando Torres (the best striker in the game imo) and maybe even Steven Gerrard this year, and look to be losing Benitez as well. They're out of a Champion's League position in seventh (after finishing second last year!) and so can't attract big name talent, and wil lose the attendant lucrative television contracts. They have American owners who care little about football and look in no hurry to fix things.

Man U, on the other hand, are starting to crumble under the multi-hundred-million pound debt with which the American Glazer family purchased the club a few years ago. With the economic crisis, that debt is looking more and more untenable. They only broke even last year because they sold Cristiano Ronaldo for £90 million, so this year their business model is exposed as seriously flawed. They can't afford to buy the players they need to compete with Chelsea and Man City, let alone in the Champion's League. Sir Alex Ferguson, who needs only one more title to surpass Liverpool's record, looks like he will finish his career at Man U an also-ran.

One week until World Cup kickoffs bringing a month of pure football delight.

Thousands of soccer fans stampeded outside a South Africa stadium Sunday before an exhibition game between Nigeria and North Korea, leaving 15 people injured, including one police officer who was seriously hurt.

Several fans fell under the rush of people, many wearing Nigeria jerseys. The Makhulong Stadium in the Johannesburg suburb seats about 12,000 fans.

The mayhem happened only five days before the start of the World Cup, the first to be held in Africa.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela will attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup, the country's sports minister has said.

Makhenkesi Stofile said the anti-apartheid icon had requested tickets for the opening and closing events.

But Nelson Mandela's family has denied he will attend the tournament which starts next week.

What terrible goaltending by England.

Terrible breakaway shot by English striker

This is considerd a loss English. Jeesh!

That was Salo-esque

Germany  put on a dazzling display today - they could win although I'm rooting for Brazil.

Australia was pathetic - perhaps they are more suited to playing a team like Canada.

--------------------- 

I agree.

Vaunted vuvuzelas ruining World Cup experience

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/vaunted-vuvuzelas-ruining-w...

South Africa: Riot police attack World Cup stewards pay protests
By Robert Stevens
16 June 2010

South African riot police responded to protests by thousands of stewards at the soccer World Cup, with tear gas attacks and rubber bullets.

The first police operation began on Sunday evening when around 500 stewards entered the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, three hours after the game between Germany and Australia. The stewards were demanding the payment of the 1,500 rand (US$197) a day they were promised. They were only paid about one eighth of that—190 rand (US$25).

At around 3 a.m., following initial negotiations over pay, about 80 of the stewards refused to leave the stadium. Riot police then set off two percussive grenades in an attempt to force the workers to leave the parking lot under the stadium. Once the workers had been forcibly removed, they were again attacked with teargas and rubber bullets in the areas immediately outside the stadium. Several people were injured, with one woman badly hurt after being shot. The operation continued later as up to 100 police surrounded a group of 300 protesters near the stadium, separating the men from the women.....

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/jun2010/safr-j16.shtml

An official with a Quebec girls soccer team has apologized to members of a Mohawk team from Kahnawake following allegations that players on his squad made racist comments during a match last weekend.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/06/18/mohawks-racism.html#ixzz0rDqP26H8

Canadian children could reap more physical benefits from participating in soccer than by lacing up skates and playing hockey, according to a University of New Brunswick researcher

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2010/06/18/nb-soccer-health-fitness-hockey-940.html#ixzz0rDrB19BY

Thierry Henry is retiring from the French national team.

The 32-year-old forward announced his decision during an interview Thursday at the offices of The Associated Press before a news conference to discuss his signing with Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/07/15/sp-henry-france.html#ixzz0tlhUdxZj

When Manchester United and Celtic leave the Rogers Centre after their exhibition soccer game Friday night, the playing surface won't be far behind them.
The domed stadium opened its doors to 18 tractor-trailer loads of sod Thursday to lay down a temporary grass field that will be returned from whence it came afterwards.


Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/07/15/sp-grass-at-rogers-centre.html#ixzz0tr7DBSWt
I hate both of these teams which should make it an easy game to watch.

Hate, Caissa? So bitter. That's the Gerry in you coming out. You should learn grudging admiration and mutual respect I learned from the sportiest, classiest club around: Hibernian FC.

Grudging admiration is for losers ie. Hibs.

Ooh! Zing!

I have to admit that during my time in the East Stands at Easter Road, if there were one word I would use to describe the mood among Hibs fans, it would be "grudging."

Cueball can't start a thread on porn but yall are still yacking about football? what?

Who stopped Cueball from starting a thread on porn? I know I didn't.

ebodyknows, I actually found your interventions in the football threads to be funny and provocative (in a good way). But now you are bordering on hectoring. There is an easy solution to your aversion to sports threads: don't read them. It's what I do whenever possible.

Sorry, I'm uninspired,deflated and disenchanted.

You really don't like cheering and booing from the audience? Come on I'm subscribed to the thread now...it takes a lot of clicking to unsubscribe. Make you're discussion inclusive for your audience.  You were getting hotter in post 56 of the windmill thread.  Give me senuality, give me the poetry of bodies moving through space, let the polyester take a back seat to the flexing of well toned football legs, let me feel the joy of being alive.

As we reach the mid-season point in Major League Soccer, it is time to take an objective look back over the first 15 games and assess how Toronto FC has done in all departments thus far

What was the point?

Even the most die-hard Toronto FC fan had to be asking that question after watching the Reds battle to a dire and uneventful shootout loss against English Premiership side Bolton Wanderers in an international friendly Wednesday night.

The teams battled to a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes of regulation, before Gary Cahill scored the decisive penalty in the shootout and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen saved Oscar Cordan's effort to lift Bolton to victory.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/07/21/sp-tfc-bolton.html#ixzz0uPgjAcku

Manchester United turned the Major League Soccer All-Star game into its own showcase of talent.

Federico Macheda had two early goals, Mexican star Javier Hernandez scored in his debut for the Red Devils, and Manchester United routed the MLS All-Stars 5-2 on Wednesday night in the final exhibition game of its North American tour.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/07/28/sp-mls-allstar.html#ixzz0v4frIToN

Kids. All kids! I fear Man U's dynasty is about to end. Can Fergie make giants of his fledgings again?

In the meantime:

Hibernian face a daunting task to keep their Europa League hopes alive after a thumping defeat by [Slovenian squad] Maribor.

Sheesh. I think I might show up the next time a Scottish league holds open try-outs. Surely I could make the Rangers reserve bench at least?

Actually you could probably start for Hibs, Catchfire. I really don't see a future for you with the Old Firm.

Football phenomenon David Beckham will no longer play for England's national team, his coach has announced, suggesting the 35-year-old superstar is too old to play.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2010/08/12/uk-beckham-soccer.html#ixzz0wOiggtUx

What's the difference  between a tea bag and England's Soccer team?

The bag stays in the cup longer!

Good bye Raymond

Lauren Blanc is a great coach, a real rising star. He did a phenomenal job with Bordeaux. He's an ex-Man Utd defender, and was pipped to take over Sir Alex Ferguson's job upon imminent retirement. Unlike England's generation of flops, with France's World Cup debacle, Blanc opted for a complete overhaul, going with young players and excitment with an eye for future tournaments. England went with the same crop of flops with their first friendly since the World Cup and celebrated like it was 1945 when they beat Hungary 2-1, a team 65 or so in the world rankings. (Whisper it: we all know England aren't that bad. There's no reason why they couldn't win Euro 2012...)

Les bleus sont entre de bonnes mains.

It used to be fun to see Blanc kiss Fabien "the eccentric French keeper" Barthez on his bald noggin before each game during Euro 2000.

Vuvuzelas banned on cultural grounds.

UEFA has banned fans from bringing vuvuzelas into stadiums for European Championship and Champions League matches.

UEFA says the plastic trumpets "are not appropriate in Europe" because they drown out fans' traditional songs and emotional responses to action on the field.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/09/01/sp-vuvuzelas-banned.html#ixzz0yIjyPZM0

The Serie A season is facing the threat of early disruption after the Italian league's players called a strike for the weekend of Sept. 25-26 in a contract dispute.

The dispute centres around a proposal by club presidents to limit players from refusing transfers, as defender Fabio Grosso recently did with Juventus following an offer from AC Milan.

The strike coincides with the season's first high-profile match, with AS Roma scheduled to host Inter Milan on Sept. 25 in a meeting of the top two clubs from last season.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/09/10/sp-serie-a-strike.html#ixzz0z8WZxMEH

Just call Christine Sinclair, "Captain Fantastic."

Sinclair scored from the penalty spot in the 54th minute to guide Canada to a 1-0 win over Mexico in Monday's CONCACAF Women's soccer final in Cancun, Mexico.

The victory delivered Canada its first CONCACAF championship since 1998, when it also beat Mexico in the final. CONCACAF is the soccer confederation covering North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Canada and Mexico had already claimed automatic berths for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup by reaching the final of the CONCACAF tournament, but continental bragging rights were still on the line in Monday's match.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/11/08/sp-concacaf-final.html#ixzz14nOvzItU

Canada finished its six games without conceding a goal and outscoring its opponents 17-0, six from Sinclair.

Hmm. If the men's team did that well, they'd be given multi ticker-tape parades.

FC United: A punk football fairytale

Catalans thrash Franco's Madrid

Barcelona sign record £25m a year shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar charity

Yet another reason why Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer in the world (throwing a bone to the anti-diving crowd as well):

Spain (well, Barcelona) is basically awesome:

!!

Personally I think Liverpool came out ahead. Torres is proving himself more and more petulant as his form deteriorates (he swore shortly after the trade that he "never kissed the Liverpool badge") and hasn't looked like his former self for over a year--with 'Pool or with Spain. Suarez, on the other hand, has looked more and more exciting since his handy World Cup performance for Uruguay and he scored off the bench on his debut. Andy Carroll isn't worth £35m (who is worth their transfer fees these days--Darren Bent went for almost £30m a week or two ago. Darren Bent!) but he's a great, strong player with lots of potential. It will be nice to see 'Pool develop with Miereles, Kuyt Gerrard, Suarez and Carroll. Now if they could only tidy up at the back...

Meanwhile, Man U finally lost after 29-league games, so Arsenal's "Invincibles" legend lives on. Arsenal, however, blew a 4-0 first half lead, the first such comeback in EPL history. What a match that was! Increasingly, it looks like no one wants to win the title, but whoever wants to lose it the least might snatch it (my money is still on Fergie's crew).

The Canadian women's soccer team has been involved in some hotly contested matches on the field over the past few years.

But the team's next big battle could be before a sports arbitrator.

Twenty-five members of the women's team have retained legal counsel in a dispute with the Canadian Soccer Association, the sport's governing body in Canada, over how they are paid.

The lawyer representing the teams said players are prepared to file a suit for arbitration with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada. At the heart of the dispute is compensation for the players.

Toronto-based lawyer Jim Bunting, lead counsel for the women, contends that the members of the Canadian men's team have a fixed-term arrangement with the CSA under which they are compensated on a per game basis. He maintains the women do not have a similar deal, and instead receive ad-hoc compensation from the CSA.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2011/02/08/sp-canada-csa-soccer.html#ixzz1DTPoCOzR

It's official: The best women's soccer players in the world are coming to Canada.

FIFA, soccer's world governing body, on Thursday officially named Canada as the host nation of the 2015 Women's World Cup, rubber-stamping its bid after Zimbabwe pulled out of the running earlier in the week.

Zimbabwe was Canada's lone opposition, so when it withdrew from the race, Canada was virtually assured of staging the competition - all that was left to do was for FIFA was to formally evaluate and approve Canada's bid.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2011/03/03/sp-womens-world-cup.html#ixzz1FYpcRcrl

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has undergone surgery on his groin and will be out for up to four weeks.

"The decision was made following consultation with a specialist," a club statement read on Friday.

The England midfielder was not part of the Reds squad which travelled to Braga for Thursday's Europa League defeat.

If he is out for a month, Gerrard will not feature for England in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on 26 March or the friendly against Ghana.

I thought this was another NFL forum...imagine my dissapointment when I realized it was Soccer...a sport thats much more fun to play than to watch.

Well enjoy that perspective while 4 billion others in the world blithely ignore it...

Poor Stevie, Caissa. Just as the Reds were starting to find their legs under prodigal son Daglish. I honestly can't believe he's doing so well--he's been out of professional coaching for like ten years!

Meanwhile, the race is back on for the EPL, after two quick losses to Chelsea and 'Pool. Boo. And I reckon neither of us want to look at the SPL standings...

I'll have to retire my Rangers scarf for the season.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables/_/league/sco.1/scottish-premier-league?cc=5901

ETA: they do have 2 games in hand on Celtic.

Interesting--it's much better than the last time I looked at the table (which has been too depressing for me lately, as you can see). Most of the press has been about the violence of the Old Firm matches--it mirrors the NHL Head Shot talks. It's shown up in parliament, in the police, in the courts--but in this case the SFA actually tried to do something.

The good news is Hibs isn't being relegated. The bad news is Hibs isn't being relegated.

4 billion...I thought it would be much more than that...

My family is British and are rabid footie fans. We have much fun in debate and mockery as to whether soccer (sorry, footbal) or hockey is better.

Up with socialist football!

Whitecaps win MLS opener over Toronto

I hope this doesn't mean I'm going to start supporting the Whitecaps. I don't have time for this shit.

It was ugly. Toronto FC needs to work on its defense before their home opener next Saturday. The second Toronto FC goal was a lvely crack.

Nikica Jelavic grabbed an extra-time winner as Rangers triumphed against Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

Rangers took the lead through Steven Davis' 20-yard strike but Joe Ledley headed Celtic level on 31 minutes.

The second half was tense with Celtic's Fraser Forster saving from Steven Whittaker and Rangers keeper Neil Alexander denying Ledley.

But Jelavic fired in off the post in the 98th minute to win it for Rangers.

Rangers' win ends Celtic's hopes of a domestic treble but, with both sides chasing the Scottish Premier League and Celtic still in the Scottish Cup, each Old Firm club remains in contention for a trophy double.

The current Scottish Premier League table.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/table/default.stm

Hibs bravely holding on to ninth. Come on you Hibs!

It looks like they will avoid relegation.

I've been down so long it looks like up to me.

The view looks great from the top of the table.

I'm sure that's what Sauron said atop Mt. Doom.

Of course, it's the title for Man Utd after the impressive win over Chelsea this weekend (who put 50 million quid on the bench). And a Champions League final rematch against Barcelona. I like our chances.

Have 'Pool made it back into the Premier league yet?

Currently sitting in 6th place a think. How would one compare that to Hibs 9th place in the SPL, I wonder?

It depends. Do Hibs get the Reds' training ground, stadium and bankroll in the bargain too?

You'll never walk alone...

Doesn't that post belong in the redistribution of wealth/grades thread, Catchfire?

Six FIFA executive committee members were accused of ethical misconduct in the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups during a British parliamentary hearing into football on Tuesday.

Member of Parliament Damian Collins said unpublished evidence from a newspaper investigation shows that Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast were paid $1.5 million to vote for Qatar. The Gulf nation beat the United States in the final round of voting for the 2022 tournament in December.

The conduct of Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi in the 2018 contest was described as "improper and unethical" by the former head of England's bid.

The allegations were made in the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the House of Commons, which is looking at England's failed bid for the 2018 World Cup as part of a wider inquiry into football governance.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2011/05/10/sp-fifa-blatter.html#ixzz1LyPa3EUw

Madjid Bougherra, Allan McGregor and Sasa Papac all hope to remain with Rangers next season despite speculation about their futures at Ibrox.

Veteran captain David Weir has hinted that he might want to extend his stay.

And outgoing manager Walter Smith has predicted that striker Nikica Jelavic will not be sold during the summer.

"I don't think it would be the brightest thing for the new owner to sell one of our best players," said Smith after Rangers' title win.

"Especially when everyone expects him to spend money."

Rangers secured the title on the final day of the season with a 5-1 hammering of Kilmarnock to finish a point ahead of Celtic and Smith paid tribute to the part played by the £4m summer purchase who missed much of the start of the season through injury.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13410368.stm

Those brave Rangers fans deserve it!

Celtic manager sent bullet in post [100]

Also, sorry, Caissa, but I can't resist:

Maybe we could merge them into Glasgow United.

I think you've just solved the Irish problem in one fell swoop, Caissa. Then again, who would they challenge for the title?

 Definitely not Hibs. They could play in the English Premier League. Give a whole new meaning to The Troubles.

This morning on the local CBC programme, the daily Happy Song feature was The Best by Tina Turner. The hosts were talking about how Rangers fans tried to drive it to the top of the British charts a few years ago.

As the Lower Mainland in British Colombia gets swept up in Stanley Cup fever, Vancouver's soccer team has its sights firmly set on lifting a trophy of its own over the next couple of weeks.

The Whitecaps will host Toronto FC on Wednesday at Empire Field in the first leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship Final, and amidst a busy Major League Soccer schedule, Vancouver head coach Teitur Thordarson is making no secret of where his priorities lie. The Iceland native made his immediate objectives quite clear by resting some of his leading players for Saturday's league match on the road against New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.

Toronto FC coach Aron Winter was not impressed with his team's effort Wednesday night, but he was not about to complain about the final score.

Maicon Santos scored in the 73rd minute Wednesday as Toronto rallied for a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

"We didn't play well, but we got a good result," Winter said.

Eric Hassli replied for the Whitecaps, who will need to score at least once -- and hold the Reds scoreless -- in the second leg of the two-game, total-goals series May 25 at Toronto's BMO Field if they want to claim the national title.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2011/05/19/sp-whitecaps-tfc.html#ixzz1Mo0zZ1xN

The English Football Association has called on FIFA to postpone Wednesday's presidential election in the wake of the bribery scandal that led to Sepp Blatter's only challenger withdrawing.

The FA had already said it was abstaining before the allegations emerged that led to presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and fellow FIFA executive committee member Jack Warner being suspended.

Now, in a statement released Tuesday, the FA is calling for a delay to the election so a new "reforming candidate" might be found and an independent body appointed to supervise reforms of FIFA in the wake of the organization's biggest crisis in its 107-year history.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2011/05/31/sp-fifa-fa.html#ixzz1NvjnVhAH

A half dozen of the Ecuador players were still hollering at the referee when Tosaint Ricketts slyly slotted home his first career goal for Canada.

As debut goals go, Ricketts and Terry Dunfield certainly made their's memorable Wednesday.

The two scored for Canada in a 2-2 draw with Ecuador in a friendly Wednesday at BMO Field, the final game for Canada's men's soccer team before the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Ricketts, subbed into the game in the 85th minute, scored in injury time on a quick free quick by Julian de Guzman, while an unsuspecting Ecuador side was still clustered around the referee arguing the call.

"(De Guzman) played the ball quickly, I was surprised at first and took a couple of touches and just put it in," Ricketts said. "It's always good scoring, but the first one for Canada, I can't describe the feeling right now."

Canada was minutes away from advancing at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, until a last-gasp equalizer from Panama dashed its hopes.

Luis Tejada scored in extra time during a chaotic scramble Tuesday as Panama tied Canada 1-1.

Canada needed a win to advance, and looked like it was going to get one after Dwayne De Rosario scored on a penalty in the 62nd minute.

Instead, Tejada's goal left Canadian hopes dangling by a thread, and then the United States dealt the deathblow with a 1-0 win over Guadeloupe later Tuesday.

Tejada scored after Canadian defenders were unable to handle a corner kick from Panama's Eric Davis. A shot bounced off the crossbar of the Canadian goal and ricocheted around the box. Goalkeeper Milan Borjan was unable to contain the ball and Tejada helped it across the goal-line.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2011/06/14/sp-canada-panama.html#ixzz1PM4XQQac

Soccer referee Sarah Benkirane has been told she can no longer work for Quebec's Lac St. Louis Regional Soccer Association because she wears a hijab.

The 15-year-old has been refereeing games on Montreal's West Island and Vaudreuil, which is located just off the island, for the past two years but was informed by association officials that she had been cut as a referee because of rules prohibiting religious garments on the pitch.

Chelsea is to announce today the transfer/hiring, at a stupendous price, of the Porto manager, whose CV comes to 1.5 years total at the helm, although he was part of Mourinho's crew and is considered razor-sharp..

still, no one ever offered 15 million for, say,  Scotty Bowman, who DID have  a track record of winning a Cup

..................

here we go:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/8591303/Chelsea-confirm-Andre-Villas-Boas-as-new-manager-on-three-year-contract.html

Yes, Dave--so how much for Alex Ferguson, say?

apparently, Villa-Boas wants to BE the next Alex Ferguson;

but it's one thing to aspire, another thing to pull it off .... Mourinho did not manage that

 from The Telegraph's reader comments:

davidg Today 01:31 PM [113]

Smacks of a desperate attempt to copy Barcelona with Guardiola. Good luck to the guy but its a big step up for him. Young enough to be Fergie's grandson

Even Alex McLeish, former Rangers and Scotland manager, whose Birmingham City just were relegated after barely hanging in the EPL the year before, is valued at almost £5 million for his imminent switch to Aston Villa (why Villa would want him is another question--in fact, Villa fans held angry protests at word of his appointment!)

Anyway, Chelsea is a manager graveyard. Apparently winning the league double the year before and having a Champions League medal in your cabinet is not good enough to earn you a few years to build your team.

Canada earns its first ever point at the U-17 World Cup when goalkeeper Quillan Roberts scores the tying goal in the final minutes against England

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/canadian-goalkeeper-makes-history-with-goal-at-u-17-world-cup/article2072458/

They'd better be doing strip searches of Christian refs to ensure no crucifixes slip onto the pitch.

I would think so. I wear a large cross that could slip out in play.

River Plate were relegated to Argentina's second division for the first time in their 110-year history on Sunday, sparking ugly street battles between police and fans.

River, who have been champions a record 33 times, drew 1-1 with Belgrano of the Nacional B division in the second leg of a relegation-promotion play-off at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, condemning them to relegation after a 2-0 defeat in the first leg in Cordoba on Wednesday.

Fans in the 60,000-plus crowd at the Monumental went wild with rage just before the final whistle, throwing objects on to the pitch and some tried to climb over perimeter fencing to storm on to the field.

Thierry Henry and Luke Rodgers scored in a five-minute span of the first half, and the New York Red Bulls moved into first place in the Eastern Conference with a 5-0 victory over Toronto FC Wednesday night.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2011/07/06/sp-tfc-redbulls.html#ixzz1RR7YRQYa

I watched the Vancouver game last night. Some great chances by the entertaining 17-year-old Omar Salgado and Camilo Sanvezzo, but only posts and misses in the end. Even the captain, Canadian Terry Dunfield, fluffed a very tame penalty. They were punished when Colombus scored in the 89th minute to snatch a fortunate victory.

Also: long thread!