Photo by: Bruce Ely/ The Oregonian

*ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

FRIDAY, May 13

FOX SOCCER PLUS
Football League Championship: READING v CARDIFF CITY, Championship semifinal, 1st leg (live) 2:30 pm.

SATURDAY, May 14

ESPN2
EPL: BLACKBURN v MANCHESTER UNITED (live) 7:30 am.
MLS: SEATTLE v PORTLAND (live) 11 pm.

FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
EPL: SUNDERLAND v WOLVERHAMPTON (live) 7:30 am.
FA Cup Final: MANCHESTER CITY v STOKE CITY (live) 10 am.
EPL: WEST BROM v EVERTON (live) 12:30 pm.
Serie A: AC MILAN v CAGLIARI (live) 2:30 pm.
International (Women): USA v JAPAN (live) 6:30 pm.
MLS: SALT LAKE v HOUSTON (live) 8:30 pm.

FOX SOCCER PLUS
EPL: BLACKPOOL v BOLTON (live) 7:30 am.
Serie A: LAZIO v GENOA (live) Noon.
FA Cup Final: MANCHESTER CITY v STOKE CITY (delay) 8 pm.

FOX DEPORTES
FA Cup Final: MANCHESTER CITY v STOKE CITY (live) 10 am.
EPL: WEST BROM v EVERTON (live) 12:30 pm.
Serie A: AC MILAN v CAGLIARI (live) 2:30 pm.

ESPN DEPORTES
EPL: BLACKBURN v MANCHESTER UNITED (live) 7:30 am.
Bundesliga: BAYERN MUNICH v STUTTGART (live) 9:45 am.
MLS: SEATTLE v PORTLAND (live) 11 pm.

GOLTV
Bundesliga: BORUSSIA DORTMUND v FRANKFURT (live) 9:25 am.
Categoria Primera A: PEREIRA v NACIONAL (live) 1:55 pm.

MLS DIRECT KICK
MLS: TORONTO v CHICAGO (live) 7 pm.
MLS: NEW ENGLAND v VANCOUVER (live) 7:30 pm.
MLS: D.C. UNITED v COLORADO (live) 7:30 pm.
MLS: DALLAS v PHILADELPHIA (live) 8:30 pm.
MLS: LOS ANGELES v KANSAS CITY (live) 10:30 pm.
MLS: SAN JOSE v COLUMBUS (live) 10:30 pm.

ESPN3.com
EPL: BLACKBURN v MANCHESTER UNITED (live) 7:30 am.
Bundesliga: BAYERN MUNICH v STUTTGART (live) 9:30 am.
Bundesliga: FREIBURG v BAYER LEVERKUSEN (live) 9:30 am.
Serie A: AC MILAN v CAGLIARI (live) 2:40 pm.
Ligue 1: LILLE v PSG (live) 2:45 pm.
Primeira Liga: MARITOMO v PORTO (live) 3:15 pm.
MLS: SEATTLE v PORTLAND (live) 11 pm.

FOXSOCCER.tv
EPL: BLACKPOOL v BOLTON (live) 7:30 am.
EPL: WEST BROM v EVERTON (live) 12:30 pm.
Serie A: LAZIO v GENOA (live) Noon.
Ligue 1: MONACO v LENS (live) 1 pm.
Ligue 1: SAINT ETIENNE v RENNAIS (live) 1 pm.
Ligue 1: CAEN v MONTPELLIER (live) 1 pm.
Ligue 1: NANCY v NICE (live) 1 pm.
Ligue 1: BRESTOIS v LYON (live) 1 pm.
Ligue 1:VALENCIENNES v AUXERRE (live) 1 pm.
Ligue 1: AVIGNON v TOULOUSE (live) 1 pm.
FA Cup Final: MANCHESTER CITY v STOKE CITY (On Demand) 11:55 pm.
EPL: SUNDERLAND v WOLVERHAMPTON (On Demand) 11:55 pm.

SUNDAY, May 15

FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
EPL: CHELSEA v NEWCASTLE (live) 8:30 am.
EPL: ARSENAL v ASTON VILLA (live) 11 am.
Serie A: NAPOLI v INTER MILAN (live) 2:30 pm.
WPS: ATLANTA v PHILADELPHIA (live) 6 pm.

FOX SOCCER PLUS
Serie A: FIORENTINA v BOLOGNA (live) 6:30 am.
Serie A: CATANIA v ROMA (live) 9 am.
EPL: LIVERPOOL v TOTTENHAM (live) 11 am.
EPL: BIRMINGHAM CITY v FULHAM (delay) 1 pm.
Ligue 1: LORIENT v MARSEILLE (live) 3 pm.
EPL: WIGAN v WEST HAM (delay) 5 pm.

FOX DEPORTES
EPL: CHELSEA v NEWCASTLE (live) 8:30 am.
EPL: LIVERPOOL v TOTTENHAM (live) 11 am.
Serie A: CATANIA v ROMA (delay) 1 pm.
Serie A: NAPOLI v INTER MILAN (live) 2:30 pm.

ESPN DEPORTES
Eredivisie: AJAX v TWENTE (live) 8:30 am.
La Liga: BARCELONA v DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA (live) 3 pm.

GOLTV
Campeonato Brasileiro: SANTOS v CORINTHIANS (live) 3 pm.
La Liga: VILLARREAL v REAL MADRID (delay) 5 pm.
La Liga:ZARAGOZA v ESPNAYOL (delay) 7 pm.

GALAVISION
MLS: NEW YORK v CHIVAS (live) 7 pm.

TELEMUNDO
Primera Division de Mexico: GUADALAJARA v UNAM, semifinal, 2nd leg (live) 8 pm.

ESPN3.com

Serie A: FIORENTINA v BOLOGNA (live) 6:30 am.
Eredivisie: AJAX v TWENTE (live) 8:30 am.
Serie A: CATANIA v ROMA (live) 9 am.
Serie A: CHIEVO v UDINESE (live) 9 am.
Serie A: PARMA v JUVENTUS (live) 9 am.
Serie A: NAPOLI v INTER MILAN (live) 2:40 pm.
La Liga: BARCELONA v DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA (live) 3 pm.
La Liga: SEVILLA v REAL SOCIEDAD (live) 3 pm.
La Liga: SPORTING GIJON v RACING SANTADAR (live) 3 pm.

FOXSOCCER.tv
EPL: LIVERPOOL v TOTTENHAM (live) 11 am.
EPL: BIRMINGHAM CITY v FULHAM (live) 11 am.
EPL: WIGAN v WEST HAM (live) 11 am.
EPL: CHELSEA v NEWCASTLE (On Demand) 11:55 pm.
EPL: ARSENAL v ASTON VILLA (On Demand) 11:55 pm.
Serie A: NAPOLI v INTER MILAN (On Demand) 11:55 pm.

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Europe

Really hope this film happens… SOMEONE MAKE THIS FILM HAPPEN!

From the makers of the film:
We are finished with the documentary film on Jay DeMerit but do not have the licensing rights to take it to theatre or dvd. We are not a Hollywood production company. This film was made by Jay’s friends who want his story to be told. If anyone is interested in partnering for finance or distribution, please contact jaydemeritstory@yahoo.com

Trailer produced by: Diesel Films www.dieselfilmsinc.com
Voiceover by John Heffernan
Cinematography by Zach Salsman
Special Thanks to Chuck Church!

Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe

The  Associated Press

American midfielder Stuart Holden will miss June’s CONCACAF Gold Cup because of a knee injury that will require surgery and sideline him six months.

Holden hurt his left knee in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester United in the Premier League. United defender Jonny Evans drew a red card for the tackle.

Holden wrote on his Twitter account that he was having surgery Monday in London.

“Just had a sincere phone call from Jonny Evans wishing me the best in my recovery,” he wrote. “Def wasn’t intentional, just unfortunate part of the game.”

Last year, Holden’s right leg was broken by a challenge from the Netherlands’ Nigel de Jong during an exhibition game March 3. He returned May 9 in Bolton’s final game of the season and played for the U.S. at the World Cup.

“I can promise you all I will come back stronger and better than before,” Holden wrote. “Have had bad luck in the past and will continue to beat it.”

Holden became a regular starter under Bolton manager Owen Coyle.

“He has such desire, strength of character and a winning mentality, and he will draw on all those attributes in his rehabilitation,” Coyle said.

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North Americ

Bob Bradley announced on Wednesday the 24 man roster that will play friendlies against Argentina and Paraguay. The Nats will play Argentina on March 26th  at the New Meadowlands Stadium and then face off against Paraguay on March 29th in Nashville, TN. TV info can be found here.

There are a few newcomers to the squad in goalkeeper David Yelldell of MSV Duisburg and defender Timothy Chandler of FC Nürnberg. Another name that I haven’t seen in a while is defender Zak Whitbread of Norwich City. I remember watching Whitbread in 2003 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup when he was with Liverpool FC. That US team lost to Argentina in the quarterfinals and also featured Eddie Johnson winning the Golden Boot and young Freddy Adu (who now isn’t even listed in the USMNT player pool).

What do you guys think of the following roster? Let us know.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton), David Yelldell (MSV Duisburg)
DEFENDERS (9): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Jonathan Bornstein (UANL Tigres), Timothy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Vancouver Whitecaps), Oguchi Onyewu (FC Twente), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Zak Whitbread (Norwich City)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Michael Bradley (Aston Villa), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Mikkel Diskeruud (Stabaek), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), Jermaine Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht)
FORWARDS (3): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (Bursaspor), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt)

A detailed US roster can be seen here.

Argentina’s Roster

Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, Argentina head coach Sergio Batista has called up Lionel Messi and his other superstars as they prepare for Copa America.

Goalkeepers: Mariano Andujar (Catania), Adrian Gabbarini (Independiente), Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar).

Defenders: Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Gabriel Milito (Barcelona), Nicolas Otamendi (Porto), Federico Fazio (Sevilla), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow).

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Mario Bolatti (Internacional), Ever Banega (Valencia), Fernando Belluschi (Porto), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht), Javier Pastore (Palermo).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Jose Sosa (Napoli), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica).

Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America

DC United Press Release

Washington, D.C. – D.C. United today made the following statement in regards to Charlie Davies’ potential loan to United.

“Charlie Davies is expected to join D.C. United in Ft. Lauderdale on Wednesday for a week-long evaluation period, which will include training and game time with the first team and a full medical evaluation by team doctors in DC. Details of a 12-month loan have already been negotiated, but nothing will be official until D.C. United is satisfied Charlie is physically capable of playing at the level required to be successful in MLS. United currently holds the top spot in the League’s allocation ranking and would therefore have first option to acquire Davies.”

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North Americ

From The Associated Press

The U.S. national soccer team canceled its Feb. 9 exhibition against Egypt in Cairo because of the political turmoil there.

The game against the Egyptian national team had been announced Dec. 13. In the last week, street protests aiming for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak have caused disruption in Cairo and Alexandria.

“We were excited about the opportunity to play against Egypt, but due to the current situation all parties agreed it was best to cancel the match,” U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said Monday. “We appreciate the efforts of the Egyptian Football Association and the U.S. State Department as we worked through this situation.”

The U.S. State Department has recommended American citizens avoid travel to Egypt “due to ongoing political and social unrest.” On Sunday, the State Department authorized the voluntary departure of dependents and nonemergency employees, saying “U.S. citizens currently in Egypt should consider leaving as soon as they can safely do so.”

The U.S., ranked 18th in the world, had planned to fly a top roster to the game, including Americans based with European clubs, to face 10th-ranked Egypt. The two nations met in the first round of the 2009 Confederations Cup, with the U.S. winning 3-0.

The next game for the U.S. team will be March 26 against Argentina at East Rutherford, N.J. The Americans play Paraguay three days later at Nashville, Tenn.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

US Soccer announced the 24 players that will be participating in the January training camp to be held in Carson, California. Twenty of the players are from Major League Soccer with only four European based players. 2010 MLS Golden Boot Winner, Chris Wondolowski looks to get his first cap for the US against Chile on January 22nd, 2011 at the Home Depot Center. Check out the roster and tell us what you think. Who’s missing and who shouldn’t be there?

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (4): Dominic Cervi (Celtic), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Matt Pickens (Colorado Rapids), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (9): A.J. DeLaGarza (Los Angeles Galaxy), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ugo Ihemelu (FC Dallas), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Ryan Miller (Halmstads BK), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Anthony Wallace (Colorado Rapids), Marvell Wynne (Colorado Rapids)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Eric Alexander (FC Dallas), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro), Sam Cronin (San Jose Earthquakes), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabaek), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Dax McCarty (D.C. United), Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
FORWARDS (4): Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Press Release via USSoccer.com:
CHICAGO (Dec. 21, 2010) — U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bob Bradley has named 24 players to the training camp roster that will begin gathering Jan. 4 at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The group will prepare for the USA’s first match of 2011, a friendly against fellow FIFA World Cup finalists Chile on Jan. 22 at The HDC. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. PT, with broadcast information to be announced at a later date. Fans can follow the game live via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker or on twitter @ussoccer.

“The timing is right to assess many of the younger players and to broaden the player pool as we look forward to the next three years,” said Bradley. “These extended camps give the coaching staff an opportunity to work with these players closely, and at the same time expose them to what the environment and expectations are like at the international level. We have a good feel for the veteran players in the pool, several of whom are coming off long seasons, and we certainly expect many of them to be part of the program for the important tournaments this year.”

The annual camp held in January for players in their offseason is a largely domestic-based group that includes 20 players who ply their trade in the United States, and the coaching staff is taking full advantage of the opportunity to assess new talent. With an average age of just above 23 years old, half of the players can earn their first cap for the full team.

Major League Soccer is well represented, with 10 clubs contributing a total of 20 players to the Carson camp. Eight players come from the MLS Cup finalists, four each from 2010 champion Colorado Rapids and runners up FC Dallas following a thrilling championship settled in overtime. Matt Pickens, Anthony Wallace and Marvell Wynne helped anchor the Rapids defense while Jeff Larentowicz patrolled the center of the park; on the other side, Ugo Ihemelu and Brek Shea started for FC Dallas. Shea has the most recent experience with the full team, making his debut on Oct. 12 against Colombia. A trio of Los Angeles Galaxy defenders will move to a different locker room at The HDC, including 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year Omar Gonzalez, who got his first international appearance on Aug. 10 against Brazil and was named to the 2010 MLS Best XI. San Jose Earthquakes striker Chris Wondoloski joined him on the Best XI after scoring 18 goals – including nine game-winners – and capturing the MLS Golden Boot.

After becoming the first U.S. Soccer Development Academy alumnus to play for the full national team, Juan Agudelo made his first appearance memorable by becoming the youngest player in the modern era to score for the United States when he tallied the lone goal in the 1-0 win on Nov. 17 against South Africa. He was joined on the field that day by Red Bull teammate and MLS Rookie of the Year finalist Tim Ream, who also heads to Carson. At the other end of the spectrum, two-time MLS Cup winner Nick Rimando is the oldest player on the roster at 31 years old. The MVP of the 2009 MLS Cup has four caps to his credit.

Alejandro Bedoya leads the small European-based contingent, the Örebro midfielder having earned six caps in 2010 and a spot on the 30-man preliminary roster for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Mikkel Diskerud returns after debuting in the 1-0 victory in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, having set up Agudelo for the game’s only goal. Dominic Cervi also rejoins after traveling to Cape Town with the team, while Ryan Miller gets his first call into a national team camp.

The roster boasts several players with youth World Cup experience. Wynne played in the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup on the U.S. team that finished first in Group D ahead of Argentina and Germany. Two years later, Dax McCarty and Wallace helped the U.S. once again top a Group D, eventually falling in the quarterfinals to Austria. Diskerud, Shea and Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson went with the U-20s to Egypt in 2009, and Agudelo was part of the U-17 squad that finished in second place in their group at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Of the group heading into the January camp, a total of six players will be age eligible for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The annual January camps have produced some memorable moments in addition to being the starting point of promising international careers. In 2007, a young Jonathan Bornstein scored his first goal in his first game, a path which led to two starts at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. A year later, Landon Donovan made history when he became the all-time leader in goals scored for the United States. In 2009, Sacha Kljestan opened his international scoring account in style, becoming only the second player in U.S. history to score his first three goals all in the same game.

Here’s the video report by Panorama that sunk England’s chance to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Don’t they know to fight fire with fire. They should have just paid more money to FIFA executives instead of calling them out on accepting bribes.

I would hope that if the American bid team knew about this that we would have slipped some of those unused TARP funds into FIFA pockets for 2022. (This is our best chance, America, to host 2026… make it rain!) Lesson learned.

After a 30 minute delay (we’re assuming some palms were being greased), FIFA finally announced who would host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Russia was the winning bid for the 2018 World Cup to be held in Europe while Qatar won the 2022 World Cup.

I’m too devastated to type any more but it looks like big oil money is what won the bid (I typed that before Eric Wynalda said it).

ITN News just dropped this video of former Arsenal, Aston VIlla, Everton and England defender, Martin Keown. They ask about his toughest opponents, greatest moments and who he thinks is the biggest whinger.