Football,f1 motorsports,NBA,Premier League

After his sudden and shocking departure from Colorado, we now have confirmation on why.
FC Dallas have announced that Oscar Pareja is officially their new head coach.
After a successful midfield career at Dallas that saw him spend seven years and make 170 league appearances, Pareja will now take charge of the team on the touchline.
It seems like the job he’s wanted for some time now.  Pareja asked but was refused permission to interview for this very position in November.  He spent five years in the backroom staff at Dallas. And now he’s in charge.
(MORE: Colorado management has lots of questions to answer on the unfolding Oscar Pareja fiasco)
The club went 84 days since the removal of Schellas Hyndman marked the end of a stark downward trend at the end of the 2013 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Oscar back to FC Dallas as head coach,” FC Dallas Chairman Clark Hunt said. “In addition to his stellar career as a player in our league, Oscar has an outstanding track record of success as a coach at every level of MLS. After an extensive search process, we concluded that Oscar’s experience, teaching ability, personal integrity and passion for our club make him the ideal choice to lead FC Dallas in 2014 and beyond.”
Dallas confirmed in their release that they will send Colorado a 2015 first round MLS SuperDraft pick plus allocation money as compensation for Pareja, as he was still under contract at his former club.
The Rapids also confirmed in their release that the deal does include a contract buyout, allowing Pareja to join up with Dallas.
“The compensation we’ve received for Dallas will help us this season and beyond, and we are eager to find the right candidate to take our head coaching position,” said Colorado President Tim Hinchey. “With a youthful squad that is primed to succeed for several years down the line, this is an attractive coaching job with a solid structure already in place. We want to credit Oscar for his role in helping develop our team in the last two years, and we wish him and his family the best in Dallas.”

It’s that time of the week again, you’re at work on a Friday and you’re already planning what Premier League games you will wake up to watch on a lazy Saturday morning.
Life is great.
it all kicks off on NBCSN from 7am ET on Saturday, as Hull City host Chelsea at the KC Stadium. Then Tottenham face Crystal Palace live on NBCSN at 10am ET, and to round things off on Saturday Manchester United welcome Swansea to Old Trafford at 12:20pm ET live on NBC, as the Red Devils look to avoid four-straight defeats to kick off 2014.
Then on Sunday Newcastle host Manchester City at a rowdy St. James’ Park, live on NBCSN at 9:05am ET. Then Stoke City take on Liverpool at the Britannia at 11:10am ET as the Potters and USMNT defender Geoff Cameron aim to upset Luis Suarez and the Reds. And on Monday, there’s a real beauty coming your way as Aston Villa take on league leaders Arsenal at Villa Park, tune into NBCSN at 3pm ET to watch that one.
WATCH EVERY GAME LIVE ONLINE VIA NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA
What an incredible weekend of action we have to look forward to and you won’t miss a thing.
You can watch NBC Sports Network for our feature games and watch every single second of every single game live this season online via NBC Sports Live Extra and the NBC Sports Live Extra App.
Via your TV you can watch the games live on Premier League Extra Time. Here’s your full TV schedule for the coming weekend. Enjoy.
FULL TV SCHEDULE
SATURDAY
7:45am ET: Hull City v Chelsea – NBCSN
10am ET: Tottenham v Palace – NBCSN
10am ET: Cardiff City vs. West Ham Premier League Extratime
10am ET: Everton vs. Norwich – Premier League Extratime
10am ET: Fulham vs. Sunderland – Premier League Extratime
10am ET: Southampton v West Brom – Premier League Extratime
12:30pm ET: Man United vs. Swansea – NBC
SUNDAY
9:05am ET: Newcastle vs. Manchester City – NBCSN11:10am ET: Stoke City v Liverpool – NBCSN
MONDAY
3pm ET: Aston Villa vs. Arsenal – NBCSN

According to all reports, Michael Bradley is about to come Major League Soccer’s most well-paid man. So we may as well begin the initial probing of the inevitable question: whether he’s worth the money?
The very short answer: the guy will be worth every penny.
It’s not just that Bradley instantly becomes one of the top passers and one of the most intelligent of midfield leaders in MLS, he represents something else that is almost as important.
Good organizations build systems of accountability from the inside out. It’s a big part of the reason Houston has done so well over the years, even with smaller-budget talent: the locker room is always right, and the day-to-day accountability polices itself.
Teams like Toronto FC, a perennial MLS struggler, don’t have that – but a guy like Bradley is a great place to start. He’s the ultimate professional, which is why he’ll soon be Jurgen Klinsmann’s captain. (No offense to Clint Dempsey, but Bradley is already this national team group’s de facto captain.)
Bradley will demand excellence at the training ground and on game day, and that’s a sure bonus on the big bag of talent and midfield smart that he’ll be toting into BMO Field.
On other matters …
I asked this question on Twitter: “Remember when it was so cool to bash Landon Donovan because he wanted to play in MLS rather than Europe?”
Donovan took more than his share of flak for that. History may well reverse that sentiment, offering up Donovan as one of the pioneers, someone willing to stay in MLS to help build the league rather than jumping across the Atlantic for greater glory. Either way: Clint Dempsey took some of the same abuse, although much less of it. Bradley is likely to take even less, even though he’s just 26. This tide will continue to turn — and the soccer snobs who still like to hammer MLS because it isn’t the Premier League or Serie A or whatever will continue to fade into the background.
 Donovan, by the way, is clearly on board. What Donovan told reporters gathered Thursday in Southern California, where the national team is holding its annual January camp:

I think that it’s a testament to our league that people want to come back and play here particularly six months before a World Cup. It makes a strong statement, obviously, [Tim Leiweke] made it clear to him that it was something that he wanted, and Mike is a smart guy, I’m sure that he’s thought about this a lot and it’s something that he wants to do so I think that it is great.”

(MORE: Defoe to be unveiled Monday by Toronto FC)
(MORE: Michael Bradley’s Italian-based agent says deal to MLS now complete)
(MORE: Where Bradley’s signing falls in all-time MLS significance)
(MORE: What Toronto’s starting lineup might look like with Defoe, Bradley)
.

We’re still two months away from the start of Major League Soccer’s season, but given the news Toronto FC made today, it’s impossible to resist taking pen to paper and imagining what Ryan Nelsen’s team could look like in March. Jermain Defoe is moving to BMO Field, as is U.S. Men’s National Team stalwart Michael Bradley. Add in the team’s other offseason acquisitions — Gilberto, Jackson, Justin Morrow — and the somewhat permeable state at the bottom of the Eastern Conference’s playoff picture and it’s difficult to tell a TFC fan they shouldn’t dare to dream.
Beyond the players, we know Nelsen has almost exclusively played a 4-4-2 formation since signing on in Toronto, preferring one defensive midfielder in the middle. With that in mind, here’s some blind speculation as to what a TFC starting XI could look like, provided Defoe and Bradley end up in Ontario.
[MORE: Report: Bradley to Toronto done, set to earn $6.5 million per season after $7-$10 million transfer fee]
GK: Joe Bendik - The 24-year-old acquired from Portland before last season made 33 starts for Nelsen, keeping the No. 1′s job from the eventually traded Stefan Frei. Recently re-signed, he’ll be back in goal this year.
LB: Justin Morrow/Ashtone Morgan - It look Nelsen a little time to warm to Morgan last season, but ultimately, the 22-year-old played the fourth-most minutes on the team. The former San Jose Earthquake will challenge his place in the starting XI, but Morrow’s flexibility could lead to significant playing time for both players. (This is where I’ll reiterate our caveats: It’s only January, this is very speculative, and Ryan Nelsen/Tim Bezbatchenko may have no idea who will be starting Mar. 7 against Vancouver.)
[MORE: Michael Bradley-to-Toronto: Take a moment to suspend your whys, consider how far MLS has come]
CBs: Doneil Henry, Steven Caldwell - Though Gale Agbossoumonde is lurking, the young U.S. hopeful is actually two years older than Henry, who is likely to start next to the veteran Caldwell.
RB: Mark Bloom? Ryan Richter? - This is the one position where it’s unclear what Toronto’s doing, leaving you to wonder whether Morrow may actually make his way over to this flank. A Canadian Press report from mid-December speculated the 26-year-old Bloom had inherited the spot, perhaps a second ex-Atlanta Silverbacks full back loanee ready to make an impact in Major League Soccer (along with Colorado’s Chris Klute).
LM/RM: Jackson, Reggie Lambe - Alvaro Rey and Jonathan Osorio are also options here, but Lambe’s 27 appearances hint he was one of Nelsen’s favorites last season, something that could give the 22-year-old Bermudan a leg-up on a starting spot. Jackson, acquired from FC Dallas, looks like an obvious choice for Toronto’s starting XI, provided he makes a smooth transition to his new team.
[MORE: Making sense of the “whys” surrounding Michael Bradley’s Toronto move]
CMs: Michael Bradley, Jeremy Hall or Jonathan Osorio (Kyle Bekker?) - How does Nelsen envision using Bradley? Is the U.S. international seen as a holder? Somebody who will typically be the deepest man in midfielder? Or will Nelsen craft a more expansive role for his DP midfielder? That may dictate whether Jeremy Hall, Toronto’s most-used field player in 2013, continues to be a regular in the starting XI. It’s also possible somebody like the 21-year-old Osorio (or, maybe Kyle Bekker) ends up partnering Bradley in the middle. This may also be a position when the opposition has something to say about who Nelsen chooses from one weekend to the next.
[MORE: Defoe to Toronto FC official… and maybe Michael Bradley, too? (or “How Taylor Twellman broke Twitter”)]
Fs: Jermain Defoe, Gilberto - Bright Dike and Dwayne De Rosario give Nelsen options, but the top of the depth chart is clear. Both Defoe and Gilberto’s track records hint they’ll be very successful Major League Soccer players, and while fans of the league have seen enough flame outs to know nothing is guaranteed, Toronto should be able to avoid their 2013 goal-scoring woes. Provided Nelsen loosens the reins (far from a given), TFC should drastically improve on the 30 goals they scored last season.

If Theo Walcott’s injury was Arsenal’s only health concern, the situation would be bad enough. But Olivier Giroud is also out. So is Nicklas Bendtner as well as a handful of other people beyond the forward line. Now, with only Lukas Podolski healthy among Arsenal’s normal forward options, the Premier League-leading Gunners are experiencing a textbook injury crisis at the striker position.
Short on options ahead of Monday’s visit to Villa Park, it’s understandable why Arsenal is seeking what The Guardian’s calling a “quick-fix” solution. But contrary to the more unbelievable rumors, that fix might not involve the likes of Atlético Madrid’s Diego Costa, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Bayern Munich’s Mario Mandzukic or Manchester City’s Edin Dezko. (Seriously, why would some of these guys move in January anyway?) Wary of paying the inflated prices in the January window, Arsène Wenger is said to have instructed scouts to find a short-term solution – somebody that can help the club make it to June before redressing the position this summer.
[MORE: Theo Walcott will miss rest of season and World Cup]
That leaves somebody like Real Madrid’s Álvaro Morata. The 21-year-old has been near a goal-per-game scorer at youth levels for Spain, part of the reason Carlo Ancelotti wanted to keep him around the Santiago Bernabéu this season. Yet after the late August acquisition of Gareth Bale restored El Real’s attacking depth, Morata’s been limited to one La Liga start (though he has come on nine times as a substitute). In 14 all-competition appearances, the Madrid-born talent as two goals, with a lack of playing time limiting his production.
How much more playing time he’d get through June at Arsenal is an open question, but in the short-term, Morata would go to the top of the depth chart. When Olivier Giroud returns (and reportedly, he’s close) Morata would still often valuable cover for a player whose Champions League starts will prompt some rotation in February. As Arsenal’s season progresses, preserving Giroud’s minutes could be one of the many thin margins for error that defines this season’s Premier League title race.
[MORE: Theo Walcott just the first; roster of World Cup injury misfortune sure to grow]
The risk here is whether Morata will have an impact. At Real Madrid B and with Spain’s U-level teams, he’s produced, and via the eye test, he certainly looks like somebody who can contribute for most teams in the world …
… and during Arsenal’s injury crisis, the Gunners’ could be one of those teams. Yet Morata still represents more risk than going out and finding somebody with a more proven track record. Whereas Morata has more talent than most players Arsenal could acquire, it’s no given that talent will translate into Premier League goals.
Still, when you stop and consider the thin layer of proven options that would fit at Arsenal, Morata’s risk might be worthwhile. As players like Demba Ba and Andy Carroll have shown at clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool, some players can’t translate performance at one level to production on another. Add in Arsenal’s style of play and need to find somebody who can make an impact in Champions League and a title race, it may be better to roll the dice on potential than accept limitations.
Ultimately, this is only for six months. Acquiring another player — a more proven option from another team — would probably require a purchase as opposed to a loan. A short-term commitment allows Arsenal to dip back into the market in June without an ongoing financial commitment.
Thus, the argument for Morata. Or, a Morata-like player. At least, that’s the theory behind it. Whether Real Madrid cares about this line of thinking is another issue entirely.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini claims his side isn’t in the market for a new player but is apparently keen on shipping Joleon Lescott out with Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham all interested. The 31-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at City and is convinced a loan or permanent move is all he needs to catch the eye of England boss Roy Hodgson.
Despite Pellegrini’s assertions to the contrary, reports rage on regarding his interest in Basel center-half Fabian Schar. The 22-year-old is in high demand since rallying his side to a Champions League victory over Chelsea last month. In fact, the Blues, Liverpool, Arsenal Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, Barcelona and PSG are all reportedly interested in giving the Swiss center-back a new home.
Staying at City, Stevan Jovetic has made just six appearances since signing in the summer due to a mixture of injury and illness. It’s form that the City fans have begun to pan with the song: “Jov the builder, can he fix it? Jov the builder - no, he’s ill!” Rumors had the 24-year-old returning to former club Fiorentina on a loan spell but the Italian side squashed the deal after Jovetic’s €5 million salary proved too much for Vincenzo Montella’s side to afford.
At cross-town rival United, David Moyes has been boosted by a transfer kitty that, depending who you believe, is between £100-£200M. His targets? A left-back, two center-mids and a striker. Topping his list are La Liga stars, Andre Herrera and Diego Costa but he’s also keeping tabs on Dortmund’s Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan, Southampton’s Luke Shaw and Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala. In other words, anyone and everyone who could end his misery.
Costa, however, could be headed to Chelsea if Jose Mourinho decides he wants a new striker this January. His bait? Playmaker Juan Mata, who has (inexplicably) fallen out of favor with the Portuguese gaffer. A Costa-Mata swap would be a sensational deal and one that could see Chelsea striker Demba Ba pushed out. The Senegalese hit-man has featured only eight times in the league this season with Newcastle, Crystal Palace and West Ham all inquiring about a loan deal for Mourinho’s surplus goods.
Newcastle’s interest in a striker comes amidst the eagerness of Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp to sell Loic Remy on a permanent deal to the Magpies. Redknapp has the Frenchman clocked in at £16 million and is confused as to why the Magpies have yet to pull the trigger. Of course that could have something to do with the fact that QPR’s asking price is nearly double with the R’s paid Marseille for Remy last year.
When Tottenham purchased Argentinian winger Erik Lamela from Roma last season, Spurs fans thought they had the next Gareth Bale. And in a way, they did. Unfortunately it was the Bale who began his Tottenham career with a winless streak of 25 matches, not the one who sniped 21 league goals in 2012-13. Lamela’s slow start reportedly has the North London side considering a loan deal with Lazio and Inter battling to take him on board.
One Manchester United player everyone seems to covet (except David Moyes) is Wilfried Zaha. A number of sides are interested in taking the athletic winger on loan with Crystal Palace pushing the hardest. Word has it manager Tony Pulis has made a bid for Zaha only for Moyes to deny it. Despite playing the 21-year-old appearing in only two league matches, Moyes reportedly wants to keep Zaha in the mix due to Nani‘s hamstring injury.
Finally, at Villa Park, Paul Lambert wants his side to buy a proven #10. So naturally he’s lining up a bid for a former player of his at Norwich City, Wes Hoolahan. If the Villa manager can’t capture the Irish Messi, he’s expected to make moves for another diminutive playmaker, Porto’s Steven Defour.

Breaking Neymar’s two-year hold on the award, Atlético Mineiro’s Ronaldinho has been voted the 2013 South American Player of the Year. It’s the first time the 33-year-old Brazilian, a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, has claimed South America’s top honor, finishing ahead of Neymar and Newell’s Old Boys’ Maxi Rodríguez to do so.
In voting conducted by Uruguayan newspaper El Pias, Ronaldinho garnered 156 of 345 possible votes. Neymar, who split 2013 between Brazilian club Santos and Spain’s Barcelona, earned 81 votes, while Rodríguez was chosen by 79 voters.
The award, restricted to players competing in South American leagues during the calendar year, has been handed out since 1975 and has been won by Brazilians a record 10 times (Ronaldinho’s win moves Brazil one ahead of Argentina). Chilean Elías Figueroa, Brazilian Zico, and Argentine Carlos Tévez have each won the award a record three times, with only Figueroa and Tévez having claimed the honor in three consecutive years.
In 2013, Ronaldinho’s second season with Mineiro, the former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Milan attacker led the Belo Horizonte team to the first South American title in the club’s 105-year history. Along the way, Ronaldinho recorded seven goals and six assists in Copa Liberadores, the highlight of his most successful season since returning to his home country from Europe. In all competitions, the attacking midfielder scored 17 times and set up 11 others in 36 all-competition games.
The 2013 season was Ronaldinho’s third in South America after returning from Milan in the winter of 2011. After just over one year with Flamengo, however, the 2002 World Cup winner moved to Atlético Mineiro, where he just completed his second season. Along the way, Ronaldinho’s amassed 54 goals and 26 assists while winning two state titles and a Libertadores.
Neymar, who nearly joined Figueroa and Tévez by winning the award in three straight years, only played one game in Brazil’s Campeonato before moving to Barcelona this summer. Between his state league (Paulista) and the Copa do Brasil, however, Neymar scored 13 times in 23 games for Santos.
Rodríguez was part of the Newell’s Old Boys team that won Argnetina’s Torneo Final before finishing forth in the Inicial. Across both tournaments, the former Espanyol, Atlético Madrid and Liverpool winger scored 10 times, adding three goals more for his country in World Cup qualifying.

Young French superstar Paul Pogba has exploded into a world-class player at Juventus the past two seasons.
With the 20-year-old commanding the Old Lady’s midfield, rumors have unsurprisingly flew linking him with the biggest names in soccer.
However, many are coming out of the woodwork saying they believe Pogba’s best move would be not to make one at all.
Well-known Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi believes that while the money the youngster (pictured, left) is sure to have shoved in front of him may be enticing, Pogba’s future would end up brighter if he was to turn it down.
“Paul has a lot of quality and has had the luck to arrive at Juventus at the right moment,’ Sacchi told Tuttosport. Juventus are the example of a team that multiplies the quality of the individual. When you are feeling well at a club, you should not leave. One million more or less doesn’t make someone richer or poorer. A player should primarily think about their career.”
And Sacchi isn’t the only one who is pleading with Pogba to leave money off his priorities list.
Former French international David Trezeguet is on board with the notion that club consistency is the most beneficial to a player’s career.
I have spoken very little with him,” Trezeguet told Gazzetta dello Sport. “But, for me, he should stay at Juventus. I would strongly advise him to do that. For someone like him, it is important to stay. He’s playing and Juventus are a club on the rise. They will get even better.”
At 36 years old, Trezeguet is a Juventus legend, having spent 11 seasons at Juventus Stadium and 245 appearances.  The striker, playing in Argentina at the moment, has already spoken with the Italian giants about taking up an ambassadorial role when his career is complete.
Therefore, Trezeguet is a bit biased.
Nonetheless, those are two powerful voices who would strongly support a decision by Paul Pogba to spurn big money offers he could possibly get from clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United.
Should he stay or should he go?

With Mario Balotelli unhappy with AC Milan’s floundering Serie A position, there is a new rumor that striker-hungry Chelsea could be in the market for the Italian superstar.  Balotelli’s previous success in the Premier League combined with the desperate need at the striker position for Jose Mourinho makes this rumor not just a juicy one but a sensible one as well.  Could we see the pairing of two of the most controversial and outspoken personalities in the game of soccer paired up on one team? It’s an exciting thought, and with Mourinho loving to make headlines and grab attention, this would be an outstanding opportunity to ensure he remains in the papers day in and day out.  Despite Milan’s struggles, Balotelli has six goals in 12 Serie A matches this season, and another three goals in eight other appearances elsewhere for his club.  But rumors are abound that between last year’s close shave into a Champions League position and this year’s current 13th place standing, the 23-year-old could be ready to move on. In three seasons previously with Manchester City, he scored 19 goals in 40 appearances before a very rocky 2012 saw him depart.
Rumors are flying out of Real Madrid (as they always inevitably do) that unsettled/dropped players such as Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso could be ready to move on.  However, manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted nobody will depart this January, and that contract talks with the Spanish captain Alonso will get moving shortly.  “No players are leaving and we’re not going to sign anyone. The window is closed for us,” Ancelotti insisted.  While this isn’t exactly a “rumor” per-say, it’s always difficult to take a manager’s intentions to heart considering the amount of times over the years we’ve seen bosses go back on their word.  Nevertheless, it’s hard to see where Madrid really need any serious overhaul, and it’s also likely that even the great Los Blancos could still be low on cash after their world-record transfer for Gareth Bale in the summer.
We heard just as recently as Friday that Juan Mata‘s preferred destination was Napoli, but now it appears that serious moves are being made by Atletico Madrid, and the Spanish club on the rise are making a legitimate play with his agent in talks with a number of clubs (including PSG and Juventus).  The likely move would be a loan for the rest of the season with an option to buy, and the same Daily Star exclusive that describes the Balotelli situation also suggests Atletico could be leading the race for Mata’s arrival.  The rumor isn’t a new one, with the same coming through in summer from the Daily Mail, suggesting there could be some truth to it. It would be a serious coup for the Spaniards, who are into the Champions League knockout stage and also leading the La Liga table, and reinforcements of Mata’s caliber would give their chances in both competitions a serious boost.
As Robert Lewandowski gets ready for live at his new home Bayern Munich, talk has increased about what they will do with incumbent striker Mario Mandzukic.  Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge wants to put all that talk to rest immediately.  While that may be impossible, he worked quickly to do his part, saying, “He’s a fantastic player who has come on leaps and bounds with Bayern. His contract runs until 2016 and I told his advisor in Marrakech that we would be willing to talk about an extension. We have absolutely no intention of selling Mario.”
While Rummenigge was at it, he also ruled out a move inwards for Chelsea defender David Luiz.  When prompted on the player, Rummenigge said, “There’s always lots of speculation and it’s extreme in England, but I can say for certain that he is not a thought for us.” The chairman pointed to the potential return of defender Holger Bastuber from injury as a reason they do not need Luiz’s services.

History says that it’s not too late to make a big break into the national team scene at the most important time possible, just ahead of a World Cup.
The dynamics are surely different in 2014; so many of the ways and means are different under Jurgen Klinsmann, who is never afraid to be unconventional in his methods or to push boundaries.
Still, there is surely still a chance that someone from this group of 26, those named Friday to the roster for January’s annual camp, can climb the order and find a way into prime position. Even if they get within striking distance of a roster spot, that puts some young man one ankle turn away from a World Cup roster spot … a truly golden opportunity for any young player, because a World Cup on the CV is a real game-changer.
Here are the late-comers who arrived into prominence previously via January camp (some in World Cup years, but not all):

• 2002: You were a pretty good domestic soccer fan in 2001 if you knew Pablo Mastroeni, a tough and talented up-and-comer who had just completed a fantastic season with soon-to-expire Miami. He entered the January camp that year uncapped in World Cup qualifiers. But when Chris Armas was injured in the World Cup run-up, Mastroeni found himself a starter in Korea. A starter!
• 2006: Jimmy Conrad got his first national team attention in the 2005 January camp. By that summer he was a Gold Cup contributor, and a year after that Conrad became a major part of the 2006 World Cup effort, making critical appearances against Ghana and Italy.
• 2012: Two years ago Graham Zusi and Geoff Cameron were peripheral figures with the national team, just hopefuls, really. But both made starts in 1-0 wins against Venezuela and Panama to finish that camp. Zusi even contributed the game-winner in Panama City, and they have more or less been national team fixtures since then.
• 2013: Matt Besler (pictured above) was uncapped at this time one year ago. Let that sink in. He was named to the January camp a year back, made an impression (clearly) and got his first cap on Jan. 29 of 2013 against Canada. By March he was a center back starter alongside Omar Gonzalez. Still is.

When Liverpool host Oldham Athletic tomorrow in the FA Cup, it will serve as much more than a simple cup tie between Premier League giants and League One minnows.
Narrative is everything.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will face his own son in a family battle frought with redemption and friendly competition – along with actual competition.
Anton Rodgers, 20 years old and manning the central midfield for Oldham, has journeyed a long way to simply get the opportunity to play his father at legendary Anfield.
The young’in began in Chelsea’s academy before making his way to Brighton & Hove Albion (on his father’s advice) on his first professional contract. He fittingly debuted in the FA Cup against conference side Wrexham as a 63rd minute substitute.
That was his only appearance at Brighton, before they shipped him off to Exeter for a 2-month loan and ultimately released him in May of this season.
Not, however, before a very difficult period in the family’s lives. Anton and three teammates at Brighton were charged – and ultimately cleared after a retrial – of sexual assault and voyeurism of a teenage girl during their time at the club.
“As parents, both his mum and I found it really, really difficult, especially when you know the innocence of your son,” said the elder Rodgers to the Guardian.
Now, with it all behind them, the pair can focus on not just their individual careers, but the relationship between the two.
But Brendan Rodgers is well aware of how fate can play a part in these matches. With Oldham having bombed Liverpool out of the Cup last season, the 40-year-old manager is taking no chances.
“It is also a situation that I will want the players to pay attention to,” said Rodgers, “because the footballing gods sometimes come into it as well. With the footballing gods, he could end up getting a goal.”
Now with Oldham, Anton has featured in seven league matches this season (two starts), and with Lee Johnson’s good relationship with the family, it’s certainly possible Anton could get a runout – if not a start – against his dad.
However much he plays, no question there will be a sense of family to the match’s atmosphere.

AS Roma midfielder Danielle De Rossi’s bluntly revealed his relief that his protracted transfer to Premier League reigning champions Manchester United didn’t happen this summer.
The Italian midfielder could’ve easily been suiting up at Old Trafford but the Red Devils bid came too late for the Italian giants to consider as they’d already agreed to keep De Rossi.
“It was a good thing that I didn’t go to Manchester, now I would have committed suicide!” De Rossi told Corriere dello Sport.
Quite often quotes from foreign stars are lost in translation.Let’s hope that’s the case with De Rossi.
Safe to say De Rossi is a relieved man that he didn’t switch his hometown team for Man United’s struggles in the Premier League season. That said, he could’ve worded his relief much better. The industrious Italian international midfielder has been at the heart of Roma’s resurgence this season, as Rudi Garcia’s side sit second in Serie A after leading the way for most of this season.
From the question he was asked, it was unclear whether De Rossi was referring to United’s poor form this season, or the fact that he would’ve been missing Roma’s return to the top after so many seasons of struggle. De Rossi, 30, has been with the capital club his entire career and would’ve obviously been devastated to miss their upward spiral. Here is the Guardian’s take on this story, as what De Rossi said clearly could have been taken differently given the context.
Plus he may have also been referring to his own form, which has catapulted considerably after a few less than illustrious campaigns at the heart of the Giallorossi‘s midfield. Now De Rossi is back in the frame for a pivotal role in Italy’s 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil, as the Azzuri aim to get back to the form that saw them become World Champions for the third-time in 2006.

I was in the French stadium in 1998 when Michael Owen electrified the world, holding off one Argentine defender with appreciable strength and then blowing past another one who was way too stationary. (Watch it here if you like.)
Owen (pictured) was just 18 years old, the flower of England football, and the world seemed to be there for the taking.
He certainly did go one to have a long career, but injuries stripped away so much of the potential along the way. So his retirement from the game falls with just a little more melancholy.
Owen was among the notable retirements of 2014. Obviously, David Beckham tops that list, but few people who follow the sport will forget that 2014 was the year that “Becks” tearfully walked away from it all. (Well, “it all” as a player, anyway.)
Same for Sir Alex Ferguson, who finally handed over the keys to his Old Trafford manager’s office. But there were plenty of other notable retirements, too.
It was quite a year all the way around for retirements of Old Trafford types: Owen, Ferguson, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville all made their bones in some part at Manchester United. Just down the road, Jamie Carragher was an institution at Liverpool, with 508 appearances for the storied club.
Alessandro Nesta, one of the true defensive greats in a land that knows how to appreciate them, walked away at age 37, his final two seasons having played out at Montreal.
Yet another Italian World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso hung ‘em up … although he cannot seem to stay out of the news, which is not a good thing in this case.
A more complete list of notable, global retirements is here from FIFA.com.

Wednesday’s transfer rumor roundup is led by news of Manchester United’s interest in Arturo Vidal to help strengthen their underperforming midfield in the hope of a Top 4 finish.
The Chile international is the most recent Juventus player named to transfer speculation with Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo already being linked to United and title-chasers Arsenal.
Despite noting his happiness in Turin and pledging his future to the Italian champions by signing a new contract through 2017, Vidal’s allegiance could be swayed if United are to break the bank and offer him a handsome contract.
Sticking with David Moyes‘ side new rumors have emerged that the champions are ready to sell Javier Hernandez to Arsenal, who are in desperate need of strikers following Nicholas Bendtner’s new injury and Olivier Giroud‘s overuse in the first half of the season. Whether United would actually sell Hernandez to a Premier League contender is a huge question and if it doesn’t transpire, the North London club could turn elsewhere.
One place would be Fulham, where wantaway striker Dimitar Berbatov could be available for as little as £2 million, right within Wenger’s financial wheelhouse. With relegation looming, the Cottagers won’t be excited at losing their best striker but with his contract set to expire in the summer this could be the only opportunity for them to be financially compensated for the Bulgarian’s services.
If Berbatov doesn’t pan out, Arsenal could turn to Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy in the summer. The Newcastle loanee is the jewel of the R’s stockpile but if the West London club fails to earn promotion to the Premier League this May, Remy will undoubtedly be sold off.
Speaking of the Magpies, Johnny Heitinga‘s diss of West Ham United – who had a deal in place with Everton to bring in the center-back – opens up the door for Newcastle to bid on the Dutchman. Alan Pardew‘s side has enjoyed defensive success this season with a two-man rotation of Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa but with Coloccini’s recent knee injury, additional depth is needed at St. James’ Park.
Two Premier League studs could be headed out of England are Yohan Cabaye and Juan Mata, both of whom are reportedly wanted by Paris Saint-Germain. The Ligue 1 outfit face light competition from United and Arsenal for Cabaye while Mata could be the subject of a massive £30 million bid by the Parisien giants. If they do exploit the English market, look for PSG to sell off Javier Pastore, Jérémy Ménez or Lucas Moura to balance the books.
In other Chelsea news, David Luiz could be the subject of a big money bid by Bayern Munich. Pep Guardiola has been scouting Luiz since his time as boss at Barcelona and reportedly has convinced the higher-ups at Bayern to splash the cash for the Brazilian dynamo. Luiz has enjoyed moderate success at Chelsea this season with form and injury issues relegating him to a third choice center-back behind John Terry and Gary Cahill.
 

Cardiff City has appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager to replace Malky Mackay.
The club’s official website announced the move:
“Cardiff City Football Club are delighted to announce that Ole Gunnar Solskjær has joined the club as first team manager.
“Following discussions with Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Club Chairman Mehmet Dalman, Ole, joining Cardiff City from Molde FK, today met with his new squad at the Vale training ground and will soon be unveiled to the press at Cardiff City Stadium.”
Following his playing career at Molde and Manchester United, Solskjaer spent three years as coach of United’s reserves (2008-11) before accepting the job at Molde in 2011. In three season with the club he’s won the league title twice as well as the 2013 Norwegian Cup.
Solskjaer’s first match in charge will be this Saturday when Cardiff heads to Newcastle United for a third round FA Cup clash.

From both sides of the equation, Ole Gunnar Solksjær’s hire at Cardiff City looks like a curious one. While the media caricature of Vincent Tan makes clear the obstacles facing the Bluebirds’ manager-to-be, there are also reasons to think the 40-year-old may not be the right man for Cardiff.
At least, that’s the case NBC Analyst Robbie Earle highlights when asked about the hire, above. As Earle notes, a man with more Premier League experience might stand a better chance at reversing the club’s current trend, one that has last season’s second division champions careening toward relegation.  Given the unique challenges Tan’s sure to pose, perhaps a person who has navigated these waters before would be best for the job?
As Kyle Martino notes, Solskjær hasn’t put himself in a good position either, going against some of his famous former boss’s advise. Choose stability when picking a job, Alex Ferguson’s said to have told Solksjær. Go for the owner, not the club.
If the common conception of Tan is true, Solskjær has gone against that advice. Then again, the common competition of the Glazer family claims they’re terrible owners, yet Ferguson enjoyed some of his most dominant years under their employ. It’s almost as if, from this side of the equation, we only see a very limited view of what these owners are all about, views a couple select factors (Malkay Mackay’s media savvy, the English media’s coverage of United’s debt) can skew.
Like the Glazers, perhaps there’s something about Tan we don’t know. For now, though, the Match of the Day panel is taking a wait-and-see approach to Solskjær’s appointment.

There’s fresh trouble for Alan Pardew, whose defensive depth at Newcastle United took a massive hit thanks to Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion.
Early reports say captain Fabricio Coloccini will be out for “four-to-six weeks” after suffering an injury in the second half, while standout back Mathieu Debuchy will miss three games after picking up a red card.
Coloccini hurt his medial ligament and limped off the pitch, while Debuchy’s undoing is undoubtedly his fault. The French outside back made a sliding two-footed challenge that was very dangerous even if it got ball.
This opens up spots in the squad, one presumably going for out-of-favor center back Steven Taylor. Massadio Haidara has been a super sub as of late and seem the favorite to fill in for Debuchy.
The Magpies are set for a six-game run against Manchester City, West Ham, Norwich City, Sunderland, Chelsea and Spurs.

Newcastle United looks to get back on the winning side and sweep a season’s fixtures with West Bromwich Albion for the first time since 2008/09 when they venture into the Hawthorns today (watch live on NBCSN, 10am ET and online via NBC Sports Live Extra).
The Magpies ended a strong run with a 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal on Sunday but will need to regroup immediately if they want their European hopes to remain bright; Newcastle has a date with Manchester City inside of a fortnight.
West Brom is struggling mightily even after sacking manager Steve Clarke, as they haven’t won in their last six matches and have gone four-straight at home without all three points. Their three points from six is second-worst in PL form, and the only team below them is the club they drew 3-3 last week (West Ham).
WATCH LIVE ONLINE VIA NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA
LINEUPS
West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Yacob, Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Brunt, Anelka
Subs: Myhill, Vydra, Berahino, Gera, Morrison, Long, Lugano
Newcastle United: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Cabaye, Tiote, Sissoko; Remy, Shola Ameobi, Gouffran
Subs: Elliot, Haidara, Yanga-Mbiwa, S.Taylor, Anita, Ben Arfa, Cisse