**Official Football (Soccer) Thread"

Copa Libertadores: Cruzeiro, Estudiantes advance to
semis


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MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -- Cruzeiro booked its spot in the Copa Libertadores semifinals with a 2-0 win over fellow-Brazilian team Sao Paulo on Thursday, while Estudiantes of Argentina defeated Uruguay's Defensor Sporting to advance.

Sao Paulo had two players sent off and Cruzerio took advantage of the extra men to come away with a 4-1 aggregate victory after winning 2-1 at home last month.

Estudiantes won 1-0 with a 13th minute goal from Leandro Benitez to down Defensor Sporting 2-0 on aggregate.

Sao Paulo's hopes of overturning its first-leg loss suffered a blow when Eduardo Costa was sent off just before half time for a second bookable offense with the score delicately poised at 0-0.

Cruzeiro took advantage of the extra player when Henrique scored from a long-range strike in the 66th minute.

Needing two goals to stay in the competition, Sao Paulo poured forward but suffered a double blow when Andre Dias conceded a penalty for hand ball and received a second yellow card in the 81st minute.

Kleber scored from the spot to seal Cruzeiro's passage to the semifinals.

Benitez gave Estudiantes breathing space against Defensor at La Plata, Argentina after capitalizing on a poor clearance by defender Pablo Pintos in the 13th minute.

After losing the first leg in Montevideo, Defensor fielded a weakened lineup with one eye on this weekend's final of Uruguay's national championship against Nacional.

Estudiantes had further chances to score when Juan Salgueiro's shot hit the post in the 36th minute and Benitez went clean through in the 77th minute, but any chance of a Defensor comeback disappeared when Carlos Diaz was sent off in the 82nd.

Cruzeiro will face another all-Brazilian matchup against Gremio in the semifinals, while Estudiantes will play a second Uruguayan team, Nacional. The home and away matches will be played on June 24 and July 1.

The two-legged final of the Copa Libertadores, celebrating its 50th edition this year, will be played on July 8 and 15.

All four remaining teams in the competition have won the title before. Estudiantes and Nacional have been champions three times, while Gremio and Cruzeiro have both won twice.

Estudiantes captain Juan Sebastian Veron will be hoping to emulate his father Juan Ramon who won the title with the La Plata club in 1968, 69 and 70.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/06/18/copa.thu.ap/index.html
 
Man Utd confirm Tevez will leave Old Trafford

Manchester United have confirmed that Carlos Tevez has decided to leave Old Trafford, despite being offering a deal which would have made him one of the highest paid players at Old Trafford.

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United chief executive David Gill had been in discussions with Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian, with the aim of keeping the popular Argentina star.

But, despite the offer of a lucrative five-year contract, the South American has decided to move on.

''Following contact received from Carlos Tevez's advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the club,'' said a statement released by United on Saturday morning.

''The club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5m and offered Carlos a five year contract which would have made him one of its highest paid players.

''Disappointingly however, his advisors informed the club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the club's most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.

''The club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future.''

The news will be greeted with dismay by United fans, who have warmed to Tevez's all-action style during a two-year 'loan' spell that has included successive Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.

They had hoped some of the £80m about to be pocketed from Real Madrid for the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo would be used to keep Tevez, who also impressed during a season with West Ham.

However, after declaring earlier this season he was deeply unhappy at a perceived lack of match action - even though he made more appearances than either Wayne Rooney or Dimitar Berbatov, it was always likely the South American would move on.

Tevez is certainly not short of options, with new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti keen to lure the former Boca Juniors star to Stamford Bridge.

Yet Manchester City are the favourites to confirm Tevez's capture, having made Joorabchian an offer said to be well in excess of United's.

As the Blues are on the verge of confirming Roque Santa Cruz's £18m arrival from Blackburn, it would represent a major statement of intent for a club also hoping to tie up the signing of Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.

It leaves United boss Sir Alex Ferguson with a major rebuilding job to do in attack given he is still to secure a replacement for Ronaldo.

Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck impressed last term and may be expected to have more involvement as United chase an unprecedented fourth successive title.

But Ferguson needs experience as well to compliment Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, who endured a patchy debut season at Old Trafford following his club record £30.75million arrival from Tottenham.

Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery have both been spoken of as potential targets, although there is no guarantee either will come.

And while Antonio Valencia's £18m arrival from Wigan should eventually go through, his lack of goalscoring prowess is a worry.

With Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar about to embark on what many think will be their final seasons in top flight football and memories of a comprehensive Champions League final defeat to Barcelona last month still fresh, Ferguson clearly has some unwanted headaches seven weeks ahead of the opening Premier League game against Birmingham.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=656150&sec=transfers&cc=5901
 
USA advances in the Confederations Cup with the 3-0 win over Egypt, and Brasil's 3-0 win over Italy. But now their next is opponent is Spain, who is undefeated in 16 straight matches(record).
 
Santa Cruz seals £17m Manchester City deal

Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz has completed his £17m move to Manchester City.

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The Paraguayan passed a medical with the Eastlands outfit and has now signed a deal to link up once more with Mark Hughes, his former manager at Blackburn.

Hughes has never made any secret of his desire to have Santa Cruz at City - as he brought the Paraguay international to Rovers for just £3.8m from Bayern Munich two years ago - and having assured themselves the knee injury that kept the South American out at the end of last season has fully cleared up, the Blues have completed the signing of the striker.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a tremendous first season in England but struggled for form and fitness following Hughes' move from Blackburn to Manchester in June 2008.

Monday's medical was passed despite Santa Cruz's troublesome knees. He has had three knee operations during his career; most recently in April, which ruled him out for the last three months of the 2008-09 Premier League season.

Santa Cruz is City's second signing, following the £12m capture of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, in a summer in which they are in the hunt for "four to six players" to "set the tone very clearly" for the club's pursuit of silverware, according to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

City are also reported to be pursuing Manchester United's Carlos Tevez and Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=656507&sec=transfers&cc=5901
 
ESPN to share La Liga's US TV rights with GOL

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NEW YORK (AP) -Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka will get a wider distribution platform in the United States next season.

ESPN said on Monday that it will start sharing U.S. television rights to Spain's La Liga with GolTV, which has broadcast the league for the past six seasons.

ESPN2 will televise about 20 matches per season, and ESPN Deportes two or three per weekend of league play for a total of at least 95. At least 114 matches per season will be available online on ESPN360. ESPN's networks will also share rights to Spain's Copa del Rey.

It doesn't hurt that Real Madrid has acquired Kaka, the 2007 FIFA player of the year, from AC Milan and is in the process of obtaining Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA player of the year, from Manchester United.

"We're excited that, about getting a premier league in the world at probably at the most exciting time in its recent history,'' said Lino Garcia, ESPN Deportes' general manager.

La Liga is dominated by Real Madrid and Barcelona, the current European Champions League winner. The teams have split the last five La Liga titles and 21 of the last 25.

The league's most-watched games, the two "clasico'' matchups between Barcelona and Real Madrid, likely will be simulcast by GolTV and ESPN. Last season, Barcelona's 2-0 victory over Real Madrid on Dec. 13 was seen by 258,000 Hispanic television households in the U.S., and Barca's 6-2 rout on May 2 by 189,000, GolTV said.

"This was not driven by Ronaldo or Kaka,'' said Rodrigo Lombello, GolTV's chief operating officer. "That was a nice addition, but it would have happened without the two.''

ESPN had held U.S. rights to the Champions League since 1994-95, but Fox Soccer Channel will take over next season under a three-year deal. Those matches are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while La Liga games are on weekends.

Barcelona's 2-0 victory over Manchester United in this year's Champions League final on May 27 was seen by 1,066,000 homes on ESPN.

"We've always looked at La Liga. One thing isn't totally dependent on the other,'' Garcia said. "It was always in the planning to look at a property like this.''

GolTV also has had U.S. rights to the German Bundesliga since the 2006-07 season and last month extended them through 2011-12.

FSC has rights to England's Premier League and Italy's Serie A, sublicensing part of its Premier League rights to Setanta US.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...la.liga.espn.2nd.ld.writethru.0511/index.html
 
This should be a massacre....

True but it makes me so happy to see Italy suffer when they refuse to call up younger players (Balotelli and giovinco). Especially since they seem to take pleasure in shitting on Balotellii when he is more Italian than cameronesi
 
Man U reportedly ready to pay $84M for Aguero

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Manchester United is reportedly ready to pay $84 million to sign Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid this summer, according to Spanish daily Marca.

The Argentine striker was not in great form last season but is still regarded as one of the best young talents in Europe and Man. United is apparently keen to bring him to Old Trafford.

However, as was reported earlier Tuesday, Atletico has stated that it will not be accepting any bids for Aguero or Diego Forlan, so any offer would have to be above his buy-out clause.

One positive factor for the English club is that it has a good relationship with IMG, which negotiates matters for the Argentine forward among others.

Apparently the player himself would not be against a move to United, and he would be an ideal replacement for not only Cristiano Ronaldo, but also Carlos Tevez. The Argentine looks set to move to cross-city rival Manchester City, leaving United short up front and in need of a new forward.

The Red Devils' plan is reportedly to talk to Atletico about a possible deal and to try and negotiate a suitable price for the forward.

If the Spanish club is not willing to sell for under the buy-out clause, then it is thought that United is willing to pay the $84 million fee.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/06/23/segio-aguero/index.html

Good replacement for Tevez if it happens.

 
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Estudiantes go 1-0 up in Copa Libertadores semi

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LA PLATA, Argentina (AP) -- Estudiantes beat Uruguay visitor Nacional 1-0 in the Copa Libertadores semifinals on Thursday.

Diego Galvan scored in the 14th minute but lost captain Juan Sebastian Veron to injury at halftime.

The return leg will be next Thursday at Centenario Stadium in Montevideo.

Cruzeiro took control of the other semifinal, defeating fellow Brazilian side Gremio 3-1 at home on Wednesday.

Estudiantes started quickly at Ciudad de la Plata Stadium, forcing Nacional goalkeeper Rodrigo Munoz into a double save in the eighth minute, pushing away a Gaston Fernandez effort before reacting quickly to block Mauro Boselli's followup.

Estudiantes grabbed the lead when Veron's quick free kick in his own half released Leandro Benitez on the right wing.

Benitez checked inside and crossed for Galvan to dive in front of Munoz to head in.

Nacional offered little in attack in the first half but had a clear chance to equalize three minutes after the restart when substitute Santiago Garcia arrived unmarked at the back post but headed wide.

After surviving the scare, Estudiantes had chances to extend the lead but Fernandez and substitute Maximiliano Nunez shot over from promising positions.

In the 89th, Fernandez put Boselli clean through on goal but Munoz saved the shot with his feet.

The finals are set for July 8 and 15.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/06/26/estudiantes.nacional.ap/index.html
 
:eek:

Da fauck have I been sleeping on this thread all this time.

Good shit MCP. :yes:

:angry: @ Adebayor being traded to AC Milan?
 
Forward Benzema joins Real Madrid from Lyon

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Karim Benzema is poised to become the latest big-name arrival at Real Madrid after Lyon accepted a bid from the Spanish side for the highly-rated France international.

The 21-year-old is set to join Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo in signing a six-year contract at the Bernabeu after his French employers agreed to a 35m euro (£29.7m) approach from Madrid, who with this deal will see their summer spending spree pass the 200m euro mark.

The fee could yet rise to 41m euros (£34.8m) dependent on performance clauses.

A statement posted on Madrid's official website this evening confirmed the deal, saying: ''Real Madrid C.F. and Olympique Lyonnais have reached an agreement for the transfer of Karim Benzema, contingent upon the player's medical examination and the signing of his contracts.

''The 21-year-old striker will sign a six-year contract with Real Madrid.''

Benzema will become Florentino Perez's fourth signing since returning to the Madrid presidency a month ago, following the arrivals of Kaka, Ronaldo and Raul Albiol.

Madrid and Manchester United had been vying for the services of Benzema but a deal appeared unlikely with Lyon continuing to insist before today that the player would remain at the Stade Gerland for at least one more season.

However, Les Gones announced the deal on their official website on Wednesday afternoon.

The statement on olweb.fr read: ''A few days ago Karim Benzema informed the club president Jean Michel Aulas of his desire to move to the Madrid club, which had always been his favourite club after Lyon, earlier than he had foreseen.

''The player wanted to seize the opportunity which Real Madrid offered him to be one of the major elements in their new ambitious project based around the greatest players of the world.

''Lyon accepted Karim Benzema's decision and negotiated the conditions of a transfer which satisfies all the different parties. The club wishes Karim the greatest success with Real Madrid.''

The France forward came through the ranks at Lyon and burst onto the scene in the 2007-08 season with 31 goals in 51 games, a streak that saw him named Ligue 1 player of the year as well as top the league's scoring charts.

The last campaign was less impressive for both club and player, as Lyon ended the season without the Ligue 1 title for the first time in eight years, but Benzema nevertheless scored 23 goals in all competitions - an average of a goal every other game.
 
U.S. up to 12th on FIFA rankings

ZURICH (AP) -- Brazil ended Spain's one-year reign as the world's top soccer team and the United States moved up two spots to No. 12, the highest ranking for the Americans in three years.

The FIFA rankings released Wednesday reflected last month's Confederations Cup, where Brazil rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the United States 3-2 in Sunday's final. The United States hasn't been ranked this highly since it was fifth in June 2006, before its first-round elimination at the World Cup in Germany. The Americans, who hit their high of fourth in April 2006, dropped as low as 31st (November 2006-January 2007 and August 2008).

Brazil rose four spots to gain the top spot for the first time since it held it for two months in July-August 2007 after winning the Copa America. Brazil had been No. 1 for 55 months before it was overtaken by world champion Italy in February 2007.

Spain, upset by the U.S. 2-0 in the Confederations Cup semifinals last week, slipped to second. Spain had held the top spot since last July, a month after winning the European Championship for its first major title in 44 years.

Netherlands fell one spot to third, Italy stayed fourth and Germany slipped two places to fifth. Russia, England, Argentina, France and Croatia rounded out the top 10, and Greece was just ahead of the United States in 11th.

North Korea jumped 23 spots to No. 83 after it qualified for its first World Cup since 1966.
 
Valdano: Real have given up on signing Villa

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Real Madrid have confirmed they have abandoned their pursuit of highly-rated Valencia striker David Villa after clinching a deal to sign Olympique Lyonnais forward Karim Benzema.

Benzema agreed a €35m (£29.7m) deal with the Spanish club on Wednesday and Madrid's director general Jorge Valdano said that his capture, along with that of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, means they don't need another goalscorer.

"Benzema fulfils the goal of having a striker, a goal scorer who brings a lot of presence and aggression to the forward line," Valdano said.

When asked if the French international's arrival had put an end to their bid for Villa the Real chief said: "Benzema and Villa both have these [goal scoring] characteristics so the answer to your question is yes."

Last month it appeared that Madrid were on the verge of signing Villa from cash-strapped Los Che but the club decided not to sell their star player at the last moment and Real later declared the deal to be "100% finished".

Meanwhile, former Valencia defender Raul Albiol has become the latest player to be presented to the fans at the Santiago Bernabeu following his €15m (£13m) switch from the Estadio Mestalla.

The Spain international, who has recently returned from the Confederations Cup in South Africa, said: "I don't have to say that I'm very happy to be here. It comes with great pride to be welcomed like that."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=658809&sec=europe&cc=5901
 
Estudiantes hold off Nacional to reach final

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Striker Mauro Boselli scored twice to give Estudiantes a 2-1 win over Nacional of Uruguay on Wednesday and send them into their fifth Libertadores Cup final.

The Argentine side, title winners three years in a row from 1968 to 1970, went through 3-1 on aggregate and will meet the winners of Thursday's all-Brazilian semi-final between Gremio and Cruzeiro, who are 3-1 up.

Estudiantes, without injured captain Juan Sebastian Veron, deserved their success with the better performance in the semi-final second leg in front of a partisan Centenario crowd after the clubs decided against allowing visiting fans.

Nacional, also three times South American champions, were too cautious for a team facing a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in La Plata last week and only after equalising 14 minutes from time did they put real urgency into their game.

Boselli gave Estudiantes the lead in the 53rd minute when midfielder Gaston Fernandez won the ball from defender Sebastian Coates and sent the striker through to beat goalkeeper Rodrigo Munoz.

Alexander Medina equalised in the 76th when he brought down Nicolas Lodeiro's free kick and volleyed past goalkeeper Mariano Andujar from close range.

It was the first goal Argentina keeper Andujar had conceded in nine matches in the tournament, dating back to March during the group stage.

With Nacional going all out in attack looking to score twice more to counter Estudiantes' 1-0 first-leg win and away goal, they were exposed at the back and Boselli finished off with the winner in stoppage time.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=658614&sec=global&cc=5901

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Copa Libertadores: Cruzeiro reaches final

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PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) -- Cruzeiro reached the Copa Libertadores final thanks to a quickfire double from Wellington Paulista which sealed a 5-3 aggregate win over Gremio in their all-Brazilian semifinals on Thursday.

Wellington scored in the 35th and 36th minutes before Rever and Souza struck in the second half to level the score. But Cruzeiro's 3-1 win at home in the first leg proved decisive.

Gremio defender Adilson was sent off for a professional foul in the 60th.

Cruzeiro will play Argentine club Estudiantes in the two-legged finals of the Latin American championship on July 8 and 15.

Estudiantes beat Nacional of Uruguay 3-1 on aggregate on Wednesday.

Gremio had plenty of support from a 45,000-capacity crowd in Olimpico Stadium but faced a difficult task overturning the two-goal, first-leg deficit.

Argentine strikers Maxi Lopez and German Herrera had chances for Gremio in the first 20 minutes and Fabio Santos shot over from Tcheco's pass after 23.

Gremio could not make the pressure pay however, and Cruzeiro hit on the break when Kleber wriggled free on the right and centered for Wellington to score.

Barely 90 seconds later, Wellington sprung the offside trap to head in Jonathan's cross past Gremio goalkeeper Victor.

Rever halved the deficit with a header from Tcheco's cross in the 56th, but Adilson was shown a straight red card four minutes later for fouling Wagner when the Cruzeiro forward was clean through on goal.

Souza struck a long-range goal in the 76th to equalize but Cruzeiro's advantage from the first leg was enough.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/07/02/copa.thu.ap/index.html

Brasil vs Argentina once again.
 
Where you headed to homey? We'l try and hold it down while you're out. :yes:

And yea, Owen is a Manchester on a "pay as you go" contract. He'll be broke by midseason. :smh:
 
Cristiano Ronaldo unveiled with Real Madrid.

After six years of seeing him tear England up in the Red Shirt, this white change personally looks weird for me. But all the best to him. I hope he continues to tear and threaten teams in La Liga. :yes:

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Thousands greet Ronaldo's "dream" move

July 7, 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted by a huge crowd of adoring fans as he was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Monday evening.

The former Manchester United player, who moved to the Bernabeu in a world record £80m deal, said that it was a "childhood dream" to sign for the Spanish giants.

It is thought 80,000 fans flocked to the club's stadium for the event - the largest such gathering since Diego Maradona attracted 75,000 when signing for Napoli from Barcelona in 1984.

"I am just so happy to be here,'' he told the supporters inside the ground. "For me, I have made my childhood dream a reality, which was nothing less than playing for Real Madrid.

"I didn't expect a jam-packed stadium - this is truly impressive.''

Speaking at a press conference after his presentation, Ronaldo again said that Real are "the closest club to my heart'' - but admitted it was a wrench to leave England.

"Thank you to all (United) supporters, the boss (Sir Alex Ferguson), friends and team-mates - I've been there six years and have friends there. But people respect my decision,'' he said.

"The great challenge now, and dream, is to play at Real Madrid but I'm going to miss many things in Manchester.''

He said there was no bad blood over his exit. "It was good,'' he said of his departure. "My relationship with him [Sir Alex Ferguson] was always good and will stay that way forever.

"I went to Manchester, spoke to them and everything was fine. Life goes on.''

On his transfer fee, he added: "I have always thought that the best clubs, to have the best players, have to pay - so Real Madrid did a good thing. It was a correct decision.

"I understand...it is not your everyday thing to manage these figures, but I'm happy to be the most expensive player in the history of football and I'm going to prove that they paid good money for me and it was worth it.''

Ronaldo will wear the number nine shirt. Ronaldo registered the CR9 trademark at the start of the year.

Returning Real president Florentino Perez said: "We are very satisfied to know that you made the firm decision to play for Real Madrid. They [the fans] will ask of you the very best, but will also give you their all.''

As with Kaka last week, Ronaldo was brought out onto a stage which displayed all of the club's European Cups.

Raul Albiol has also signed with Karim Benzema set to move from Lyon shortly.

Ronaldo completed his medical earlier on Monday with Carlos Diez, Real's medical chief, told the club's official website: "(Ronaldo) is in perfect condition and very eager to start the season as soon as possible.

"He has an extraordinary cardiac and lung capacity. We have complemented everything that we already did in Portugal and done all the specific tests.

"Now we will be able to start working using an individual plan in order to improve his performance.

"For him (Ronaldo), it's a dream, and this dream starts to convert into reality from today.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=659400&sec=europe&cc=5901
 
Milan sign Onyewu

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July 7, 2009

AC Milan have quickly wrapped up a deal for United States centre back Oguchi Onyewu on Tuesday in a bid to quell supporter unrest over their transfer policy.

Onyewu had a great Confed Cup for the U.S team
The 27-year-old, who impressed in the U.S. side's run to the Confederations Cup final last month, has joined on a free transfer from Standard Liege and penned a three-year contract.

The club announced the signing on their website and pointed out he holds a Belgian passport, which means Onyewu will not count as one of only two non-EU players Italian sides are allowed to sign each season.

Milan's interest in the defender had barely been mentioned in the media and his signing comes just a day after hundreds of fans protested at the first day of pre-season training.

Ultra fans chanted slogans and unveiled banners criticising owner Silvio Berlusconi and the decision to sell playmaker Kaka to Real Madrid for 67 million euros ($94 million).

The Rossoneri, who lost coach Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea having finished third in Serie A last season, had previously only signed Brazil defender Thiago Silva and little-known young players.

They are seeking a new striker with Real forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Sevilla's Luis Fabiano, Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and VfL Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko in the frame.

Onyewu could end up partnering Silva in central defence given captain Paolo Maldini retired at the end of last season and Alessandro Nesta and Kakha Kaladze are injury prone.

Milan, now coached by rookie Brazilian Leonardo, have also announced that midfielder Massimo Ambrosini will be the new captain.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=659479&sec=europe&cc=5901
 
Premier League confirms first batch of TV games

The first set of TV matches for the 2009-10 have been confirmed. ESPN will broadcast 46 live games in the United Kingdom this coming season.

ESPN's first live match will see Everton play host to Arsenal at Goodison Park at 17.15 BST on August 15 with the Toffees looking to set out their stall as challengers for a place in the Champions League.

Lynne Frank, Managing Director for ESPN for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, said: "We're clearly delighted to be able to broadcast 46 Barclays Premier League matches this season on ESPN.

"We will kick off our coverage with a clash between Everton and Arsenal, live on the new ESPN channel at 5.15pm on Saturday, August 15. ESPN's coverage of the matches announced today will bring excitement, surprises and drama to football fans. We are pleased to be a part of the beautiful game, and look forward to delivering fans top quality coverage as the season unfolds."

The full list of live games are as follows. Games on ESPN are shown in bold:

August
Sat 15: Chelsea v Hull (12.45 BST); Everton v Arsenal (17.15)
Sun 16: Man United v Birmingham (13.30); Spurs v Liverpool (16.00)
Sun 23: West Ham v Spurs (13.30); Fulham v Chelsea (16.00)
Mon 24: Liverpool v Aston Villa (20.00)
Sat 29: Chelsea v Burnley (12.45); Man United v Arsenal (17.15)
Sun 30: Portsmouth v Man City (13.30); Aston Villa v Fulham (16.00)

September
Sat 12: Spurs v Man United (17.15)
Sun 13: Birmingham v Aston Villa (12.00); Fulham v Everton (16.15)
Sat 19: Burnley v Sunderland (12.45); West Ham v Liverpool (17.15)
Sun 20: Man United v Man City (13.30); Chelsea v Spurs (16.00)
Sat 26: Portsmouth v Everton (12.45); Fulham v Arsenal (17.15)
Sun 27: Sunderland v Wolves (16.00)
Mon 28: Man City v West Ham (20.00)

October
Sat 3: Man United v Sunderland (17.15)
Sun 4: Arsenal v Blackburn (13.30); Chelsea v Liverpool (16.00)
Mon 5: Aston Villa v Man City (20.00)
Sat 17: Aston Villa v Chelsea (12.45)
Sun 18: Blackburn v Burnley (1300); Wigan v Man City (16.00)
Mon 19: Fulham v Hull (20.00)
Sat 24: Wolves v Aston Villa (12.45); Chelsea v Blackburn (17.15)
Sun 25: Liverpool v Man United (14.00 GMT); West Ham v Arsenal (1615)
Sat 31: Arsenal v Spurs (12.45); Man United v Blackburn (17.15)

November
Sun 1: Birmingham v Man City (16.00)
Sat 7: Wolves v Arsenal (17.15)
Sun 8: Hull v Stoke (13.30;) Chelsea v Man United (16.00)
Mon 9: Liverpool v Birmingham (20.00)
Sat 21: Liverpool v Man City (12.45); Man Utd v Everton (17.15)
Sun 22: Bolton v Blackburn (13.30); Stoke v Portsmouth (16.00)
Sat 28: Aston Villa v Spurs (17.15)
Sun 29: Everton v Liverpool (13.30); Arsenal v Chelsea (16.00)

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=659920&sec=england&cc=5901
 
^^^^^^^^^

This does not mean we in the States will be watching the Prem on ESPN is it?..... Yes?.......no?
I know the only way you get to watch live EPL games is by FSC. If so then that's good news.
Haiti almost surprised "Team USA" granted it's USA team B. Interesting match[arguably] I've watched in the on going Gold Cup so far.
 
^^^^^^^^^

This does not mean we in the States will be watching the Prem on ESPN is it?..... Yes?.......no?
I know the only way you get to watch live EPL games is by FSC. If so then that's good news.
Haiti almost surprised "Team USA" granted it's USA team B. Interesting match[arguably] I've watched in the on going Gold Cup so far.

yep the EPL and Li Liga will be on espn
 
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