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Saturday:

Arsenal v. Aston Villa: Arsenal welcomes Villa to the Emirates on Saturday after a difficult week following the horrible incident that occurred in Birmingham. Arsenal is stretched with many injuries in their team, and Aston Villa will be looking to capitalize on this. Martin O’Neill’s squad has been playing very well this season and of late has been playing some captivating football. Olof Mellberg has gotten back to fitness, and Villa will need his experience against Adebayor. Watch for Theo Walcott, this is his time to shine, and after he scored twice against Birmingham, he is full of confidence.

Schalke v. Bayern Munich: Schalke coach Mirko Slomka, is on thin ice with his chairman after back to back defeats in the last two weeks. Schalke has fallen into fifth position in the Bundesliga, nine points behind their opponent on Saturday, Bayern Munich. Bayern Munich barely scraped out an extra time win during the midweek in a DFB-Pokal match. Luca Toni was sent off in the match, which means Bayern will be without his services as well as Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lucio, Miroslav Klose, and Martin Demichelis. Frank Ribery will receive his first start in a month, but Bayern will be lacking in attacking options. This is a great opportunity for Schalke to get a win.

Barcelona v. Atletico Madrid: Barcelona has been flying of late, and Lionel Messi has been a man possessed with the ball at his feet. Although Barca was lucky during the midweek to earn a draw in the Copa Del Rey, they will be visiting a lack luster side in Atletico Madrid. Atletico has been knocked out of both the UEFA Cup and the Copa Del Rey in recent weeks, and Barca will be looking to close the gap on Real Madrid at the top of the table. Ronaldinho will return to the side, after being rested in the midweek and the formidable attack of Barcelona will be on display.

Sunday:

Juventus v. Fiorentina: The game of the weekend in the Italian Serie A has Juventus hosting Fiorentina in the Stadio Olimpico in Turin. Fiorentina, sitting in fourth position, has been losing points in the last two matches with AC Milan nipping at their heels. Fiorentina has lost their leading goal scorer in Adrian Mutu, so it will be up to Christian Vieri to score some important goals. Juventus is very close to both Fiorentina and Milan on points, and they know that this a playoff for the Champions League. Nedved and center-back Chiellini will be missing for the Turin outfit, and if Fiorentina can beat Juve and Milan beat Lazio, three points will separate the three teams.

By: Christopher Chantland

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The Son's of Ben are the Fanatical Followers of the Philadelphia Team

Philadelphia has been awarded the Sixteenth MLS Franchise on Thursday, and will start play in 2010.

Although the team is unnamed at the moment, the Philadelphia Independence is the leader in the clubhouse at the moment. The team will be playing in a soccer specific stadium which will hold 18,500 people on the Delaware River waterfront. The team will be placed in the suburb of Chester, southwest of Philadelphia, in hopes of redeveloping the area as well as providing a good environment for a match.

Philadelphia has been lacking a soccer team since 1980, and that was a women’s side. Philadelphia provides another great city where lively fans can create bitter rivalries with the surrounding teams from New York, Washington D.C., and the New England Revolution. Bitter rivalries and fanatical supporters will help the MLS, and I cannot wait until the Philadelphia franchise is competing against those specific teams.

By: Christopher Chantland

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The First Episode for Jose Mourinho's new signee, Sven Goran Eriksson.

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Carling Cup Final: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea AET

Common You Spurs! That was the cry around Wembley stadium after Tottenham beat Chelsea in the Carling Cup Final. In a match in which Avram Grant’s team selection has come under fire, for not picking Ballack and Alex, and picking Lampard and Terry, Chelsea was second best on the day. Spurs went a goal down after forty minutes, and looked to be losing the plot a bit until the end of the half. Yet, after the break, Spurs were attacking with menace, and finally got a penalty on seventy minutes. After Berbatov converted the penalty, the match went into extra time. After just four minutes, a ball was swung in and Jonathan Woodgate got a head on the ball that luckily found the back of the net. Cech was found wanting, and Spurs held on to win the match after 120 minutes of play.

Roma 1-0 Fiorentina:

Roma pulled within nine points of Inter Milan in their victory against Fiorentina. Totti equaled the clubs record of 386 appearances, while Cicinho, the Brazilian right back both scored the winner and was sent off in the match. Fiorentina looked the better side in the beginning of the match, yet suffered a large set back when Adrian Mutu was injured and was forced to leave the match. From that point on, Roma was pressing forward and dominated the match until the goal was scored in the fifty-fourth minute. Roma defended stoutly there after until the final ten minutes where Fiorentina headed wide of the target twice and a few long range efforts, which somewhat troubled Doni. But Roma prevailed in the end, and earned the three points.

Bayern Munich 1-1 Hamburg

From the Allianz Arena, Hamburg was able to keep their Championship and Champions League spots alive with earning a draw away from home. Bayern Munich dominated most of the proceedings and most of the possession in the first half of the match. Ze Roberto and Toni both went close in the first half, but the strongest defense in the Bundesliga held. After the break, Bayern kept pouring on the pressure, but when Ze Roberto was caught in possession near his goal, Olic made him pay with a strike that beat Oliver Kahn. But after the goal was scored, “Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man”, when Franck Ribery was put on, and immediately made a contribution by playing Ze Roberto in to score from close range. Van Bommel was sent off in the ninetieth minute, but by then, a draw was seen as a fair result.

Eduardo Da Silva:

Most people have seen the horrific injury that Eduardo Da Silva suffered in the match against Birmingham. He suffered a full compound fracture of his fibula and a dislocation of his ankle from Martin Taylor’s challenge. Silva’s doctor has praised the quickness in which Eduardo was treated because of the severity of the injury he could have lost his foot to amputation. With any luck, Eduardo will be able to sufficiently walk and run again, but his professional career is on shaky ground. My strike partner on one of my squads suffered the exact same injury, and luckily he is still playing today, hopefully Eduardo Da Silva will recover as my friend did.

By: Christopher Chantland

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Saturday:

Bayern Leverkusen v. Shalke:

This is an important match between two sides with Champions League aspirations for next year. Both teams are tied on points in the Bundesliga, and will be hoping to put some distance between one another with a win. It will be interesting to see how both sides respond because both played in the midweek, with Leverkusen just playing yesterday, leaving only 48 hours in between matches. Look for Kevin Kuranyi to try and expose the tired back line of Leverkusen and the second half to become wide open, which should be great for the match.

Sunday:

Carling Cup Final, Tottenham v. Chelsea:

This hopefully will be a proper final at the Wembley Stadium. Tottenham will be looking for their first silverware in some time, and the Spurs fans will be biting their fingernails. Both teams have been playing some attractive football which has been very attractive. Chelsea will probably play a 4-3-3 with Anelka, Drogba, and Cole playing in the front three. Spurs will be playing with the diminutive Berbatov and Keane up front. On the spacious pitch at Wembley stadium, players like Huddelstone and Ballack will be able to spray balls all around the pitch and open up the defenses of both sides, enjoy.

Roma v. Fiorentina:

This is the cracking match in the Serie A this weekend. Roma played fairly well against a great Real Madrid side during the midweek. Totti was absolute quality, and his stringing of passes and controlling the flow of the game looked like a conductor of an orchestra. Although in this match, Roma will be playing against another striker on the peak of his form, Adrian Mutu. He has been missing in the big matches somewhat, and hopefully both strikers will put on a show for the masses.

Bayern Munich v. Hamburg:

This is another great match in the Bundesliga this weekend that puts the top of the league squad against the squad in third position. Bayern are playing at home, although two weekends ago, that didn’t help in the match against Werder Bremen in which they earned a draw. Bayern put on an impressive display against Aberdeen yesterday, while Hamburg traveled to Switzerland in the midweek to advance in the UEFA Cup. By the second half, the game should open up as it will in the Shalke/Bayern Leverkusen match, because of the exhaustion factor. Should be a quality match, with some great players on hand.

By: Christopher Chantland

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Haunted Almunia

If we thought Mad Jens Lehman was a bit bonkers, how about this story about the new number one goalkeeper for Arsenal. Manuel Almunia has claimed that his house in North London is haunted.

Almunia and his wife have been visited by ghosts or different sounds. Ana, Almunia’s wife, saw a monk like figure holding a candle in his hand, while Almunia didn’t see the ghost he was quoted saying he was “s*** scared”. Almunia has heard many sounds such as chains rattling or dragged on the ground. When he and his wife first moved in to the house, the couple was awoken by their stereo being turned on at full volume level.

Almunia wasn’t aware when he first moved in that his house was built on a former asylum. The Leavesden Hospital, which was closed in the 1990’s, housed many insane and mental patients. Apparently, Almunia has been so spooked recently, Arsene Wenger has given him permission to visit his wife at lunch so as to not leave his wife alone.

By: Christopher Chantland

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CBS’ Sixty Minutes did a story yesterday on the happiest country on earth, and the winner was Denmark. Most people probably thought, as I did a place like Fiji, the Bahamas or another getaway island or sunny place would win. Yet, it was explained and it made sense that the modest living and modest expectations allow for more happiness in their lives.

One of the examples they used was the triumph of the 1992 Denmark football team winning the Euro’s. One expert explained that the country still probably hasn’t fully recovered from the euphoria because of its modest expectations. The team hadn’t even qualified for the Euro’s, yet tensions and problems in Eastern Europe slotted the Danes in the tournament. With such low expectations, after not even qualifying, they were able to play without fear of disappointment, and win the Euro’s.

In stark contrast, think about the almost unfair expectations that the English put on their players and coaches. The best comparison was when the English played the Danes in a warm up match for the World Cup qualifiers later rounds. The English were amazed that a team like Denmark could beat them, and beat them badly in Denmark. Yet, the more amazed of the fans were the Danes in Copenhagen, and were so happy, that they missed out on qualifying for the World Cup.

Yet, with all of the highs and lows that the Danish people have endured, they keep themselves on an even keel and the modest expectations and living help them stay happy.

By: Christopher Chantland

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Zidane hasn’t been out of football for very long, yet it seems that not everyone in France remembers who their French savior is.

Ronaldo is in hospital in Paris having undergone surgery for the career-threatening ruptured tendon in his knee that he suffered in last Wednesday’s match. While Ronaldo has been given many messages of support from fans all over the world, yet Zidane called the hospital to offer his own personally. It was more difficult than Zidane thought it would be because the hospital operator didn’t recognize Zidane’s name, and didn’t allow him to speak to Ronaldo.

Zidane retired only two years ago do people have such short memories that one of the best players of all time can’t talk to another great? Quite funny and also scary right?

By: Christopher Chantland

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Manchester United 4-0 Arsenal: Wow, Manchester United took Arsenal to the woodshed, and taught the Premier League leaders that the title race isn’t over. Yes, Arsenal didn’t have their first team out on the pitch, and were probably looking forward to their Champions League tie with AC Milan. Yet, Arsenal was second best in every phase of the match, from the first whistle of the match, which is unlike an Arsene Wenger squad.

Manchester United was very impressive, whilst Ronaldo was sitting in the stands. Nani, Rooney, and Darren Fletcher all scored, but played a quality match in total. Anderson stood out as the player with the most influence on the match playing strong on the defensive end and pushing the ball forward into the attacking third. Manchester United plays Lyon in the midweek, and if they play the way they did on the weekend, they should get an away win.

Juventus 1-0 Roma: In a good match from Turin, an Alessandro Del Pierro stunning free kick from about twenty yards gave Juve the win. Both teams played a good match, and created some great chances, but the strong performance by the home side, allowed for them to take all three points. Totti had a somewhat disappointing game, while Mancini and De Rossi put in strong performances for Roma. Pavel Nedved, Del Pierro and David Trezeguet were dangerous every time they touched the ball, and threatened the Roma goal, testing Doni on several occasions.

Juve haven’t lost in fourteen matches, and have been playing brilliant football. They are now only one point behind Roma, while Roma wathced as an Inter win and their loss opening the gap to eleven points for the title race. Roma have a tough tie against Real Madrid in the midweek, and hope they can get a better result than they had on Saturday.

By: Christopher Chantland

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This weekend doesn’t provide quite the drama that last weekend’s did, yet there are two fixtures that still fulfill your need for great football.

FA Cup Fifth Round

Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal: Whilst my prediction is a blind one, this match still promises to capture the drama that Man Utd./Arsenal always seems to. None of the media members have any idea on what level of squads will be placed on the pitch due to the amount of matches coming up in the coming weeks. Arsenal has to be wary of their midweek clash with AC Milan in the Champions League while Man Utd. visit Lyon. As well, Arsenal is now ahead by five points in the Premier League table, and both teams don’t want to risk injury in the FA Cup. Regardless of all of these points, I still believe it will be a quality match, and live up to the level of football which Arsenal/Man Utd..

Serie A

Juventus 1-1Roma: It’s another clash of the titans in this match on Saturday. Roma sit in second place in the race for the Scudetto, while Juve are in third, and trailing Roma by four points. This is a critical match for Roma because if they want to have any chance of catching Inter Milan, Roma will have to take all three points tomorrow. Juventus, who have been playing well of late, will be looking to gain ground on Roma and hoping they can get into that second spot, so they do not have to play in any Champions League qualifying matches. Hopefully both teams will play very open and let their free flowing attacking players get some space.

By: Christopher Chantland

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Giovanni Trapattoni is the New Ireland Coach

The Italian style and influence on world football is now becoming very prevalent. Fabio Capello and Giovanni Trapattoni have both been named managers for the England and Ireland jobs. This marks a change in the philosophy of football, which for many years had been “total football”, the Dutch way of playing football.

Fabio Capello and Giovanni Trapattoni are two rather well traveled football managers that have had success at almost every place they have managed. They’re style of play is very Italian, and love to promote the Azzuri style of football, not normally used in England or Ireland. Capello and Trapattoni both like to use a strong defense along with either one or even two holding midfielders. Controlling the ball and commanding the center of the midfield is the most important part. This influence of the Italian way of football mirrors the same way the Dutch football influenced soccer for many years.

After the great run of the Dutch sides during the 70’s and 80’s, many other national and club sides elected to run the “total football” system. More recently, Guss Hiddink took a South Korean side to the semi-finals of the World Cup, using the same system, a country without a great footballing history. This success displayed that the Dutch system is still very relevant. But after the Italians won the World Cup, it has been an Italian onslaught, and the influence has truly been potent already.

It will be interesting to see how effective the Italian revolution will be both in England and Ireland. If the test proves to be a success, the Azzuri style of football will only grow in the world, and probably become as dominant as the famous “total football” system.

By: Christopher Chantland

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Jim Rome the Number One Hater

After yesterday’s rant from the terrible writer T.J. Simers, I decided to highlight the fact that there are many soccer haters that are still very prominent in our media. The simple fact is these people never talk about the sport unless it has some negative connotation with the sport.

The number one piss taker is that loveable radio show host Jim Rome. I have never heard any positive feedback about the game of soccer from his lips. The biggest stint of soccer on his show was two events, one was the Inter/AC Milan flare event, and last year when he was outraged that a liquored up Eric Wynalda spoke poorly about Jim Rome. The Wynalda incident was by far the best depiction of how the soccer haters are still so prevalent in the media, because Wynalda has now lost his job at ESPN over the comments he made about Rome. On a side note, Jim Rome said that the only guy he respected in soccer was Eric Wynalda before the incident, which shows us that Jim Rome doesn’t have any knowledge about the game.

My next person is someone who I actually used to listen to on an almost daily basis, yet have been reluctant to listen after comments about soccer. Collin Cowherd is the classic radio show host that has fallen in love with his image, and now is to big to talk about alternate subjects. There have been several segments on his show where he has “you soccer fans” call in and try to defend the sport. Defend our sport? Does he realize how many people watched the regular league match between Manchester United and Arsenal? I can guarantee it was ten times as many people that watched any regular season American football game!

I understand that soccer isn’t going to be as large as the NFL in this nation, and it probably won’t be as big as the NBA or MLB, yet give it a chance. My wish is that the media that hates soccer, just shut up about it. I don’t mind if you don’t talk about the quality of Inter Milan and Manchester United, but don’t talk about the few small bad things in our game. Whether these hosts like it or not, the game of soccer is slowly growing in this country, and people now have many other media outlets to get there soccer fix.

By: Christopher Chantland

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Landon Donavon Will Be Playing
his Galaxy Teammate David Beckham

Well there are reports out today that the United States Men’s National Team will be going to Wembley Stadium in late May for a friendly against our Colonial Cousin's. This is a perfect situation for everyone involved in either Association of soccer, especially those two teammates on the LA Galaxy.

Firstly, this is a big test for the United States. Yes, England didn’t qualify for EURO 2008, but it’s hard to dismiss that their top squad of players are not world class. As well, this is a big test in a very nasty environment on European soil to get the nerves out before they play against Spain. As well, the dynamic of playing our colonial cousin’s, on their soil, has to be salivating to anyone reading this.

Secondly, this is the chance Fabio Capello to start David Beckham and give him his century of caps for his country. It’s the perfect situation, Becks playing against some of the players he plays against in the MLS as well as his own teammate Landon Donovan. Landon has seemed to be lacking an influence on the past few International matches, but with Becks on the pitch, you know Landon will want to put in a great performance. The dynamic will be quite interesting, especially because no one person knows how good or stable the relationship between the “poster boy” of American soccer and the “poster boy” for the entire game of soccer, really is.

What are your thoughts on this tasty fixture?

By: Christopher Chantland

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Manchester City 1-3 Manchester United: This promises to be the best match of the weekend. Firstly, it’s the Manchester Derby, always a great fixture, and normally with lot's of goals. Secondly, Manchester United will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the “Munich Air Disaster”. Both sides will be dressed in kits that don’t have any sponsors, and will all be wearing black boots to commemorate the memory of the people who lost their lives. Thirdly, the fans hate each other, and it will be interesting to see if the minute silence will be observed in good nature. Manchester United, in trying to ease tension, has apparently taken down a banner that reminds City fans that they haven’t won any silverware in thirty-two years. This match can be seen on Setanta, on Sunday at 8:30 AM ET.

Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea: This fixture always promises to be nuts. Liverpool will be without Fernando Torres, which is a shame to the match, and the reason I picked Chelsea to win. Michael Ballack has been unstoppable of late, and so has the form of Chelsea. Stamford Bridge has been a fortress for Chelsea as well, and it will be rocking as they welcome their "new rivals", since they have seen Liverpool so frequently, to London. This fixture can be seen on FSC on Sunday, at 11 AM ET.

Barcelona 2-2 Sevilla: Barca goes into Sevilla without seven first team members. They have closed the gap to six points between Real Madrid and themselves, although Sevilla are a good side. Sevilla are looking to maintain their Champions League spot, and will look to take Barca to task without some of their key squad members. This match is on Gol TV, on Saturday, at 4 PM ET.

Werder Bremen 1-1 Bayern Munich: Now here is a tasty fixture. Bayern will be without the services of Ribery, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that this is number one against number two in the table. This promises to be a heated affair and is definitely worth a few hours. Quality players on both sides, and in the Allianz Arena, which promises to have a great atmosphere. You can watch this match on Gol TV on Sunday at 11 AM ET.

Egypt 3-0 Cameroon: The African Cup of Nations final has the winner of the last tournament Egypt against Cameroon. Egypt is coming off a huge win against the Ivory Coast, in a match that they dominated. Cameroon barely scraped by the host’s Ghana, and it will be a difficult match for them. It will be a difficult game to watch if you haven’t already subscribed to watch the entire tournament, but try to find someone who can tape it, because this should be quite a spectacle.

By: Christopher Chantland

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Well as usual, there are many issues going on at Ebbsfleet United. Firstly, we are debating the issue and voting on joining up with Nike for our new kit design, here is the link to see the home and away kits we are voting on. We believe with the right merchandise partner and supply, it’s conceivable that sales of replica and other club clothing could increase 1000%. Thus, this is an important vote, and one that is very interesting for the future of the club.

Our manager Liam Daish has won the Blue Square Premier manager of the month award for January. Having guided his young team to three straight league victories - twice by a score line of 4-1 plus ending Burton Albion's unbeaten away record - it's a richly deserved honor. This month, Liam Daish has also masterminded victories in the FA Trophy and Kent Senior Cup. This fantastic run of results stretches back to December 2007, and reads nine wins from ten matches.

This weekend the Fleet host Exeter City, who sits two places above us. This is an important match to get a result in if we want to make push towards a playoff spot.

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In remembrance of the Munich Air Disaster which took place fifty years ago today, here is Morrisey's song, Munich Air Disaster 1958. This song was written to pay tribute to the eight players and the fifteen others who died on the plane that crashed taking off from Munich on that fateful day. Rest in Peace, you "Busby Babes".

By: Christopher Chantland

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Some Great EPL Matches

On Saturday morning the matches come thick and fast starting at 7:30 AM ET on Setanta, with the Arsenal going to Eastlands to take on Manchester City. Man City has yet to lose at home, and this will be a big test with the mighty Arsenal starting to find their true form. If the match is too early for you on the west coast, I would recommend you TiVo the match because usually this fixture provides some entertaining stuff.

Next is the visit of the Manchester United to White Hart Lane. This match has some great potential with the form that Manchester United is in, and the new signings that Tottenham’s has obtained. Although the Red Devils dominated Spurs up at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, this promises to be a better match.

Chelsea visits the ruckus crowd of Fratton Park when they take on Portsmouth. This match is live on FSC at 10AM ET, so TiVo this match for later as well. Chelsea has won nine on the trot yet has been struggling with injuries and with missing players because of the African Cup of Nations. While Chelsea is losing players, Pompey has added Jermaine Defoe to their striking arsenal, and will be looking to beat one of the” big four”.

The nightcap of great Premier League matches is Everton’s visit to Ewood Park. This will be Brad Friedel’s 300th match in the Premier League, and an important one at that. Blackburn sit in eighth place only five points behind Everton who sit in fourth and on a Champions League spot, thus this match is a big one for two teams with European aspirations. This match is on Setanta at 6:00 PM ET

Sunday:

Middlesbrough visits Newcastle in the Northeast derby. Kevin Keegan is still looking for his first three points after being re-appointed as Newcastle manager. The fans at St. James Park are starting to sweat, and Keegan will as well if he doesn’t gain all three points in this match. Keegan’s counterpart, Gareth Southgate is still on the hot seat, and will be hoping to get one over on his rival. Catch this match on Setanta 8:30 AM ET.

AC Milan is playing at Fiorentina in the big match in the Serie A. AC Milan is sitting in sixth place seven points adrift of Fiorentina and an all important Champions League place. Adrian Mutu has been on a terror for Fiorentina, whilst AC Milan is reeling from the news that Gattuso will be out for two months. This should be a great match. Catch it on FSC 2:30 AM ET.

By: Christopher Chantland

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Well the main and most important issue in the Democratic race for President of the United States has been answered; Obama is a Hammer, while Hillary is a Red Devil. According to the Telegraph, Obama apparently visited England five years ago and fell in love with East London club, which has a notorious following, and often watches the Hammers matches when he has time.

"Common You Irons"

Although no one has any idea how involved Obama is in watching and supporting his club, I’ve gained a lot more respect for the man. If he was in England five years ago, West Ham weren’t even in the Premier League they were in theCoca Cola Championship division. Following a club in the Championship is still hard here in the States, let alone how hard it was five years ago.

Here’s a list of question’s I’d love to ask Obama:

Is Green Street Hooligans your favorite movie of all time? Do you know all the chants that the faithful sing at Upton Park? Is Dean Ashton a better option up front for England than Peter Crouch? If West Ham wins the FA Cup or any silverware while you’re in office, will you invite them all to the White House? Finally, is Jonathan Spector your favorite Hammer?

By: Christopher Chantland

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This weekend see’s this years FA Trophy 3rd round fixtures commencing with Ebbsfleet United playing host to Weymouth at Stonebridge Road. For some background information, In 1969 The Football Association introduced The FA Challenge Trophy, a knock-out competition for non-League clubs with the incentive of an appearance at Wembley for the finalists.

After recently being taken over, a new vision is being created at Weymouth, as it has at Ebbsfleet. Yet both teams see themselves at opposite ends of the Blue Square table, which come Saturday will not count for anything as it’s a different competition altogether.

The visitors go into this game, with only 1 win in their last 5 games, and only one win in their previous 6 travels. In their last outing they were unlucky to lose 3-2 away to Rushden, where individual errors from set plays cost them. If the Weymouth squad can solve their set play woes, they might push the Fleet at Stonebridge Road. As well, Weymouth has replaced their gaffer this week and no doubt this will get the Terras all fired up for this game, and we can expect a real battle as Weymouth look to start their new era with a bang.

Michael Malcolm will be the man to watch for the visitors, as he has scored 3 in his previous 2 games, and could become a handful for the Fleet defense.

While the Terras have struggled of late, the Fleet will be up for the challenge. The Fleet go into this game as clear favorites to progress after defeating Burton Albion last weekend, ending their unbeaten away run. Confidence is high at Stonebridge Road and so it should be, unbeaten in 9 games is an achievement in itself, and the team will be comfortable of extending that run.

By: Christopher Chantland

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Andrew Jacobson, the Latest MLS Draftee
to Leave for a Foreign League

Here’s a good question: If there isn't a guarantee that a drafted player will stick around, or at least leave the team that drafts him with a transfer fee or a future draft pick or something, why have a draft at all?

If the MLS wants to prioritize developing American talent (either to increase the level of domestic talent in MLS or to send more US players aboard and build our international reputation) they need to invest in these players. That means raising the minimum salaries and successfully developing or exposing young talent and sending them abroad at the right time. Yet, the MLS is very restrictive in the instances in which they allow certain players to leave. Thus, signing a contract quickly after or before the draft doesn’t ensure the player of having the best situation to succeed in football.

Maybe I'm way off on this, or just don't get the draft, but it all seems like a lot of work and expense for nothing. No other league in the world host’s a draft for players coming out of their University or for kids reaching the age of eighteen. The MLS should coordinate with the NCAA for a time period after a player decides he is leaving college, when he can sign with MLS teams, or another professional team. This will ensure that a player will be playing in the MLS or if he decides he wants to play abroad, he can make inquires into that.

That might not be the best solution, and it might not be the solution at all, but something new and different needs to be installed before this happens on a more massive scale? What are your thoughts on the matter?

By: Christopher Chantland

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Liam Daish has handed 22-year-old left back Nathan Simpson a trial. A former Crystal Palace youth member, Simpson has also featured for Dulwich Hamlet, Bromley, Tooting & Mitcham, Worthing, Harrow Borough and has played Conference football at St Albans City. He has also played 10 games for Dorchester Town this season.

Simpson may be handed an opportunity to impress at Stonbridge Road on Tuesday night in the Kent Senior Cup game against Dartford.

Ebbsfleet Utd. 2-1 Burton (Weekend Result)

Our club celebrated its official takeover of the club with a victory over Burton on the weekend. Goals by Neil Barret and John Akinde sealed the three points for the “Fleet”.

Barrett opened the scoring after 13 minutes and then we doubled our lead in the 68th minute when John Akinde steered past Kevin Poole.

Daryl Clare's<