USA v. Paraguay Live!

The friendlies keep rolling on this week. Next up tonight - the improving U.S. side against fellow World Cup veterans Paraguay. Can we build upon that second half performance from Saturday night against Argentina? We'll soon see - join me from 8 pm onward on FSC.

Qualifiers and Friendlies

It's a day of qualifiers and friendlies. Group G is off so England will be cashing in on a pay-day with Ghana. It's all a bit of a nonsense but that won't stop me dialing up a link to follow it this afternoon, will it? If you're watching and following to, join in on the chatter.

The Jocks v. The Boys from Brazil Live!

If you thought that England v. Wales was a mismatch, how about this one? That said, the U.S. boys got a more than serviceable draw against the Argies last night, so who knows. Join me for all the carnival action from 8:55 am EST onward.

Time for an International Break

Just as things were getting hot and heavy in league play, it's time for an international time-out. We've got a day of Euro 2012 qualifiers to look forward to today starting with England traveling to Cardiff to meet Wales and ending with a fairly meaningless, but hopefully entertaining, friendly between the U.S. and Argentina. Care to join me for the footie smorgasbord?

If Only All Millionaires were as cool as Mark Ruffalo....

As you've probably read, state governments led by both Republicans (Scott Walker in Wisconsin, e.g.) and Democrats (our own Andrew Cuomo) are slashing budgets while giving away boatloads. Here's the latest campaign from a few millionaires who see the sense of building a more caring society. Enjoy!

You are Don Fabio!

Alright, chaps - it's time to play our favorite game: "You are the England Manager." We've got two matches coming up - one, a vital Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales; and two, a useless friendly with Ghana. You've got John Terry back in the fold as your skipper.

Who else would you pick from this lot?

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Robert Green, Joe Hart.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing, Matthew Jarvis, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young.

Forwards: Darren Bent, Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney.

Premiership Plus Predictions Update - Week 30

Before we get into the international break, it's time to reflect on the last weekend of Premiership Plus action. The Chelski win over Citeh has reversed their order in the top four but otherwise we're as we were last time I checked. Here are the current standings:


1. Thomas - 27 points
2. United We Stand - 26 points
3. ManUtd Rules - 25 points
4. Matthew - 24 points
5. Someone Said - 22 points
6. Gooner71 - 19 points
7. West Ham Rising - 16 points
8. Blue Devil - 15 points
8. Simon Burke - 15 points
10. AZ Kicker - 11 points
11. Blubber Boy - 6 points

Spring Footer!

We've finally turned the corner into spring. "Spring forward" means that we're still only four hours behind GMT, so the matches are all an hour later than usual, beginning with Spurs v. West Ham at 8:45EST on the Deuce. Of course I'll have my eye firmly on the big one - Leeds traveling to evil rivals Sheffield United looking for three vital points in the Championship. Join me for all the usual Saturday morning LOB banter, lads.

Champions League Draw!

The draw for the Quarter-final and Semi-Final stages of the Champions League 2011 were made this morning at the ungodly hour of 7am EST. Suffice it to say that I didn't follow it live. However, here are the fascinating match-ups that came out of it:




Quarter-final draw

Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea v Manchester United

Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk

Internazionale v Schalke

Semi-final draw

Real Madrid/Tottenham Hotspur v Barcelona/Shakhtar Donetsk

Internazionale/Schalke v Chelsea/Manchester United

Comment, or Vote, but not both

My friend Jon Rauch wants to take back the internet from idiots who comment on the internet. This is tongue in cheek, but I too have been moved to write letters to the Washington Post and to the Guardian asking that the reader comment section be policed better by their editors. When journalism was mostly print, an editorial staff could decline to publish "Angry in underpants in my parent's basement"'s volleys of spleen venting. I worry that the comment section on websites is a shockingly poor substitute for an editorial hand.

You agree? Join at http://www.commentorvote.com/ HERE

St. Patrick's Day Europe League Fixtures

The second leg of the Round of 16 Europa League Fixtures are being played today, one week after the first leg fixtures were played. Three British Clubs are still in the competition , all at home . Four matches will kick off at 2 EDT and four matches will kick off at 4 EDT. See if you can make some time on ST. Patrick's Day join us for a full afternoon of Europa League action. Man Citeh vs Dynamo Kiev is the highlight of the 2 PM fixtures as they attempt to overcome a 0-2 deficit from their trip to the Ukraine. The highlight of the 4 PM fixtures is Liversox vs Sporting Lisbon and Rangers vs PSV Eindhoven. Liversox lost 0-1 in Lisbon last Thursday and Rangers gained a creditable 0-0 draw in the Netherlands. Can they take advantage at Ibrox? These matches are not televised, so choose your favorite stream and join us at LOB for a full afternoon of Europa League action.

More Round of 16 Champions League Action

Well we had an exciting day of Champions League Action as Manchester United survived a late scare to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Champions League. It is a much quieter day as Chelsea host FC Copenhagen in what is basically a formality as they won 0-2 in Denmark. The other Champions League match may be more fascinating as Real Madrid host Lyon . These teams are meeting for the fourth season out of the past six seasons . How likely is that? They met in the group stages in 2006 and 2007 and met at this stage last season when Lyon prevailed. Lyon have actually been a bogey team for Real as they are UNDEFEATED in seven matches. Prior to this season they won every home match vs Real , keeping a clean sheet in every victory. All three matches at the Bernabeu ended in a draw. This season is different since the Special One has taken over. Real achieved their first draw in Lyon and scored their first goal in Lyon. It sounds like the momentum may shift Real's way based on this result and the Special One is known for having teams that win vital matches and score late winners. You will know for sure if you join us on LOB.

The Blizzard!

Chaps and Lasses,

Exciting news. Back in the '90s, "Football Against The Enemy's" Simon Kuper edited a Granta style football periodical called "Perfect Pitch." He got proper writers to write football related articles. Sadly, they finished after 5 publications.

But now, the Guardian's Jonathan Wilson has announced the publication of "The Blizzard" which will take up the mantel of the late and sorely missed "Perfect Pitch." And Kuper himself is part of the project.

It's a pay-what-you can download for issue Zero and the link is HERE

Manchester United vs Marseille Live !

Come join us for some exciting Champions League Action as Manchester United take Marseille at Old Trafford. United must win to progress to the quarterfinals after a creditable draw in France. The other Champions League encounter today is Bayern vs Inter in a repeat of last year's CL final. There is action from the Football League main matches of interest involve Burnley and Watford. The highlight in League one is that Bob's Plymouth have a long trip to Carlisle . There is an East Anglian Derby in the Conference as Cambridge vs Luton is a contest between two sides who have seen much better times. It promises to be an exciting afternoon, so join us at LOB for all the action.

National Teachers March on Washington!

Since we have a number of educators in the LOB community, I thought I'd post this announcement of a National Teachers March on Washington on July 30th to protest the draconian cuts on education-related budgets and to press for equitable funding for schools across the country.

And it's in D.C. - so, LOBers, anyone up for a reunion?

March is the Cruelest Month

It's been a difficult time for the Big Two coming into their titanic clash this afternoon. United have lost three in four while Arsenal enter OT fresh from being knocked out of the Champions League. Something's got to give. Before that, we've got the day's other FA Cup Quarter Final tie just around the corner - Birmingham v. Bolton. Join me for all the romance of the Cup, won't you?

Friday Footie Funny!

I was alerted to this classic bit of non-league footie nonsense by the Guardian Unlimited Football Weekly lads. A Borat impersonator breaks up the tedium of the Havant & Waterlooville v. Dorchester Town Blue Square Premier match and generally has a good time evading the stewards dancing about to the delight of the 1,200 people in attendance. That is before, Dorchester Town hard-man Ashley Vickers intervenes with a rugby tackle. The result - an early bath for Vickers! It's one for the ages - enjoy!

Happy Birthday, WHR!

The FA Puts the Boot in at QPR!

Here's the best news I've seen all week. The FA have finally roused themselves from their cigar room at Lancaster Gate and filed seven charges against the evil Queens Park Rangers around third-party player ownership issues. I'll accept nothing less than a 30 points deduction!

Read more here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/09/qpr-fa-charges-alejandro-faurlin1

Spurs v. Milan Live!

It won't console Arsenal fans, but we've got a decent chance of seeing another English representative safely in the Quarters with Spurs taking on weakened Milan at home with a goal to the good. Italian footie is already a mess with Roma knocked out of the tournament yesterday, so it's a chance to stick the knife into Serie A today. Join me from 2:45 pm.

Barcelona v. Arsenal Live!

This is why we all wade our ways through all of those interminable CL group stage matches with the likes of Olympiakos and Sporting Lisbon. It's Barcelona v. Arsenal - two of the best club sides on the planet - squaring up at the Nou Camp this evening. The Arsenal are 2-1 up from the home leg but it's going to be an almighty battle of wits between Wenger and Pep Guardiola tonight. Come on, you Gunners!

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 29

It's update time again, lads. Since I popped on with the last update, we've had a round of Premiership matches, a round of FA Cup fixtures and the Carling Cup Final. Unfortunately, none of us were prescient enough to predict that Brum would win the Carling, so nil points on that one. The picture is brighter on the FA Cup front, with only Someone Said eliminated for predicting Chelsea. And the latest Prem results have shifted both top and bottom of the table. Here are the current standings:

1. United We Stand - 28 points
2. ManUtd Rules - 25 points
3. Thomas - 24 points
4. Matthew - 22 points
4. Someone Said - 22 points
6. Gooner71 - 17 points
6. Simon Burke - 17 points
8. Blue Devil - 14 points
9. West Ham Rising - 12 points
10. AZ Kicker - 10 points
11. Blubber Boy - 7 points

THE BIG ONE

Liverpool fans told United to come back when we were going for #19.... we're back!!!
I have a houseful today so I don't know how much I will be on the compute but simply.... COME ON UNITED!!!

UWS

A Rather Special Weekend

After a year of struggling with my old one, I'm rocking a brand new MacBook Air laptop this weekend and really looking forward to a weekend of English footer. Join me for the celebration from 7:45 am for the Brummie Derby.

The Sloane Gunman

I was too verklempt to have a proper laugh at Cashley over the weekend. Luckily, those Taiwanese news animating geniuses have weighed in. Enjoy.

Time to play Sheen, Beck, or Qaddafi!

Guess who said what crazy thing. It's more difficult than it sounds.

As Charlie Sheen would say, "Bring it!"

"Bring it!" again.

Midweek Footie Madness!

If it's Tuesday, it must be another slate of big matches. That includes some intriguing Championship fixtures, a 5th Round Cup tie between Everton and Reading and the highlight - Chelski v. ManYoo at Stamford Bridge! Join me for all the action from 2:45 EST.