The End of the Global Blog

What you are reading here is the final post of ussoccer.com's Global Blog. Do not worry: you can still follow all the action of our guys abroad by going to the MNT Blog, which will immediately start featuring the same updates you would previously have found on the Global Blog. When we merge the two blogs, you'll notice some differences in the way the MNT Blog looks. Upgrading the look of the MNT Blog allows us to post larger videos, among other things, something we think everyone will enjoy.

In short, you can still expect the same type of coverage of our MNT players who are playing in leagues around the world and you'll still get the same great look at the MNT during camps and international breaks. You'll get both these things in one place - at the MNT Blog.

Thanks to everybody who kept up with the Global Blog and we hope that you'll continue reading over at the MNT Blog.

Better Highlights: Le Mans vs. Rennes

Highlights from Rennes' 1-1 draw with Le Mans this past weekend:

Standard Move into First Place

Standard Liege capped a great weekend by beating Genk 2-0 on Sunday. Friday the 13th was unkind to Anderlecht, as the challengers to Liege's title went down 2-1 to KV Mechelen. Oguchi Onyewu and company took the field on Sunday knowing that a win could take them top of the table, even on games played with their rivals. Liege did just that, claiming all three points to put themselves one point ahead of Anderlecht.

Sunday Results

• Heath Pearce started at left midfield for Hansa Rostock, playing 57 minutes in a 1-1 draw.
• Michael Orozco and San Luis fell 2-1 to Puebla.
• Benny Feilhaber made his return from injury by coming on as a late sub for AGF Aarhus.
• Eddie Johnson came on as a second half sub in a 1-1 draw for Cardiff City.
• Last night, Pachua and José Francisco Torres fell 2-0 to Monterrey:

Highlights: Everton v. Stoke City

Highlights of Tim Howard and Everton's win over Stoke City:

Highlights: Bolton v. Fulham

Highlights of Clint Dempsey and Fulham's win over Bolton:

Last Minute Equalizer for Rennes

Carlos Bocanegra and Rennes kept pace with a European spot by rescuing a last minute draw yesterday against Le Mans. Moussa Sow popped up in injury time to tie the score at 2-2 and keep Rennes in 7th spot in Ligue 1.

Saturday Results

• Michael Bradley scored twice in Borussia Mönchengladbach's 4-2 win over FC Cologne. Bradley opened the scoring in the first half before adding a late penalty to ensure 'Gladbach of all three points.
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• Clint Dempsey and Fulham bounced back from their recent struggles to claim a 3-1 victory over Bolton at the Reebok Stadium
• Tim Howard and Everton withstood lots of second half pressure from Stoke City and saw out the 3-1 victory at Goodison Park.
• Frank Simek entered as a second half sub but he couldn't help Sheffield Wednesday overturn a 2-1 loss to Watford.
  

What We're Watching

Lots going on this weekend, so head to your local U.S. Soccer Official Bar to take in some of the action. If you're up early enough on Saturday, you may just see us there catching the massive Premier League game between Manchester United and Liverpool from Old Trafford. Here's what else we'll be watching this weekend.

Saturday

11 a.m. ET - Everton vs. Stoke City, FSC - David Moyes is celebrating seven years in charge of Everton this weekend and the and he's spoke of returning the club to its days of winning trophies. No silverware on the line this weekend but three points never hurts.

7 p.m. ET - Monterrey vs. Pachuca, Telemundo - José Francisco Torres and Pachuca face Monterrey in a clash between first and second in the Primera División's Group 1.

7:30 p.m. ET - Bolton vs. Fulham, FSC (delayed) - Clint Dempsey's goal in Fulham's last match failed to help the Cottagers get the win, and Fulham ended up falling to Blackburn at home. With three losses in a row in all competitions, Fulham will look to get back on track this weekend with a visit to the Reebok Stadium.

Sunday

12 p.m. ET - Aston Villa vs. Tottenham, FSC - Brad Friedel, Brad Guzan and Aston Villa look to stave off Arsenal and Everton in their quest for the much-coveted fourth place spot in the Premier League.

5 p.m. ET - Puebla vs. San Luis, Azteca America - Michael Orozco and San Luis face Puebla in this Sunday afternoon matinée.

Tim Howard on ChannelBee

Check out Tim Howard's interview with ChannelBee where he answers a series of rapid fire questions including whether or not he believes in ghosts, who the most famous person is in his mobile and past fashion disasters. Good times.

Also, watch the interview with Mr. T.

Highlights of Clint's Goal

Here are some not-very-good highlights of Clint's Dempsey's goal, which was indeed his fifth in the Premier League. Thanks for nothing, soccernet.



Update - Found some better highlights:

Fulham v Blackburn

Dempsey Scores but Fulham Go Down

An early Clint Dempsey goal for Fulham wasn't enough to beat Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday, with two late goals condemning the Cottagers to a 2-1 loss.

Dempsey scored in the second minute, poking home with his left foot for his fourth Premier League goal of the season.

We'll be back tomorrow with some highlights...

Better Highlights: Gladbach v Hamburg

Better highlights from Gladbach's win over Hamburg this weekend:

Better Highlights: Rennes v Auxere

Carlos Bocanegra's goal from this weekend. As the announcer points out, he was also voted the sexiest player (Joueur le plus sexy) at Rennes by voters on the club's website. A good week all around!

Eddie Johnson's Goal

Eddie Johnson scored for Cardiff City on Saturday, to the delight of the Ninian Park crowd and City manager Dave Jones. Here is the goal. Great soundtrack selection by whoever did this. We'll have better highlights from this game later on, so check back:

Standard Liege Wins, Still in Second

On Friday, Standard Liege won, moving to the top of the table ahead of Anderlecht. However, on Monday morning Liege are back in second place, with Anderlecht victorious in their game last night. Regardless, here are highlights from Friday's win for Liege:

Highlights from Mexico

Michael Orozco and San Luis fell 2-0 to UNAM on Saturday.



José Francisco Torres and Pachuca beat U.A.G. 3-2.

Highlights from Denmark

Michael Parkhurst played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 tie against AAB. Click here for highlights.

Good to be Back

Rennes made it three wins from four, as Carlos Bocanegra returned from yellow card suspension to score the winning goal in a 2-0 victory against Auxerre. Bocanegra was alert at the near post to head home Mickael Pagis' cross in the 9th minute. Rennes remains in 6th place, three points out of a Champions League spot. The top four in Ligue 1 qualify for Europe, with fourth place dropping into the Europa League.

Everton into Semis

Everton is going to Wembley for the first time in 14 years, after Louis Saha's second half header sent the Toffees through to the semifinals of the FA Cup. Tim Howard was in goal for he 2-1 victory against Middlesbrough, making two saves in the winning effort. Intrigue is building for the historic cup competition, and Everton have been drawn to face Manchester United, Howard's former club, in the semifinals.

Saturday Results

• Eddie Johnson scored his first goal for Cardiff City in a 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers. After entering the game midway through the first half, Johnson curled home a left-footed effort in the 60th minute to open his account for Cardiff.

• Borussia Mönchengladbach lifted themselves off the foot of the Bundesliga table with an impressive 4-1 win against Hamburg. Michael Bradley played the full 90 minutes for 'Gladbach, who are up to 19th place with the victory.
• Bayern Munich easily beat Hannover 96, the 5-1 victory keeping them four points behind Hertha Berlin at the top of the table. Landon Donovan entered the game as a late second half sub. Steve Cherundolo started and played the full 90 minutes for Hannover.
• Clint Dempsey and Fulham were knocked out of the FA Cup with a 4-0 loss to Manchester United.
• Standard Liege's 1-0 win sent Oguchi Onyewu's team to the top of the Belgian table.
  

A Rare Home Loss

Clint Dempsey and Fulham suffered a rare loss at Craven Cottage yesterday, with a 90th minute Hull City winner condemning the Cottagers to defeat.

West Ham up to Seventh Place

No, seriously. Highlights from their 1-0 win against Wigan yesterday. Jonathan Spector entered the game in the second half.

Highlights from a 0-0 Snoozer

Wednesday Results

• Jonathan Spector came off the bench to help West Ham earn a 1-0 win away to Wigan Athletic.
• Clint Dempsey played 90 minutes but Fulham fell at home in an unlikely loss to Hull City.
• Tim Howard had to make only one save in Everton's uneventful 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers.
• Rangers fell to second place in the SPL with a 1-0 loss to Inverness. Maurice Edu started the game, his second consecutive appearance in midfield for Rangers, before being subbed off in the second half.
• Carlos Bocanegra and Rennes eased past Lorient in the Coupe de France Round of 16, winning 3-0.
  

Midweek Action

Lots of midweek games around the world this week:

In England, Tim Howard and Everton travel to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers. You can see this game delayed on FSC at 5:00 p.m. ET. Clint Dempsey and Fulham host Hull City at Craven Cottage, while Jonathan Spector and West Ham lineup against Wigan Athletic.

Rangers will look to keep their noses out in front of Celtic in the SPL, with Walter Smith's side facing Inverness at Ibrox later today. Pedro Mendes is still out, which means Edu could again get the start for Rangers, whose goal difference advantage at the top of the SPL was trimmed to just four goals this weekend.

In continental cup action, Carlos Bocanegra and Rennes host Lorient in the Round of 16 of the French Cup.

Better Highlights: Everton v. WBA

Highlights from Everton's 2-0 win over West Brom this weekend:

San Luis Win on the Road

It's been an indifferent start to the season for San Luis, but this weekend they turned things around with a 2-0 victory away to Club America. Michael Orozco played the full 90 minutes for San Luis, who beat America at the Azteca to remain in 3rd place in Group 3.

Highlights from Parkhurst's Debut

We mentioned that Michael Parkhurst made his Danish league debut on Sunday, well here are some highlights of said debut. They feature Parkhurst drawing a red card for being kicked by an opposing player during FC Nordsjaelland's 1-1 draw with Vejle.

Click here for highlights.

Late Drama for Rennes

Rennes did the rest of Ligue 1 a solid by snatching a point at the death in their game against Lyon, which finished 1-1. Carlos Bocanegra had a goal disallowed for Rennes, who needed a stoppage time equalizer to grab the tie at the Stade Gerland. Rennes remain 10 points out of first place, but the gap at the top has been trimmed to just four points, with Lyon holding the edge over PSG.

Liege Trim the Gap

A 4-0 win by Oguchi Onyewu and Standard Liege cut the gap at the top of the Belgian Jupiler League to just two points. Liege beat Cercle Brugge easily while Anderlecht slipped up with a 1-1 draw to Mouscron. Liege face Mons on Friday and a win could take them top of the table...

Gladbach Mired in a Mess

Borussia Mönchengladbach's latest loss leaves them four points away from safety. The 2-1 defeat to Hertha Berlin came in spite of Michael Bradley's second half penalty:

2-1 Hertha Berlin vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach Hig… - MyVideo

Great Clip from the BBC Gossip Column

Browsing the ever-enjoyable BBC Gossip Column this morning, we came upon this great nugget:

Clint Dempsey has promised to record an FA Cup final song if Fulham reach the Wembley final. The American midfielder goes by the alias 'Deuce' and says his rapping will eclipse the efforts of Liverpool players in the 1990s. "I've heard about FA Cup final songs - especially that Anfield Rap," he said. "I was thinking about hanging up my mic and retiring, but if we get to Wembley I can do better than that." (The People)

Debut for Parkhurst

Michael Parkhurst made his FC Nordsjaelland debut on Sunday, going 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Vejle. That is all.

Sunday Gameday

We're here at Smallbar in Chicago, part of the Official U.S. Soccer Bar Program, and we've settled down with our coffee ahead of some games this Sunday.

One result from England is already in the books, with West Ham United defeating Manchester City 1-0. Jonathan Spector came off the bench for the Hammers to help keep the clean sheet as West Ham

First up at 9 a.m. (well, alongside the Carling Cup final), Brad Guzan, Brad Friedel and Aston Villa take on Stoke City at Villa Park. Villa have won their last five games at home and they'll be recalling most of their first team after Thursday's loss to CSKA Moscow.

For now, you can check out these highlights from Clint Dempsey and Fulham's 0-0 draw with Arsenal yesterday: