Soccer birthdays: You gotta like a man who knows how to keep it real, who knows how to “bring it on home.” Jaap Stam began his career at the smaller Dutch side FC Zwolle. His playing days wound through some bigger Dutch clubs in addition to Manchester United, Lazio and AC Milan. Today, as the big center back turns 40, he’s back at Zwolle as an assistant coach.
Born on this day: Kenneth Wolstenholme, who died in 2002, would have been 92 today. If you’re into soccer history, you’ve heard the voice. Wolstenholme was a BBC TV football commentator who called the 1966 World Cup final from Wembley Stadium. Perhaps you heard him say, “Some people are on the pitch…they think it’s all over….it is now!” about the time Geoff Hurst put the game out of reach with England’s fourth goal. If not, now is a good time:
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RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day): John O’Brien
Ahead on the blog today*: MLS team rankings, where it’s getting tougher to decide who belongs on the bottom. Plus, a little more on Michael Bradley’s transfer to Roma and some significant extensions of the story.
Big Important Story of the Day: Well, I think we had just better let the day play out a little.
Twitter dap:
PST background noise while blogging today: Today is a day where the music matters. That’s what they say on KXP out of Seattle.
*Always subject to change; you know how it is
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Champions League final infographic: Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich
May 24, 2013, 8:31 AM EDT
Getty Images
The first-ever all-German UEFA Champions League final is one day away, take a look at our infographic to see which side has the edge.
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Manchester City rally downs Chelsea at the death in exciting US tour opener
May 23, 2013, 11:24 PM EDT
AP
Manchester City overcame a 3-goal deficit at Busch Stadium in St. Louis as Edin Dzeko bagged a brace to beat Chelsea 4-3.
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Yahoo! reports: Mourinho to sign 4-year deal with Chelsea, will be unveiled June 2
May 23, 2013, 11:03 PM EDT
Getty Images
Just days after Jose Mourinho mutually parted ways with Real Madrid, he will be completing a deal to become Chelsea’s next manager, says Martin Rogers of Yahoo! Sports via Twitter.
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Reuters
Roberto Martinez has given himself more time to decide on his future at Wigan, and also gave them a wish list.
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Getty Images
Asmir Begovic is apparently intending on showing up at the door of another club to start training.
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Reports: Porto to bank on Moutinho and Rodriguez in shock double move
May 23, 2013, 7:16 PM EDT
Reuters
AS Monaco, rich with the injection of money from a Russian tycoon, are set to make a huge splash, possibly as much as €70 million.
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Leighton Baines says Everton will be fine without Moyes, but will they?
May 23, 2013, 5:11 PM EDT
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“Football clubs live on and we’ll live on, we’ll move on.” They’ll move on, they have to. But will they effectively?
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Reuters
With the upcoming Champions League final this weekend featuring an all-German cast, Germany secured another massive Champions League achievement today.
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Getty Images
Sunderland’s central defender will say goodbye to the English Premier League in exchange for a switch stateside.
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Manchester City president shoots down high-profile transfer links
May 23, 2013, 2:00 PM EDT
Reuters
Chelsea fans will be delighted, while those supporting Manchester City are sure to question who’s on their team’s mind.
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Should Europa League winners be awarded a spot in the Champions League?
May 23, 2013, 1:37 PM EDT
Should the champions of the Europa League be awarded a spot in the following season’s Champions League?
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Gonzalo Higuain close to Juventus move while others continue the chase
May 23, 2013, 11:22 AM EDT
Despite notching an impressive 104 goals in 185 matches since moving to the Bernabeu in 2007, Higuain has struggled this season.
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Poor Strama, Allegri: Inter, AC Milan leave coaches in limbo
May 22, 2013, 11:51 PM EDT
Getty Images
Serie A’s two Milanese clubs have yet to move for new head coaches.
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Full circle: Misantrope’s revival could land Benítez in Paris, Madrid, or Naples
May 22, 2013, 11:06 PM EDT
Over the last three months, Rafa Benítez has reignited a floundering career.





