Getty Images Soccer birthdays:
Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes, who would prefer to be prepping for MLS Cup rather than lollygagging around, opening birthdays cards and such, turns 46.
Longtime MLS man Dante Washington, now in the broadcast game, turns 42 on Wednesday.
Seattle Sounders left back Leonardo Gonzalez turns 32.
Joao Pinto, part of that Portuguese Golden Generation that didn’t turn out to quite so golden, turns 41.
Big Important Stories of the Day:
We are into Part II of European Champions League Match Day 5. Still confusing, I know.
And speaking of Champions League, the current title holders have canned the man who helped them get there. Chelsea FC have dismissed Roberto Di Matteo. And there was no beating around the West London bush with the club’s reasoning. From a statement: “The team’s recent performances and results have not been good enough.”
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day: Lothar Osiander
*Ahead on the blog today:
Chelsea, Champions League and anything new we learn about the two MLS Cup participants, the Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy.
Twitter daps:
What you should watch on TV today:
Manchester City hopes to resuscitate its Champions League hopes with a win over Real Madrid. Coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer Channel. As usual, there is plenty of live and taped Champions League coverage across the Fox platforms.
*Always subject to change; you know how it is
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That’s sarcasm. Ruiz was always bound to cause headaches, one way or the other:
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The first-year Red Bulls center back made a huge imprint on New York’s win over Los Angeles:
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There is still plenty of star appeal as the Europa League champs’ roster for a quick two-game tour of the United States:
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Kljestan becomes the fifth American to defend a title in a top league:
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The Scottish striker will hardly be missed around Vancouver:
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Sporting K.C. makes it clear after blown call – “I scored the goal”
May 19, 2013, 10:00 PM EDT
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Sporting K.C. manager Peter Vermes and defender Ike Opera didn’t appreciate the pivotal offsides call that disallowed a possible winning goal against D.C. United, and they made that very obvious.
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Premier League managerial pair blast squad and referee following final match
May 19, 2013, 8:58 PM EDT
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Paolo Di Canio and Andre Villas-Boas took to the media following their teams’ Premier League finale to voice displeasure with how their final fixture played out.
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D.C. United rue own goal but end losing streak against Sporting KC
May 19, 2013, 7:51 PM EDT
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A dull, scoreless first half picked up in the second term as D.C. United grabbed a point against the league’s second-best team and ended their club-record losing streak at 7 matches.
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Carlo Ancelotti denied release from PSG as he looks to Real Madrid job
May 19, 2013, 5:50 PM EDT
Reuters
With his eye on the imminent vacancy at Real Madrid left by Jose Mourinho’s almost certain departure, Paris Saint-Germain’s mastermind Carlo Ancelotti may now have a large hurdle to get past if he is to land his ideal job in Spain’s capital.
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Fernando Torres scores first Premier League goal in 2013 as Chelsea secures third place
May 19, 2013, 5:34 PM EDT
Fernando Torres broke his Premier League scoring drought by banging home the game-winner to secure Chelsea a third place finish.
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Heartbreak in Serie A this year belongs to Fiorentina. Mario Balotelli converted a penalty in the 84th minute to draw level and two minutes later Philippe Mexes slotted home a cross to secure Europe’s top competition for AC Milan.
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Rare as they are, we’ve seen more than our share of “Olimpico” goals in MLS over the last pair of seasons, including one last night:
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Despite little to play for, Premier League final day provides prize money shifts
May 19, 2013, 4:47 PM EDT
Reuters
With Arsenal and Tottenham the only teams battling for any meaningful positioning in the Premier League table, the final day still had implications for many teams in the form of placement prize money.
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Sir Alex Ferguson managed the final match of his career away from Old Trafford, and it looked set to complete on a high note, until the opposition had other ideas late.
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(Video) Gareth Bale’s wonder strike not enough for Tottenham to capture Champions League dreams
May 19, 2013, 4:25 PM EDT
Another game-winning strike from Gareth Bale wasn’t enough to save Tottenham from more Champions League heartache.
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New York took all the points from the L.A. Galaxy on Tim Cahill’s late goal. So let’s talk about that goal.
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Where Landon Donovan’s afternoon takes us in the ongoing U.S. national team debate
May 19, 2013, 3:17 PM EDT
This Landon Donovan debate regarding his place on the national team is not going anywhere. So, did Sunday’s performance move the needle either way?
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Arsenal grabs Champions League spot with victory over Newcastle
May 19, 2013, 2:42 PM EDT
Arsenal secured its 16th consecutive spot on the Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
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Sensational news for fans around BMO Field:
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Story-lines: What to watch for on the final day of the Premier League
May 19, 2013, 11:30 AM EDT
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With David Beckham-esque tears streaming down my cheeks, we’re finally here: The final day of the 2012-13 Barclay’s Premier League.
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Video: Highlights: Union outlast Fire
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Video: Sir Alex says goodbye
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Video: Morgan committed to growth of new women's league
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Video: Boy with cancer, 8, scores against major league soccer team
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Video: Red Bulls pull off win on the road
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Video: Highlights: Montreal extinguish Chicago
