Getty Images Soccer birthdays:
Vancouver Whitecaps center back Jay DeMerit, one of the really outstanding dudes of MLS, turns 33. Celebrate by making a movie about your life. (Wait a minute … Don’t do that. Most of us just do not have as a great a story to tell as DeMerit.)
Fine Irish center back Paul McGrath, long of Manchester United, longer of Aston Villa, turns 53. McGrath played 83 times for the Republic of Ireland.
Big Important Stories of the Day:
If Monday was any indication, there will be more player movement and news about options declined and such in Major League Soccer. By the way, we are just over 90 days away from the start of Major League Soccer’s 18th season. This is easily the shortest off-season in major U.S. pro sports.
It’s UEFA Champions League day, as well.
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day): Mario Machado
*Ahead on the blog today:
The first in a series of conversations based on Friday’s conversation withU.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann. (Yes, you read the same thing yesterday in this space. Today … promise. No take backs. No re-application of that asterisk.)
Twitter daps:
What you should watch on TV today:
Featured Fox Soccer Channel matches in UEFA Champions League: Dortmund-Manchester City at 2:30 p.m. ET and Real Madrid-Ajax (5 p.m. ET on delay).
We’ll leave you with this: If the Mayan calendar is right, you only have a couple weeks left to re-watch Victory and all the other great soccer movies. So, ya know … get going.
* Always subject to change; you know how it is
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Can Borussia Dortmund remain a force next season or will they fade?
May 25, 2013, 10:30 PM EDT
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Jurgen Klopp has a mountain to climb in order to erase the pain of the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
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FC Barcelona have confirmed via their official Twitter account that Neymar has agreed to join the Catalan side next season.
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The club lost. Again. This team is awful. So … where are the big changes?
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Manchester City beats Chelsea at Yankee Stadium in another goal fest
May 25, 2013, 8:50 PM EDT
Reuters
Chelsea lost to Manchester City 5-3 for the sweep in the pair’s double dip in the United States.
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One of Major League Soccer’s hottest young strikers scores for the third consecutive match:
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Reuters
It’s official: the Robbie Rogers’s return to soccer is nearly complete.
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Robert Lewandowski the next to defect, hints Jupp Heynckes
May 25, 2013, 7:19 PM EDT
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Outgoing Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes hinted at Borussia Dortmund sensation Robert Lewandowski’s probable switch to Bayern after the Champions League final.
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AP
Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium in London. The postmatch reactions pretty much cover it all.
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Manchester City and Chelsea are handing starts to four youngsters who are looking to make their breakthroughs.
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AP
The 2013 Champions League final was incredibly exciting, and passed every test as a match that will live on in the memory of fans.
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Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund: The tactics and the game’s shifting momentum
May 25, 2013, 5:25 PM EDT
How a wonderfully entertaining UEFA Champions League final played out:
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Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund: Robben the hero, Bayern crowned Champions League winners
May 25, 2013, 4:59 PM EDT
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Arjen Robben, criticized by many for his woeful record in major finals, finally got over the hump in stunning fashion as his 89th minute winner sent Bayern Munich to the promised land.
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There have been two to make the semis; You know who they are?
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Looking back at his ground-breaking announcement, even Robbie Rogers is a little confused about why it was all such a big deal:
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Neymar saga appears near conclusion, with Spanish giant Barcelona at the finish line
May 25, 2013, 12:44 PM EDT
The most recent reports say it’s Barcelona FC, as the Catalan giants have apparently beaten Spanish rival Real Madrid for the Brazilian star’s services:
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First chances to see Mike Magee, Robbie Rogers with their new clubs
May 25, 2013, 12:20 PM EDT
Looking at the weekend MLS schedule and wondering if we’ll see one of these two on the field?
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Something to like from the Galaxy side – but one big concern, too:
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Despite the Chicago Fire’s awful record through 12 MLS rounds, there’s still enough to like about Frank Klopas’ club.
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Santos confirmed that they have accepted two offers for Brazilian sensation Neymar.
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USA Today reports LA Galaxy trade Mike Magee for rights to Robbie Rogers
May 24, 2013, 9:29 PM EDT
In a mind-blowing move, USA Today have reported the LA Galaxy have sent a player to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to Robbie Rogers.
