It really is no wonder that the FIFA Club World Cup comes and goes every year with barely a world-wide whisper.
What seems on its face like it should be a big deal – this is a FIFA tournament to crown ostensibly the world’s best club, after all – is mostly dismissed or ignored by fans. Why is that? Because most of the event is a pretense to arrive where we all knew it would arrive anyway.
Chelsea will meet South American champion Corinthians (from Brazil) in Sunday’s final in Japan.
Chelsea made quick work of Mexico’s Monterrey in Thursday’s semifinal. The match was over by the fourth minute, as Chelsea took a 2-0 lead – underscoring the vast gulf between the champions of Europe and the kings of our region, North and Central American and the Caribbean.
Yes, upsets can and have happened, although not often. This even has been held regularly since 2005. In that time, 6 of the 7 finals have featured the South American champion against the European champion. Congolese club Mazembe did advance into the 2010 championship contest, only to fall 3-0 to Italy’s Inter Milan.
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MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Thursday’s United States women’s national team match falls smack in the middle of the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League season. It’s a friendly. It’s against the same team, Korea Republic, that the United States just handily defeated 4-1 on Saturday. But its relevance is critical, particularly to Abby Wambach – and for…
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Among the many assets in Jurgen Klinsmann’s portfolio, few are trending down.
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Get to your DVRs as soon as possible, because that Italy-Japan match was a classic
Jun 19, 2013, 8:44 PM EDT
Reuters
Confederations Cup completely worth it when it provides matches like these.
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Stock Rising: United States men whose values are rising out of Salt Lake
Jun 19, 2013, 7:35 PM EDT
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There’re no shortage of players to praise after the U.S. completes a nine-out-of-nine run.
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Most U.S. players were still in the locker room an hour after final whistle Tuesday … watching a basketball game. Hmmm.
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Even while struggling, LA’s still the standard, but can they turn things around enough to keep Portland from the top of the West.
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Goal, assist from Neymar give Brazil win, prolong Mexico’s woes
Jun 19, 2013, 5:25 PM EDT
Neymar’s show compounded problems for CONCACAF’s champions.
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The 42-year-old American revealed he is taking coaching courses to prepare for whenever his career is over.
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Some of those old issues of communication and understanding between Jones and Michael Bradley were on display once again in Utah:
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Montréal can open a gap atop the East with a win tonight. If Houston springs the upset, they’ll be within one point of the conference leaders.
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Pepe Reina wants to see out his contract at Liverpool…for now
Jun 19, 2013, 2:44 PM EDT
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He didn’t exactly say much, but Pepe Reina’s club is Liverpool – at least, right now.
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USA can theoretically clinch a World Cup berth in their next match
Jun 19, 2013, 1:24 PM EDT
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It’s a bit of a longshot, but the United States has a mathematical chance of securing qualification for Brazil in the next round of play.
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Graham Zusi keeps making it harder for Landon Donovan to get back into U.S. national team
Jun 19, 2013, 12:48 PM EDT
The Sporting Kansas City man had a lot to say about last night’s breakout (finally!) in the second half vs. Honduras:
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De Gea message to Thiago on signed match ball sparks rumor flurry
Jun 19, 2013, 12:04 PM EDT
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Cameras caught a message from Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, could it foreshadow a move?
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Reuters
Fabio Capello is the latest manager to say “no” to the defending Ligue 1 champions.
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Liverpool take a huge net loss on the 24-year-old while West Ham set their transfer fee record.
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Tragedy struck Chivas USA’s youth squad Monday night.
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Reuters
At the call of fans and media alike, the FA Cup final at Wembley will return to its post-league date.
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The United States had the perfect lineup to slowly whittle away at the Honduras defense before it finally broke.
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The 24-year-old American has found a new team after spending 5 seasons at Villa Park.
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Video: Police clash with protesters in Brazil
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Video: Highlights: Sounders win in final minutes
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Video: Highlights: Revolution dismantle Galaxy
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Video: What does New York FC have to do to succeed?
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Video: The Hype: Bending the screen like Beckham
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Video: Galaxy's Rogers talks about coming out to the public
