On the Eve of the new Season...

[godsshoeshine]

Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
  What a  great week it's been for old mank!!!      
 
 
   <img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44687000/jpg/_44687321_munstertrophybody.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
 
 Munster became kings of Europe for a second time as a ferociously committed display saw them edge past Toulouse in the Heineken Cup final in Cardiff.
 
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7408444.stm

so people will likely still be happy about this in 4 weeks or so in the province?

[vansmack]

Dear Football Fan,
 
 Are you up to the challenge?
 
 Your friend Smackie has already entered the fantastic FREE TO PLAY ESPNsoccernet Euro Fantasy competition and thinks that they have selected a much better team than you could ever manage!
 
 What do you reckon? Are they having a laugh? Can you prove yourself a better manager?
 
 We thought so...
 
 Here's what to do - click the link below to get started:
 
 1: Go to http://euro2008fantasy.soccernet.com/
 
 2: Click on Register and go through the registration and team selection process - it's totally free to play
 
 3: Once you are on your team line-up page click on Mini League and type the following information in the Join A Mini League boxes:
 
 League Name: 1105hb
 Password: 9696075
 
 You should now be ready to compete with and hopefully beat Smackie!
 
 ESPNsoccernet Fantasy Games HQ
 http://euro2008fantasy.soccernet.com/

[vansmack]

First Bocanegra (who will find a new Premiership team) and now McBride....
 
 McBride set to leave Fulham
 By Jeff Bradley
 
 Updated: May 28, 2008, 6:03 PM UK
 
 Longtime U.S. striker Brian McBride has told ESPN soccer analyst John Harkes that he will be leaving Fulham Football Club after five seasons with the London-based team.
 
 "Brian told me that he believes he has a lot of good soccer left in him," said Harkes, "but it will not be with Fulham. He also said he's leaving the club on excellent terms."
 
 McBride, 36, grew up in Arlington Heights, Ill., and played eight seasons in MLS for the Columbus Crew, who selected him first overall in the league's inaugural draft in 1996. It has been rumored that McBride could be returning to MLS to play for the Chicago Fire, but Harkes said that McBride has not made any decisions about where he'll be playing next season.
 
 McBride, who represented the U.S. in the last three World Cups and scored memorable goals in American triumphs over Portugal and Mexico in 2002, leaves Fulham having scored 32 goals in the English Premier League.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by vansmack:
   

Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
 Predictions??

3-0 England.  Maybe 4. [/b]

But for Becks quick kicking the free kick I would have been spot on.
 
 With just Landon up front I thought the US would struggle to score.  Without Landon and Altidore, I knew there was no chance.  Altidore is the future of US Soccer.

[godsshoeshine]

there were (however weak) links going around between altidore and bradley and toon this past weekend
 
 wont happen, but got me a little excited

[vansmack]

Mourinho takes charge at Inter Milan
 
 I've rarely seen a better marriage.  He's perfect for the boring, diving, crying Italian game...

[godsshoeshine]

i dont know, everyone is pretty well dressed there, he wont be as special

[godsshoeshine]

supposedly ole sicknote duff is moving on from the toon, and his house is up for sale. now, the hottest rumor is scumderland, so i dont know why he'd move, and nothing about this is very interesting EXCEPT, here is the apparent listing:
  http://www.sandersonyoung.co.uk/buy/view.aspx?pr=9054
 awesome bathrooms

[vansmack]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
   now, the hottest rumor is scumderland, so i dont know why he'd move

'Cause he loves Roy Keane.

[godsshoeshine]

i worded that poorly. if he plays for sunderland, he could continue to live in the same house

[vansmack]

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
 
 4:00pm Spain vs. United States (ESPN360.com)
 
 5:30pm Tape Delayed broadcast ESPN2
 
 
 We would struggle to score with Landon, no chance without.  3-0 Spain.

[godsshoeshine]

why schedule these friendlies and then not call up any forwards? i guess the answer is go to europe and then get capped more often
 
 but still

[vansmack]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  the toon

Newcastle have confirmed they have agreed terms with Fenerbahce for the transfer of Emre Belozoglu.

[godsshoeshine]

yeah, its been close for a few days now. the reports differ on the fee, but supposedly its going to be a profit. how, i dont know
 
 he's on £55k a week and always injured. not a huge loss if replaced. ditto duff, who i hear is paid £70k a week. at least duff didnt get accused of dropping the nbomb three seperate times
 
 of course the troubling issue would be villa beating down the doors for milner and zogs wanting away

[vansmack]

Ouch.
 
 Cannavaro out for Italy
 
  <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/JonMC/May2008/fabbio412.jpg" alt=" - " />