U.S. Soccer unveils All-Time Best XI

Landon Donovan, Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride led the voting on a squad that also includes the likes of Brad Friedel and Clint Dempsey.

With the U.S. national team enjoying a run of seven straight trips to the World Cup, it comes as little surprise that the past two decades are responsible for the best individuals the federation has ever had to offer.

U.S. Soccer on Friday unveiled its All-Time Best XI as voted by historians, media, administrators, coaches and players, with every selection starting his career in 1988 or later. Last week, Goal USA's Ives Galarcep shared his take on the All-Time Best XI.

Landon Donovan (52 votes), Claudio Reyna (45) and Brian McBride (45) topped the polling, with Eric Wynalda (43), Tab Ramos (42), Marcelo Balboa (35) and Eddie Pope (33) not far behind.

Here is the full list:

GK Brad Friedel (1992-2004)
D Steve Cherundolo (1999-2012)
D Eddie Pope (1996-2006)
D Marcelo Balboa (1988-2000)
D Carlos Bocanegra (2001-2012)
M Landon Donovan (2000-present)
M Claudio Reyna (1994-2006)
M Tab Ramos (1988-2000)
M Clint Dempsey (2004-present)
F Eric Wynalda (1990-2000)
F Brian McBride (1993-2006)

Friedel, Bocanegra, Cherundolo and Dempsey received 25 votes apiece to round out the squad. The top runners-up at each position were goalkeeper Kasey Keller (14 votes), defender Thomas Dooley (20), midfielder Michael Bradley (20) and forward Earnie Stewart (16).

Source:- GOAL.COM

Shea completes temporary Barnsley switch

Danny Wilson's Championship side signed the American winger on a 28-day loan from Stoke as the club looks to climb the league table and fight off the threat of relegation.

Championship struggler Barnsley has signed winger Brek Shea on loan from Stoke City for a month as manager Danny Wilson looks to bolster his squad.

The United States international made the switch to the Britannia Stadium in a reported 2.5 million pound deal from Major League Soccer outfit FC Dallas in Jan. 2013.

Shea has been blighted by a series of injuries that have hindered his progress with the Premier League club, with the 23-year-old limited to just three league appearances from the bench in his first year in England.

He goes straight into Barnsley's starting XI for the club's visit to Birmingham City, with the Yorkshire outfit looking to move off the foot of the Championship table.

Wilson goes in search of his first three points since returning to Oakwell for his second stint in charge.

Shea is the second player from Stoke to join Barnsley on a temporary basis this season, after goalkeeper Jack Butland made 13 appearances during his loan spell earlier in the season.

Source:- GOAL.COM

Jermaine Jones misses Qatar trip to consider Schalke future

The U.S. national team midfielder has requested a change of scenery during the January transfer window.

Jermaine Jones is set to miss Schalke's training camp in Qatar as he considers a move away from the Veltins-Arena.

The United States international has been a regular starter for Schalke this season but has attracted criticism for his attitude in some fixtures. The 32-year-old appears to have decided his future lies elsewhere, with S04 releasing a statement to explain his omission from the club's roster in Qatar.

"The midfielder, who is under contract at Schalke 04 until the summer of 2014, has asked sporting director Horst Heldt to allow him a change for the second half of the season," it read. "To consider other options the 32-year-old will not travel to Qatar."

Jones is poised to play in his first World Cup this summer after establishing himself as a fixture alongside Michael Bradley in the U.S. midfield during qualifying. Should Jones make a move to MLS, D.C. United would have the first crack at securing his services, though the player would be exempt from the allocation order if he signs a designated player contract.

Red Bulls part ways with Markus Holgersson

New York has cited salary cap considerations in the termination of the Swedish center back's contract.

The New York Red Bulls cut ties with another defender who played substantial minutes in 2013, terminating the contract of veteran Markus Holgersson on Thursday.

The 28-year-old Swede, who played center back and right back for New York, logged 63 regular-season games and four playoff matches over two seasons with the Red Bulls. In a news release, New York sporting director Andy Roxburgh cited salary cap considerations when discussing the departure of Holgersson, who had a $199,500 base salary in 2013 and one year remaining on his deal.

"After speaking with Markus following the conclusion of our season and taking into account our salary cap situation, we mutually decided that it would be in everyone's interest for us to part ways," Roxburgh said. "Markus indicated to us that he is ready to take on the next stage of his career and we want to thank him for his service to the New York Red Bulls."

Holgersson follows fellow defenders Brandon Barklage (26 appearances), Heath Pearce (14) and David Carney (seven) out the door after the Red Bulls parted ways with those players earlier in the offseason.


Source:- GOAL.COM 

Aston Villa striker Kozak ruled out for season with broken leg

The former Lazio forward, who has netted four times in 15 games in 2013-14, was injured in training on Thursday and the club has confirmed that his campaign is over

Aston Villa striker Libor Kozak has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a broken leg.

The Czech Republic international has scored four goals in 15 games since joining the club from Lazio in the summer.

He was the most prolific man in the Europa League in 2012-13, netting 10 times, and is Paul Lambert's second-highest scorer this season.

"Villa can confirm that Libor Kozak suffered a broken leg in training," the club wrote on Twitter. "Libor Kozak will undergo surgery [on Friday]."

Paul Lambert's side has struggled in front of goal in 2013-14, with Christian Benteke some way below the form that saw him plunder 23 goals in his debut season. The Belgian has just five to his name so far, while fellow forwards Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann have three and two, respectively.

Andres Iniesta bothered by contract extension rumors

The Spain international has claimed that things emerged in the press regarding his talks over a new deal that were not true.

Barcelona star Andres Iniesta said he was "bothered" by the rumors and speculation that surrounded his contract extension.

The Spain international's future was the subject of much debate before he committed himself to the Catalan club until 2018 by penning a deal that reportedly doubled his money to 14 million euros per year.

Indeed, there was even talk that Real Madrid was keen to make a move for Iniesta, who says that he was upset by some of the things printed by the press.

“I am a very transparent person, sometimes too much with my feelings and with me,” Iniesta told reporters on Thursday. “The only issue was the timing of the signing. The only thing that bothered me was all the noise that this had caused. Things that came out, or that were not true, were annoying. Sometimes people read or hear things and do not know if it is true, but believe what they read. That was the negative part.

“I am grateful to the fans and am very happy that I can continue here for many years to come. I have many years left of football, I know that here I will be happy and I am grateful.”

Moving on to other topics, Iniesta acknowledged that he is looking forward to taking on Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League.

“We know almost all of their players," the midfielder said. "We know how they play. The best we can do is be at our highest level because they are a technical team and their team is joined with strength that English teams have. Although they do not have many English players, that league makes you stronger physically. The most important thing is how we arrive for the tie and that we fight against a team that is very potent."

Consequently, Iniesta is delighted that Lionel Messi is now ready to return to the Barcelona starting lineup following a month out with a hamstring injury.

“We count on him for many things," the 29-year-old said. "You cannot evaluate the effectiveness of Leo with just numbers. It is the player, what he represents and what he does for the team. For me he is No. 1 and when you have a player on the pitch with these conditions, everything is much easier. Hopefully he will feel comfortable, he will have no more problems and can contribute as he always has, as the No. 1.”

Marseille loans Jordan Ayew to Sochaux

The 22-year-old Ghana international will hope to rediscover his goalscoring touch at the Stade Auguste Bonal after managing just one tally in 16 Ligue 1 appearances this season.

Sochaux has agreed to a deal to sign forward Jordan Ayew on loan from Olympique de Marseille for the rest of the season.

The 22-year-old came through the youth team ranks at the Stade Velodrome, but while he has made 16 Ligue 1 appearances for Jose Anigo's side, he has managed just one goal.

Consequently, Marseille has now decided to allow Ayew to spend the remainder of the 2013-14 campaign with Sochaux, which sits 19th in the table.

"An agreement in principle was reached between Marseille and Sochaux for the loan until the end of the season of Jordan Ayew," read a statement on the struggling side's official website. "The arrival of the Ghana international striker at FC Sochaux is now conditional on the medical examination."

Paul Lambert: Most Premier League managers could do without the FA Cup

The Aston Villa manager believes that most of his peers would agree that the historic competition is a distraction from the more serious business of staying up.

Aston Villa's Paul Lambert claims that he is among "the majority" of Premier League bosses who would be happier not having to play in the FA Cup.

The historic competition, in which the last of Villa's seven triumphs came in 1957, represents the Midlands side's only realistic chance of winning a trophy this season. With a third-round clash with League One club Sheffield United on Saturday, however, Lambert says that his only priority is to ensure top-flight survival.

Asked by reporters if he could do without the FA Cup, the Scot replied: "I think, if you ask the majority of them [other Premier League bosses], if they're being honest I think they probably would do, yes. Survival in the league is vital - like ourselves, we don't have a massive squad so the points are really important and, if everybody was being honest, they'd say the same.

"That's realistic. Anybody who says different, I'm not sure they'd be telling the truth. The Premier League is the most vital thing that anybody wants to get into and we're no different. The cup competitions, you want to get through and we'll pick a team we think can get through, but your main one is the league.

"It's not just become about money because everyone wants to try and win something. I think success is important for your own career and, if you're a footballer, you want to try and win things but, from a football club business point of view, everybody knows the Premier League is the one everyone wants to get into and stay in because of the finances."

Victor Valdes cleared to make Barcelona return

The Spain international has been sidelined with a calf muscle tear since November but is now free to return to the Blaugrana lineup against Elche on Sunday.

Barcelona has announced that goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been given the green light by the club's medical team to return to action.

The 31-year-old shot-stopper has been out of action since suffering a calf muscle tear while on international duty with Spain in South Africa in November.

"After training on Thursday afternoon, goalkeeper Victor Valdes received a full medical discharge," read a statement on the club's official website. "Therefore, he has already been made available to coach Tata Martino and could return to the team this Sunday in the Liga match at Camp Nou against Elche."

Valdes, who has been out of action for 44 days, will now be hoping to usurp Jose Manuel Pinto, who has been deputizing for him.

Digne discloses World Cup dream

The uncapped 20-year-old left back is hoping that if he can impress at the Parc des Princes, he could earn a Bleus callup before the season is out

Lucas Digne has admitted that his "dream" is to represent France at this summer's World Cup but knows that only by playing regularly for Paris Saint-Germain will he give himself a chance of travelling to Brazil.

The 20-year-old fullback, who arrived at the Parc des Princes from Lille ahead of the 2013-14 season, featured in Thursday's friendly against Real Madrid and is hoping he further advanced his international prospects by impressing in Doha.

"It was a fun game to play," he told L'Equipe after PSG's 1-0 loss. "There was no victory for us at the end but we will be able to draw on what we did well here during the second half of the season. 

"Everything was good. It's been a nice trip and tonight was a great test against one of the best teams in the world.

"I am very happy to be playing and I hope it will continue. The coach has me given my chance. I, of course, think about the World Cup. It is a dream but I'm going to have to continue playing games."

Digne has yet to be capped by the senior France side but he did play a key role in last summer's Under-20 World Cup triumph in Turkey.

Nigeria international Sunday Mba joins Bastia

The 25-year-old midfielder saw a proposed transfer to the Stade d'Erbajolo collapse back in September but the deal has now belatedly gone through

Nigeria international Sunday Mba has completed his move from Warri Wolves to Bastia.

The midfielder, who last week left his country's camp for the upcoming African Nations Championship to travel to France, has put pen to paper on an 18-month contract with the Ligue 2 strugglers.

Mba had agreed to join Bastia back in September but the deal collapsed when Warri Wolves pulled out of talks at the last minute.

However, the 25-year-old, who was Nigeria's hero in last January's Africa Cup of Nations final victory over Burkina Faso, has now got this wish to move to the Stade d'Erbajolo.

Americans Abroad Preview : Bradley and Roma face Juve

Michael Bradley and AS Roma return from their winter break with a big Serie A battle against first-place Juventus. But it's just one of many key battles featuring Americans.

For Michael Bradley and AS Roma, the most important part of the second half of the Serie A season will be trying to catch first-place Juventus in the standings. They won’t have to wait long for a chance to close the five-point gap as they kick off 2014 with a showdown against Juve on Sunday.

Bradley closed out the year earning a string of starts for Roma, but his status at the club remains a question mark as he battles for regular minutes among a midfield group that includes the likes of Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman and Miralem Pjanic. Reports in Italy suggest Bradley is preparing for talks with Roma about his future, with German club Bayer Leverkusen identified as a potential suitor for the U.S. national team midfielder’s services.

The Mexican League also returns to action this weekend, with several Americans ready for fresh starts after disappointing Apertura campaigns. The Club Tijuana contingent starts the Clausura under a new manager Cesar Farias after the firing of Jorge Almiron, which has to be welcome news for Joe Corona and Herculez Gomez. Neither player saw regular playing time during the Apertura campaign, but both should play key roles under Farias, who begins his tenure as manager on Saturday against Atlas.

Jonathan Bornstein begins his loan move to Atlante on Sunday with a match against defending Liga MX champions Club Leon. Bornstein never could break through with UANL Tigres, but the former U.S. World Cup player could find some sorely-needed playing time with his new club.

One American who stayed at Tigres is Jose Torres, and the U.S. World Cup veteran will look to try and take a step closer to a U.S. national team return with a good showing against Club America on Saturday. 

In England, FA Cup action begins and should offer playing opportunities for several Americans. Clint Dempsey could make his return to Fulham in Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Norwich City. Brek Shea will look to build on his impressive debut for League Championship side Barnsley by appearing in Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Coventry City. 

Jozy Altidore will try to add to his total of two goals in all competitions for Sunderland when the Black Cats take on Carlisle United on Sunday. Geoff Cameron and Stoke City play Leicester City in Saturday’s FA Cup clash. Eric Lichaj and Nottingham Forest meet West Ham United on Saturday.

The early rounds of FA Cup play usually mean a rest for starting goalkeepers like Aston Villa’s and Brad Guzan and Everton’s Tim Howard, but Everton’s FA Cup match could be a chance for another American to make his club debut as the Toffees take on Oguchi Onyewu and Queens Park Rangers. Onyewu has yet to play for QPR, but Saturday’s match could be his chance to take the field.

Though Guzan and Howard are probably not going to play, one American goalkeeper who could see a start is Tottenham backup Brad Friedel, in a crucial FA Cup clash against Arsenal on Saturday. New Spurs manager Tim Sherwood could give the 42-year-old goalkeeper a start in the London Derby.

Tim Ream and Bolton will also be in FA Cup action this weekend, taking on Blackpool on Saturday. Danny Williams and Reading meet Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, and teenage midfielder Duane Holmes and Huddersfield Town play Grimsby Town on Saturday in other FA Cup tilts featuring Americans.

In France, Alejandro Bedoya and Nantes will look to halt their recent slide with a win against Nice in Coupe de France action on Sunday. Nantes ended 2013 in disappointing fashion, going 2-3 in its final five league matches of the year to fall to seventh in Ligue 1. Beating Nice won’t halt the league struggles, but could give Bedoya and the team some confidence to start 2014.

Alonso out to end Champions League heartache

The Real Madrid midfielder is determined to help the club achieve 'La Decima' this season to atone for a string of semifinal failures.

Xabi Alonso insists Real Madrid must reach the Champions League final this season after a heartbreaking hat trick of near misses.

The Blancos have been eliminated in the last four of Europe's premier club competition for the last three campaigns, at the hands of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Those defeats have elongated Real's quest for a 10th European Cup success, but Alonso says the painful memories will act as an incentive for Carlo Ancelotti's men to reach this season's final in Lisbon on May 24.

"In recent years, playing for Real Madrid, being knocked out of the semi-finals of the Champions League was very painful," the Spanish international told Club del Deportista "That is why our aim is to reach the final this year and put those defeats behind us."

Real has started this season's competition in fine form, winning five of its six Champions League Group B games to set up a last 16 clash with German outfit Schalke.

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Rooney a doubt for Tottenham clash with Van Persie ruled out

The Netherlands international has been sidelined since December 10 with a thigh injury, while the England striker did not train Tuesday because of a groin problem.

Robin van Persie has been ruled out of Manchester United's Premier League fixture against Tottenham on Wednesday while Wayne Rooney remains a doubt with a groin injury.

The Netherlands international has been sidelined since December 10 with a thigh problem. 

Rooney, meanwhile, missed Saturday's 1-0 win over Norwich City and did not train on Tuesday ahead of the match against Tim Sherwood's side at Old Trafford.

"Robin is not quite ready, we don't think," David Moyes told reporters. "He is not too far away. With Wayne we need to wait and see. He has not trained today so we will need to assess it tomorrow."

Moyes also reiterated the club is open to securing new signings in the January transfer window, but admits the month may be difficult.

"We would always look to try and add players, but I am not sure January is a brilliant month to do business. We will be out there looking as I am sure everyone else will be," said the Scot.

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Aurelio De Laurentiis: Napoli envied by everyone in Italy

The Partenopei president claims Rafael Benitez will lead the side into an era of glory, fueling further jealousy from the rest of the Serie A clubs

Aurelio De Laurentiis says he is confident 2014 will herald the dawn of a successful new age for Napoli.

The outspoken president used his annual end of year address to compliment the work of coach Rafa Benitez and claim the rest of Serie A is envious of the way the San Paolo club is run.

The Naples outfit underwent a seismic summer overhaul after losing long-standing coach Walter Mazzarri and star striker Edinson Cavani but has rallied to nab third in the Serie A table heading into the winter break.

The club president says he can only see things getting better into the New Year.

“We have to be pleased with what 2013 brought. The fans want to win and that is all, but we must remember that we started out as a club built from nothing," the 64-year-old told Radio Kiss Kiss. “Italian clubs struggle to compete with the revenue of Europe’s giants. We followed Financial Fair Play rules and were able to achieve as much as other clubs without wasting millions. We have less than half the turnover of Juventus.

“I send a message to those know-it-alls who tell us to buy him or him: I am proud of the Napoli players who are envied by everyone."

And De Laurentiis also insisted that Benitez is the right man to lead Napoli forward.

"We wanted an international choice and a coach capable of giving our football an identity like the most important clubs in the world, with a complex 4-2-3-1 system," he continued. "Our objective is to keep reinforcing Napoli via Benitez and give him time to reap what he sows. No offense, but I don’t see other more prestigious clubs doing that well.

From Xabi Alonso to Victor Valdes: The Liga stars whose contracts expire in 2014

A host of big-name players could leave their clubs for nothing come the end of the season, so Goal gives you the full list of players who can talk to other teams starting Jan. 1.

January is a time for reflection, renewal and change. And with 2014 just around the corner, many players across Europe will be either playing to earn new contracts at the end of the current campaign - or planning a move to pastures new.

Spain's situation is uncertain for many people - and that includes the soccer industry. At the budget end of La Liga, some sides will need to check their finances before handing out deals to players soon to be out of contract, while others may simply be surplus to requirements.

Athletic Bilbao has moved to extend the contracts of three of their more important players, with captain Andoni Iraola penning a new deal recently, along with Ibai Gomez and Carlos Gurpegi. Also in the Basque Country, Real Sociedad has secured the services of defender Ion Ansotegi for one more year. Villarreal also moved to tie up talismanic midfielder Cani for four more years earlier this month, while Atletico Madrid has a verbal agreement with the in-form Raul Garcia that should be announced in January.

At Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso continues to mull over an extension, with coach Carlo Ancelotti hopeful the midfielder will stay beyond the summer. Barcelona, however, will lose goalkeeper Victor Valdes at the end of the season, while his understudy Jose Manuel Pinto may also leave as his contract expires in June. The Blaugrana do hope to announce new agreements with young defenders Marc Bartra and Martin Montoya in the coming weeks, however.

Here, Goal gives you a club-by-club guide on all of the Liga players who could become free agents come June 30, leaving them free to speak to other clubs in January.

Beckham on his back

His ability from free-kicks helped to turn him into a global superstar, but David Beckham's famous feet let him down on an ambassadorial trip to China in March. The former England midfielder was showing local children how to take the perfect free-kick when he slipped and ended up flat on his back!