Lowest Ever FIFA Rank of the Current Top 35

8 - Brazil (August 1993)
16 - Italy (94, 97, 98)
22 - Germany (March 2006)
24 - Argentina (August 1996)
25 - France (April 1998)
25 - Netherlands (February 1998)
25 - Spain (March 1998)
27 - England (February 1996)
32 - Mexico (August 2008)
33 - Sweden (April 2009)
35 - Romania (August 2004)
35 - USA (October 1997)
38 - Denmark (March 2009)
40 - Russia (December 1998)
43 - Portugal (August 1998)
47 - Serbia (December 2005)
57 - Republic of Ireland (November 1998)
58 - Bulgaria (August 2002)
62 - Cameroon (April 1997)
66 - Greece (September 1998)
66 - Japan (December 1992)
67 - Czech Republic (March 1994)
67 - Turkey (October 1993)
71 - Israel (September 1993)
76 - Uruguay (December 1998)
82 - Nigeria (November 1999)
83 - Switzerland (December 1998)
84 - Chile (December 2002)
88 - Scotland (March 2005)
89 - Ghana (June 2004)
92 - Australia (June 2000)
103 - Paraguay (May 1995)
124 - Northern Ireland (January 2004)
125 - Croatia (March 1994)
132 - Ukraine (September 1993)


It is interesting to note that Scandinavian nations Sweden, Denmark, and Norway have all been at their lowest ever ranking in 2009 while Finland has slowly been creeping up the rankings over the past few years.

Those people out there who want Juergen Klinsmann for the USA National Team post instead of Bob Bradley should perhaps think twice. Germany's lowest ever FIFA ranking was pre-World Cup 2006 with Klinsmann in charge and many fans in Germany wanted him fired before the WC began after a run of poor results, including a 4-1 loss to Italy.

Northern Ireland has made the most impressive move up the rankings in the last five years, going from their low rank of 124 in 2004 to their current position of 27.


April 2009 FIFA Rankings (Link)

The Best English Soccer Mascots

Here are some of the most bizarre/unique club mascots in English soccer.



Nottingham Forest



Burnley



Stoke City



Arsenal




Manchester United



Sheffield United



Wigan Athletic



West Ham United



Watford



Swansea City



Southend United




Manchester City




Crystal Palace




Coventry City



Bristol City

08-09: Top Premiership Teams Against The Big Four

These are the clubs who have managed to pick up a minimum of 5 points from their Big Four fixtures with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United in the current 08-09 Premier League season. Interesting that first season PL clubs Hull City and Stoke City make the list having picked up 5 points each (Hull impressively picked up all of their points on the road).

Fulham could potentially win the Big Four "mini-league" if they can manage an upset win over their local rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (where they picked up their only Big Four point last season with a 0-0 draw). Quite a turnaround from last season's 0-1-7 record.

Tottenham Hotspur (10 pts)
W - Chelsea (Home: 1-0)
D - Arsenal (Home: 0-0)
D - Manchester United (Home: 0-0)
W - Liverpool (Home: 2-1)
D - Arsenal (Away: 4-4)
D - Chelsea (Away: 1-1)

Remaining Fixture: Liverpool (Away)

Fulham (9 pts)
W - Manchester United (Home: 2-0)
D - Arsenal (Away: 0-0)
D - Chelsea (Home: 2-2)
D - Liverpool (Away: 0-0)
W - Arsenal (Home: 1-0)

Remaining Fixture: Chelsea (Away)

Aston Villa (6 pts)
D - Arsenal (Home: 2-2)
D - Manchester United (Home: 0-0)
W - Arsenal (Away: 0-2)
D - Liverpool (Home: 0-0)

Everton (5 pts)
D - Chelsea (Away: 0-0)
D - Arsenal (Home: 1-1)
D - Liverpool (Away: 1-1)
D - Chelsea (Home: 0-0)
D - Manchester United (Home: 1-1)

Hull City (5 pts)
D - Chelsea (Away: 0-0)
D - Liverpool (Away: 2-2)
W - Arsenal (Away: 1-2)

Remaining Fixture: Manchester United (Home)

Stoke City (5 pts)
D - Liverpool (Home: 0-0)
W - Arsenal (Home: 2-1)
D - Liverpool (Away: 0-0)

Remaining Fixture: Arsenal (Away)



Zero Points Against the Big Four
Blackburn - 0-0-7 (Chelsea Away)
Bolton Wanderers - 0-0-8
Portsmouth - 0-0-7 (Arsenal Home)
West Bromwich Albion - 0-0-7 (Liverpool Home)

Videos: MLS Funny Men

These clips show a few funny off the field Major League Soccer moments from the past couple of seasons. I might have to make this a future series because there's a ton of clips I could have included here. In the interest of time, I'll leave it to these classic clips for today. Enjoy!





Check out JimmyConrad.com for blogs and more

April: Top Ranked Nations by Confederation since 1999

This list shows the FIFA top ranked nation of eace confederation in the month of April since 1999.


1999
1 - Brazil
2 - France
13 - Mexico
19 - Morocco
36 - South Korea
104 - New Zealand

2000
1 - Brazil
2 - Czech Republic
8 - Mexico
24 - South Africa
43 - South Korea
103 - New Zealand

2001
1 - Brazil
2 - France
13 - Mexico
22 - South Africa
29 - Saudi Arabia
95 - New Zealand

2002
1 - France
2 - Brazil
7 - Mexico
18 - Cameroon
32 - Iran
87 - New Zealand

2003
1 - Brazil
2 - Spain
9 - Mexico
17 - Cameroon
21 - South Korea
52 - New Zealand

2004
1 - Brazil
2 - France
4 - Mexico
13 - Cameroon
17 - Iran
94 - New Zealand

2005
1 - Brazil
2 - Czech Republic
8 - Mexico
17 - Japan
24 - Nigeria
99 - New Zealand

2006
1 - Brazil
2 - Czech Republic
4 - USA
12 - Nigeria
17 - Japan
120 - New Zealand

2007
1 - Italy
2 - Argentina
13 - Cameroon
18 - Mexico
42 - Iran
132 - New Zealand

2008
1 - Argentina
3 - Italy
14 - Ghana
16 - Mexico
36 - Japan
77 - New Zealand

2009
1 - Spain
4 - Brazil
15 - USA
19 - Cameroon
32 - Australia
79 - New Zealand


Average of April Top-Ranked Nations by Confederation:
1.36 - South America
1.91 - Europe
10.46 - North, Central America and Caribbean
17.73 - Africa
29.27 - Asia
94.73 - Oceania

Highest April Rank by Confederation
1 - South America (Brazil, Argentina)
1 - Europe (France, Spain, Italy)
4 - North, Central America and Caribbean (Mexico)
12 - Africa (Nigeria)
17 - Asia (Japan)
52 - Oceania (New Zealand)

Premiership Players Born 10 Miles or Less from Their Current Club's Stadium

Arsenal
5 miles - KIERAN GIBBS - Lambeth, London

Aston Villa
3 miles - GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR - Erdington
4 miles - NATHAN DELFOUNESO - Tyseley, Birmingham
8 miles - ZAT KNIGHT - Solihull
8 miles - CRAIG GARDNER - Solihull

Blackburn Rovers
9 miles - DAVID DUNN - Great Harwood

Bolton Wanderers
4 miles - NICKY HUNT - Westhoughton

Chelsea
5 miles - JOE COLE - Paddington, London
8 miles - ASHLEY COLE - Stepney, London
9 miles - MICHAEL MANCIENNE - Isleworth

Everton
6 miles - LEIGHTON BAINES - Kirkby, Liverpool
7 miles - TONY HIBBERT - Huyton, Liverpool

Fulham
NONE

Hull City
2 miles - NICK BARMBY - Hull
2 miles - DEAN WINDASS - Hull

Liverpool
3 miles - JAMIE CARRAGHER - Bootle
10 miles - STEVEN GERRARD - Whiston

Manchester City
9 miles - MICHAEL JOHNSON - Urmston, Manchester

Manchester United
3 miles - WES BROWN - Longsight, Manchester
3 miles - DANNY WELBECK - Longsight, Manchester
3 miles - PAUL SCHOLES - Salford

Middlesbrough
1 miles - STEWART DOWNING - Middlesbrough
5 miles - MATTHEW BATES - Stockton
9 miles - DAVID WHEATER - Redcar

Newcastle United
3 miles - ANDY CARROLL - Gateshead

Portsmouth
NONE

Stoke City
10 miles - ANDY WILKINSON - Stone

Sunderland
NONE

Tottenham Hotspur
6 miles - LEDLEY KING - Bow, London

West Bromwich Albion
NONE

West Ham United
3 miles - MARK NOBLE - Canning Town, London
8 miles - SCOTT PARKER - Lambeth, London
9 miles - FREDDIE SEARS - Hornchurch

Wigan Athletic
NONE



Criteria:
I used the 'Get Directions' function of google maps to come up with these numbers. (Example -- Stewart Downing -- Middlesbrough, England to Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England = 1.4 miles rounded to 1 mile). So technically these numbers aren't 'as the bird flies' but are the driving distances to the stadiums from the center points of each birth city.

Kevin Keegan Video Collection

Kevin Keegan is an interesting guy. He was European Footballer of the Year twice, a Pop Star, a Bad Perm Pioneer, a Public Servant, a Moderately successful manager, and he was/is always good for an interesting quote or rant. This video collection shows the many sides of Keegan, from a young, seemingly nervous man in the first video to the famous "I would love it if we beat them" rant in the last video.









From BBC:

And who can forget Kevin Keegan falling off a bike at high speed?

The then-England international footballer was competing in European Superstars in Bracknell in 1976 when he fell of his bike in the cycling round.

Despite suffering severe skin cuts and abrasions, Keegan insisted on racing again and qualified for the final thanks to a second-place finish.

Keegan's astonishing demonstration of courage was complete when he won the final steeplechase event to win the programme.

April 2009: Biggest Movers FIFA Rankings

Positive Movers

+26 - TOGO (65) W: Cameroon
+20 - BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (38) W: Belgium; W: Belgium
+15 - NORTHERN IRELAND (27) W: Poland; W: Slovenia
+15 - GABON (48) W: Morocco
+13 - SERBIA (23) W: Sweden; W: Romania
+10 - LATVIA (61) W: Luxembourg; W: Luxembour
+10 - BURKINA FASO (56) W: Guinea
+10 - CYPRUS (74) W: Georgia
+10 - AUSTRIA (78) W: Romania

Negative Movers

-18 - ICELAND (93) L: Scotland; L: Faroe Islands
-13 - BELGIUM (62) L: Bosnia-Herzegovina; L: Bosnia-Herzegovina
-12 - POLAND (41) L: Northern Ireland
-11 - IRAN (53) L: Saudi Arabia
-11 - PERU (88) L: Brazil; L: Chile
-11 - ALBANIA (91) L: Denmark; L: Hungary
-11 - KENYA (107) L: Tunisia; L: Iran; L: Egypt; L: Uganda



Criteria: Top 100 Nations; + or - 10 or more positions

MLS South American Players: Interactive Map

This map shows the hometowns/birthplaces of all the South American born players in MLS for the 2009 season (as listed at mlsnet.com). Click the icons for player names and their current teams.


View Larger Map


Click the SAT button in the top right corner if you would like to see satellite imagery and labels.

Brazilians in the Premier League since 2000

2000/2001 -- (3)
Edu - Arsenal
Sylvinho - Arsenal
Emerson Thome - Sunderland

2001/2002 -- (2)
Edu - Arsenal
Emerson Thome - Sunderland


2002/2003 -- (6)
Doriva - Middlesbrough
Edu - Arsenal
Gilberto Silva - Arsenal
Juninho - Middlesbrough
Rodrigo - Everton
Emerson Thome - Sunderland; Bolton

2003/2004 - (8)
Doriva - Middlesbrough
Edu - Arsenal
Gilberto Silva - Arsenal
Mario Jardel - Bolton
Juninho - Middlesbrough
Kléberson - Manchester United
Roque Júnior – Leeds United
Emerson Thome - Bolton

2004/2005 -- (5)
Doriva - Middlesbrough
Edu - Arsenal
Gilberto Silva - Arsenal
Júlio César - Bolton
Kléberson - Manchester United

2005/2006 -- (3)
Doriva - Middlesbrough
Gilberto Silva - Arsenal
Fábio Rochemback - Middlesbrough

2006/2007 -- (6)
Anderson Silva - Everton
Julio Baptista - Arsenal
Denilson - Arsenal
Gilberto Silva - Arsenal
Douglas Rinaldi - Watford
Fábio Rochemback - Middlesbrough

2007/2008 -- (11)
Alex - Chelsea
Afonso Alves - Middlesbrough
Fábio Aurélio - Liverpool
Juliano Belletti - Chelsea
Caçapa - Newcastle United
Denilson - Arsenal
Elano - Manchester City
Geovanni - Manchester City
Gilberto - Tottenham Hotspur
Lucas Leiva - Liverpool
Rafael Schmitz - Birmingham City

2008/2009 -- (17)
Alex - Chelsea
Afonso Alves - Middlesbrough
Anderson - Manchester United
Fábio Aurélio - Liverpool
Juliano Belletti - Chelsea
Caçapa - Newcastle United
Denilson - Arsenal
Elano - Manchester City
Geovanni - Manchester City
Gilberto - Tottenham Hotspur
Heurelho Gomes - Tottenham Hotspur
Jô - Manchester City; Everton (Loan)
Lucas Leiva – Liverpool
Mineiro – Chelsea
Rodrigo Possebon – Manchester United
Rafael – Manchester United
Robinho - Manchester City




Pics from Daily Mail and TeamTalk

Videos: Rapping Soccer Players

It's pretty well known that Fulham's Clint Dempsey has an interest in rap music. He made the "Don't Tread on This" video for NikeSoccer a while back but in a recent post match interview mentioned that he's retired from the rap scene.

Clint isn't the only player to try his hand at rapping. Legendary players including; Andy Cole, Gazza, John Barnes, Chris Waddle, and Youri Djorkaeff, have (hilariously) attempted to break into the music scene, some with more success than others. I particularly enjoyed the Peter Gabriel-esque Chris Waddle French accent Afro-Pop-Rap video. Here is some 'most excellent' video evidence of all of their "skills"



Andy Cole "Outstanding"


Paul Gascoigne "Fog On The Tyne"


John Barnes "World in Motion"


Clint Dempsey "Don't Tread On This"


Chris Waddle "We've Got A Feeling"


Youri Djorkaeff "Vivre Dans ta Lumière"



Bonus Video: Liverpool FC "Anfield Rap"



Ryan Babel aka RIO "Eeyeeyo" Babel at around the 2:00 minute mark
Added Thanks to commenter 'Sierra'

Map: 2009 MLS Central American and Caribbean Players

Click to Enlarge

Bright Neon Soccer Shirts

I was looking at a picture of last season's sun glasses worthy Marseille (#9) orange sherbet shirt and thought I would put together a few of the bright neon kits that teams have worn over the past few seasons. Did I miss any unnecessarily bright teams? Let me know and I'll add them to the list.

FC Porto


Sevilla FC

Manchester City


Sheffield Wednesday


Wigan Athletic


Oldham Athletic (Worn vs Leeds United to raise money for Breast Cancer)


Palmeiras (Brazil)


Lyon


Marseille


Derby County


Liverpool


Galatasaray


Chelsea


Barcelona


Barcelona


Roma


Borussia Dortmund


Plymouth Argyle

Pics from: Classic Football Shirts UK and Old Football Shirts and Subside Sports

All-Time African Players in MLS by Season

This is a comprehensive list of every African player that has made at least one appearance in Major League Soccer since the league's inception in 1996, sorted by season. The players listed in BOLD have made at least one Senior Level appearance for their national team. The end of the post lists all of the African MLS players that attended American Colleges and Universities and the All-Time player count for the different African nations represented.

1996
Derek Backman (South Africa) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Shaun Bartlett (South Africa) - Colorado Rapids
Samuel Ekeme (Cameroon) - Kansas City Wizards
Michael Emenalo (Nigeria) - San Jose Clash
Richard Farrer (South Africa) - Dallas Burn
Ben Iroha (Nigeria) - San Jose Clash
Louis Ken-Kwofie (Ghana) - NY/NJ Metrostars
Ivan McKinley (South Africa) - New England Revolution
Obi Monome (Nigeria) - Columbus Crew
Manny Motajo (Nigeria) - Los Angeles Galaxy
Uche Okafor (Nigeria) - Kansas City Wiz
Francis Okaroh (Nigeria) - New England Revolution
Vitalis Takawira (Zimbabwe) - Kansas City Wiz

1997
Derek Backman (South Africa) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Shawn Bartlett (South Africa) - NY/NJ Metrostars
Chiquinho Conde (Mozambique) - New England Revolution; Tampa Bay Mutiny
Michael Emenalo (Nigeria) - San Jose Clash
Richard Farrer (South Africa) - Dallas Burn
Ben Iroha (Nigeria) - DC United
Ivan McKinley (South Africa) - New England Revolution
Uche Okafor (Nigeria) - Kansas City Wizards
Francis Okaroh (Nigeria) - New England Revolution
Patrick Olalere (Nigeria) - New England Revolution
Musa Shannon (Liberia) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Vitalis Takawira (Zimbabwe) - Kansas City Wizards

1998
Richard Farrer (South Africa) - Dallas Burn
Jair (Cape Verde) - New England Revolution
Ivan McKinley (South Africa) - New England Revolution
Manny Motajo (Nigeria) - New England Revolution
Uche Okafor (Nigeria) - Kansas City Wizards
Francis Okaroh (Nigeria) - Chicago Fire
Brian Sebapole (South Africa) - San Jose Clash
Musa Shannon (Liberia) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Vitalis Takawira (Zimbabwe) - Kansas City Wizards

1999
Joe Addo (Ghana) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Jair (Cape Verde) - San Jose Clash
Paulo dos Santos (Cape Verde) - New England Revolution
Richard Farrer (South Africa) - Dallas Burn
Fernando Fernandes (Angola) - Metrostars
Ivan McKinley (South Africa) - New England Revolution
Manny Motajo (Nigeria) - New England Revolution
Uche Okafor (Nigeria) - Kansas City Wizards
Francis Okaroh (Nigeria) - Chicago Fire
Musa Shannon (Liberia) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Vitalis Takawira (Zimbabwe) - Kansas City Wizards

2000
Joe Addo (Ghana) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Junior Agogo (Ghana) - Chicago Fire
Tenywa Bonseu (Uganda) - Chicago Fire
Peter Byaruhanga (Uganda) - Kansas City Wizards
Manuel Bucuane (Mozambique) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Abdul Thompson Conteh (Sierra Leone) - San Jose Earthquakes
Mamadou Diallo (Senegal) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Richard Farrer (South Africa) - Dallas Burn
Ivan McKinley (South Africa) - New England Revolution
Uche Okafor (Nigeria) - Kansas City Wizards
Francis Okaroh (Nigeria) - Miami Fusion

2001
Joe Addo (Ghana) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Junior Agogo (Ghana) - Colorado Rapids
Tenywa Bonseu (Uganda) - Columbus Crew
Michael Butler (Liberia) - NY/NJ Metrostars
Abdul Thompson Conteh (Sierra Leone) - DC United
Mamadou Diallo (Senegal) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Richard Farrer (South Africa) - Dallas Burn
Neathan Bigson (South Africa) - Colorado Rapids
Jair (Cape Verde) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Ivan McKinley (South Africa) - Miami Fusion

2002
Joe Addo (Ghana) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Junior Agogo (Ghana) - San Jose Earthquakes
Tenywa Bonseu (Uganda) - Dallas Burn
Abdul Thompson Conteh (Sierra Leone) - DC United
Mamadou Diallo (Senegal) - New England Revolution; NY/NJ Metrostars
Birahim Diop (Senegal) - NY/NJ Metrostars
Richard Farrer (South Africa) - Dallas Burn
Sam Forko (Liberia) - NY/NJ Metrostars
Daouda Kanté (Mali) - New England Revolution
Ivan McKinley (South Africa) - DC United
Musa Shannon (Liberia) - Colorado Rapids
Dipsy Sololwane (Botswana) - Chicago Fire

2003
Joe Addo (Ghana) - Tampa Bay Mutiny
Edgar Barolomeu (Angola) - Metrostars
Tenywa Bonseu (Uganda) - Dallas Burn
Chris Gbandi (Liberia) - Dallas Burn
Daouda Kanté (Mali) - New England Revolution
Ibrahim Kanté (Mali) - New England Revolution
Toni Nhleko (South Africa) - Dallas Burn
Zizi Roberts (Liberia) - Colorado Rapids
Dipsy Sololwane (Botswana) - Chicago Fire

2004
Joe Addo (Ghana) - NY/NJ Metrostars
Tenywa Bonseu (Uganda) - NY/NJ Metrostars
Chris Gbandi (Liberia) - Dallas Burn
Sumed Ibrahim (Ghana) - Chicago Fire
Daouda Kanté (Mali) - New England Revolution
Nana Kuffour (Ghana) - DC United
Joseph Ngwenya (Zimbabwe) - Los Angeles Galaxy
Toni Nhleko (South Africa) - Dallas Burn
Zizi Roberts (Liberia) - Colorado Rapids
Dipsy Sololwane (Botswana) - Chicago Fire

2005
Mubarike Chisoni (Zimbabwe) - Los Angeles Galaxy
Connally Edozien (Nigeria) - New England Revolution
Chris Gbandi (Liberia) - FC Dallas
Abbe Ibrahim (Togo) - NY/NJ Metrostars
Nana Kuffour (Ghana) - DC United
Joseph Ngwenya (Zimbabwe) - Los Angeles Galaxy
Alain Nkong (Cameroon) - Colorado Rapids
Eugene Sepuya (Uganda) - Colorado Rapids
Dipsy Sololwane (Botswana) - Chicago Fire; Real Salt Lake
Melvin Tarley (Liberia) - Real Salt Lake

2006
Mehdi Ballouchy (Morocco) - Real Salt Lake
Bouna Coundoul (Senegal) - Colorado Rapids
Willis Forko (Liberia) - Real Salt Lake
Chris Gbandi (Liberia) - FC Dallas
Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone) - Columbus Crew
Joel Kitamirike (Uganda) - Columbus Crew
Joseph Ngwenya (Zimbabwe) - Columbus Crew
Alain Nkong (Cameroon) - Colorado Rapids
Dominic Oduro (Ghana) - FC Dallas
Robert Ssejjenba (Uganda) - DC United
Melvin Tarley (Liberia) - Colorado Rapids

2007
Mehdi Ballouchy (Morocco) - Real Salt Lake
Kasali Yinka Casal (Nigeria) - DC United
Bouna Coundoul (Senegal) - Colorado Rapids
Francis Doe (Liberia) - New York Red Bulls
Willis Forko (Liberia) - Real Salt Lake
Chris Gbandi (Liberia) - FC Dallas
Abbe Ibrahim (Togo) - Toronto FC
Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone) - Columbus Crew
Jean-Martial Kipre (Côte d'Ivoire) - Real Salt Lake
Guy-Roland Kpene (Côte d'Ivoire) - DC United
Abdoulie Mansally (Gambia) - New England Revolution
Jerson Monteiro (Angola) - Chicago Fire
Joseph Ngwenya (Zimbabwe) - Columbus Crew; Houston Dynamo
Sainey Nyassi (Gambia) - New England Revolution
Dominic Oduro (Ghana) - FC Dallas
Arsene Oka (Côte d'Ivoire) - New England Revolution
Bakary Soumare (Mali) - Chicago Fire
Olivier Tebily (Côte d'Ivoire) - Toronto FC

2008
Mehdi Ballouchy (Morocco) - Colorado Rapids
Danleigh Borman (South Africa) - New York Red Bulls
Louis Crayton (Liberia) - DC United
Bouna Coundoul (Senegal) - Colorado Rapids
Francis Doe (Liberia) - DC United
Kheli Dube (Zimbabwe) - New England Revolution
Emmanuel Ekpo (Nigeria) - Columbus Crew
Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone) - San Jose Earthquakes; Houston Dynamo
Macoumba Kandji (Senegal) - New York Red Bulls
Thabiso Khumalo (South Africa) - DC United
Abdoulie Mansally (Gambia) - New England Revolution
Matthew Mbuta (Cameroon) - New York Red Bulls
Patrick Nyarko (Ghana) - Chicago Fire
Sainey Nyassi (Gambia) - New England Revolution
Dominic Oduro (Ghana) - FC Dallas
Adam Smarte (Liberia) - San Jose Earthquakes
Davide Somma (South Africa) - San Jose Earthquakes
Bakary Soumare (Mali) - Chicago Fire

2009
*Ade Akinbiyi (Nigeria) - Houston Dynamo
Mehdi Ballouchy (Morocco) - Colorado Rapids
Danleigh Borman (South Africa) - New York Red Bulls
Louis Crayton (Liberia) - DC United
Francis Doe (Liberia) - DC United
Kheli Dube (Zimbabwe) - New England Revolution
Emmanuel Ekpo (Nigeria) - Columbus Crew
*Emmanuel Gomez (Gambia) - Toronto FC
Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone) - Houston Dynamo
Macoumba Kandji (Senegal) - New York Red Bulls
Thabiso Khumalo (South Africa) - DC United
Michael Lahoud (Sierra Leone) - Chivas USA
Abdoulie Mansally (Gambia) - New England Revolution
Matthew Mbuta (Cameroon) - New York Red Bulls
Ange N'Silu (Congo DR) - DC United
Patrick Nyarko (Ghana) - Chicago Fire
Sainey Nyassi (Gambia) - New England Revolution
Sanna Nyassi (Gambia) - Seattle Sounders
*Stanley Nyazamba (Zimbabwe) - Columbus Crew
Dominic Oduro (Ghana) - New York Red Bulls
Stephane Ombiogno (Cameroon) - New England Revolution
*Emmanuel Osei (Ghana) - New England Revolution
*Amadou Sanyang (Gambia) - Toronto FC
Adam Smarte (Liberia) - San Jose Earthquakes
Davide Somma (South Africa) - San Jose Earthquakes
Bakary Soumare (Mali) - Chicago Fire
Steve Zakuani (Congo DR) - Seattle Sounders


*Signed but yet to make an MLS appearance



ALL-TIME NUMBER OF MLS PLAYERS FROM...
11 - Nigeria, South Africa
10 - Liberia
8 - Ghana
5 - Gambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe
4 - Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal
3 - Angola, Mali, Sierra Leone
2 - Cape Verde, Congo DR, Mozambique
1 - Botswana, Morocco, Togo

AFRICAN MLS PLAYERS THAT ATTENDED AMERICAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Jerson Monteiro (AL-Birmingham)
Dipsy Selolwane (Saint Louis University)
Paulo Dos Santos (Rhode Island)
Steve Zakuani (Akron)
Guy-Roland Kpene (Dowling College)
Joe Addo (George Mason)
Chris Gbandi (Connecticut)
Musa Shannon (Robert Morris)
Adam Smarte (UC Santa Cruz)
Daouda Kante (Florida International)
Bakary Soumare (Virginia)
Mehdi Ballouchy (Santa Clara)
Connally Edozien (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
Manny Motajo (Howard University)
Francie Okaroh (Boston University)
Bouna Coundoul (Albany)
Macoumba Kandji (Georgia Military Bulldogs)
Abdul Thompson Conteh (UDC)
Kei Kamara (Dominguez Hills Toros)
Michael Lahoud (Wake Forest)
Derek Backman (Boca Raton)
Danleigh Borman (Rhode Island)
Rich Farrer (New Mexico)
Thabiso Khumalo (Coastal Carolina)
Ivan McKinley (Boca Raton)
Tenywa Bonseu (Martin Methodist)
Eugene Sepuya (Alabama A&M)
Robert Ssejjemba (Virginia Intermont College)
Mubarike Chisoni (Costal Carolina)
Kheli Dube (Coastal Carolina)
Joseph Ngwenya (Coastal Carolina)
Stanley Nyazamba (Lee University)

All-Time Argentina Premiership Players by Season

1992 Thru 1997
NONE

1998/1999 -- (5)
Fabián Caballero - Arsenal
Horacio Carbonari - Derby County
Juan Cobián - Sheffield Wednesday
Mauricio Taricco - Tottenham Hotspur
Nelson Vivas - Arsenal

1999/2000 -- (5)
Horacio Carbonari - Derby County
Esteban Fuertes - Derby County
Carlos Marinelli - Middlesbrough
Mauricio Taricco - Tottenham Hotspur
Nelson Vivas - Arsenal

2000/2001 -- (7)
Julio Arca - Sunderland
Christian Bassedas - Newcastle United
Horacio Carbonari - Derby County
Daniel Cordone - Newcastle United
Carlos Marinelli - Middlesbrough
Mauricio Taricco - Tottenham Hotspur
Nelson Vivas - Arsenal

2001/2002 -- (7)
Julio Arca - Sunderland
Christian Bassedas - Newcastle United
Horacio Carbonari - Derby County
Carlos Marinelli - Middlesbrough
Sixto Peralta - Ipswich Town
Marucio Taricco - Tottenham Hotspur
Lucioano Zavagno - Derby County

2002/2003 -- (5)
Julio Arca - Sunderland
Martin Herrera - Fulham
Carlos Marinelli - Middlesbrough
Facundo Sava - Fulham
Juan Sebastián Verón – Manchester United
Mauricio Taricco - Tottenham Hotspur

2003/2004 -- (6)
Hernan Crespo - Chelsea
Luciano Figueroa - Birmingham City
Carlos Marinelli - Middlesbrough
Facundo Sava - Fulham FC
Mauricio Taricco - Tottenham Hotspur
Juan Sebastián Verón - Chelsea

2004/2005 -- (3)
Gabriel Heinze - Manchester United
Mauricio Pellegrino - Liverpool FC
Julián Speroni - Crystal Palace

2005/2006 -- (5)
Julio Arca - Sunderland
Hernan Crespo - Chelsea
Andrés D'Alessandro - Portsmouth FC
Gabriel Heinze - Manchester United
Lionel Scaloni - West Ham United

2006/2007 -- (6)
Julio Arca - Middlesbrough
Gabriel Heinze - Manchester United
Emiliano Insúa - Liverpool
Javier Mascherano - West Ham United
Gabriel Paletta - Liverpool
Carlos Tévez - West Ham United

2007/2008 -- (6)
Julio Arca - Middlesbrough
Emiliano Insúa - Liverpool
Javier Mascherano - Liverpool
Carlos Tévez - Manchester United
Emmanuel Villa - Derby County
Mauro Zárate – Birmingham City

2008/2009 -- (9)
Julio Arca - Middlesbrough
Fabricio Coloccini - Newcastle United
Franco Di Santo - Chelsea
Jonás Gutiérrez - Newcastle United
Emiliano Insúa - Liverpool
Javier Mascherano - Liverpool
Juan Carlos Menseguez – West Bromwich Albion
Carlos Tévez - Manchester United
Pablo Zabaleta – Manchester City



Pics from BBC and BigSoccer

Foreign Players in South American Leagues

This list shows all of the foreign (by birth or national team affiliation) players from outside of South America playing in the top division leagues of CONMEBOL.

ARGENTINA

Arsenal de Sarandi
José Manuel Contreras - Guatemala

Rosario Central
Iván Moreno y Fabianesi - Spain

BOLIVIA
NONE

BRAZIL

Náutico
Udo Nwoko - Born in Nigeria, Capped by Malta

Sport Recife
Hamílton - Born in Brazil, Capped by Togo

CHILE

Cobreloa
Juan Carlos Caballero - Spain

CD Huachipato
Edgardo Abdala - Born in Chile, Capped by Palestine

CD Palestino
Roberto Bishara - Born in Chile, Capped by Palestine


COLOMBIA

Boyacá Chicó
Mario García - Mexico

La Equidad
Román Torres - Panama

Atlético Huila
Nelson Barahona - Panama
Amilcar Henríquez - Panama

Millonarios
Luis Tejada - Panama

ECUADOR
NONE

PARAGUAY

Olimpia Asunción
Carlos Figueroa - Guatemala
Carlos Ruiz - Guatemala

Sportivo Luqueño
Bryan Steven López - USA

PERU

Sport Ancash
Nathaniel Revetria - Mexico

Universitario
Rodolfo Espinoza - Mexico


URUGUAY

C.A. Bella Vista
Kevin Hernández - Honduras

Central Español
Alain Yomby - Cameroon

Tacuarembó F.C.
Martin Kanga - Cameroon


VENEZUELA

Carabobo FC
Junior Madrigal - Mexico

Caracas FC
Rolando Escobar - Panama
Rodrigo Prieto - Mexico
Gerardo Torres - Mexico

Deportivo Italia
Miguel Ángel Aponte - Spain


As of 4/8/09

2008-2009 Ugliest Soccer Shirts

These shirts from the current 08-09 season are bright, gaudy, busy, and I think if you look close enough at some of them, there may be a secret message in there somewhere. Some of these may have to be considered for the all-time ugliest shirts (which needs an update anyways). I have to admit though, I actually like a few of these shirts, even with the ugly factor. Feel free to agree or disagree, I'd like to add more to the list.

Marseille (France)




RC Lens (France)




Seattle Sounders (USA)




Le Havre (France)




Lecce (Italy)



Cork City FC (Republic of Ireland)





Alemannia Aachen (Germany)




SK Dynamo České Budějovice (Czech Republic)




US Boulogne (France)




ADO Den Haag (Netherlands)




1860 Munich (Germany)