The many clubs of former European Golden Shoe winner and Brazilian International Mário Jardel. Jardel was one of Europe's top scorers with FC Porto, Galatasaray, and Sporting CP between 1996 and 2003. His move to Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 2003 was the beginning of the end for his top form which he has since tried to regain at more than a dozen clubs around the world.
View Mário Jardel in a larger map
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
CONCACAF vs The World - 2010/2011
The 5 most recent results for the top CONCACAF teams against non-CONCACAF opponents.
Panama (12 pts)
2-0 Bolivia
0-1 Peru
1-0 Peru
3-1 Venezuela
2-1 Venezuela
Mexico (11 pts)
1-1 Venezuela
3-1 Paraguay
2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
2-2 Venezuela
1-0 Colombia
USA (6 pts)
0-1 Paraguay
1-1 Argentina
1-1 Chile
1-0 South Africa
0-0 Colombia
Canada (5 pts)
1-0 Belarus
0-1 Greece
2-2 Ukraine
0-2 Peru
1-1 Venezuela
Honduras (3 pts)
0-3 China
0-4 South Korea
1-1 Ecuador
1-1 New Zealand
0-0 Switzerland
Costa Rica (3 pts)
0-0 Argentina
2-2 China
2-2 Venezuela
0-2 Peru
0-2 Paraguay
Jamaica (1 pts)
0-2 Venezuela
1-2 Peru
0-2 South Africa
1-2 Argentina
0-0 South Africa
El Salvador, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada have not played any nations outside of CONCACAF in the last year.
One thing to keep in mind is this is not necessarily a 100% true representation of first "A" team form considering many teams experiment heavily with new players and formations in friendlies at the start of a new World Cup cycle.
Panama (12 pts)
2-0 Bolivia
0-1 Peru
1-0 Peru
3-1 Venezuela
2-1 Venezuela
Mexico (11 pts)
1-1 Venezuela
3-1 Paraguay
2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
2-2 Venezuela
1-0 Colombia
USA (6 pts)
0-1 Paraguay
1-1 Argentina
1-1 Chile
1-0 South Africa
0-0 Colombia
Canada (5 pts)
1-0 Belarus
0-1 Greece
2-2 Ukraine
0-2 Peru
1-1 Venezuela
Honduras (3 pts)
0-3 China
0-4 South Korea
1-1 Ecuador
1-1 New Zealand
0-0 Switzerland
Costa Rica (3 pts)
0-0 Argentina
2-2 China
2-2 Venezuela
0-2 Peru
0-2 Paraguay
Jamaica (1 pts)
0-2 Venezuela
1-2 Peru
0-2 South Africa
1-2 Argentina
0-0 South Africa
El Salvador, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada have not played any nations outside of CONCACAF in the last year.
One thing to keep in mind is this is not necessarily a 100% true representation of first "A" team form considering many teams experiment heavily with new players and formations in friendlies at the start of a new World Cup cycle.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
South American Players Abroad
Top Division leagues around the World that feature a minimum of 10 players from a single South American nation. Numbers compiled from Transfer Markt.
Argentina
87 - Chile Primera Division
41 - Italy Serie A
39 - Spain La Liga
35 - Peru Torneo Descentralizado
31 - Mexico Primera División
30 - Greece Super League
20 - Colombia Liga Postobon I
16 - Cyprus Division A
16 - Uruguay Primera Division
12 - Brazil Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A
12 - Portugal SuperLiga
Brazil
142 - Portugal SuperLiga
32 - Italy Serie A
31 - Romania Liga 1
30 - Japan J-League
29 - Cyprus Division A
27 - Ukraine Premier Liga
27 - Greece Super League
26 - Germany Bundesliga
25 - South Korea K-League
25 - Spain La Liga
25 - Turkey Super Lig
21 - Bulgaria A Liga
20 - Belgium Jupiler Pro League
20 - France Ligue 1
20 - Russia Premier League
15 - USA Major League Soccer
13 - England Premier League
13 - Uruguay Primera Division
12 - Sweden Allsvenskan
11 - Saudi Arabia Professional League
10 - Netherlands Eredivisie
10 - Hungary Nemzeti Bajnokság
Colombia
26 - Peru Torneo Descentralizado
15 - USA Major League Soccer
13 - Mexico Primera Division
Paraguay
18 - Chile Primera Division
17 - Argentina Primera Division
15 - Colombia Liga Postobon I
Uruguay
25 - Argentina Primera Division
20 - Italy Serie A
17 - Chile Primera Division
16 - Spain La Liga
12 - Mexico Primera Division
Argentina
87 - Chile Primera Division
41 - Italy Serie A
39 - Spain La Liga
35 - Peru Torneo Descentralizado
31 - Mexico Primera División
30 - Greece Super League
20 - Colombia Liga Postobon I
16 - Cyprus Division A
16 - Uruguay Primera Division
12 - Brazil Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A
12 - Portugal SuperLiga
Brazil
142 - Portugal SuperLiga
32 - Italy Serie A
31 - Romania Liga 1
30 - Japan J-League
29 - Cyprus Division A
27 - Ukraine Premier Liga
27 - Greece Super League
26 - Germany Bundesliga
25 - South Korea K-League
25 - Spain La Liga
25 - Turkey Super Lig
21 - Bulgaria A Liga
20 - Belgium Jupiler Pro League
20 - France Ligue 1
20 - Russia Premier League
15 - USA Major League Soccer
13 - England Premier League
13 - Uruguay Primera Division
12 - Sweden Allsvenskan
11 - Saudi Arabia Professional League
10 - Netherlands Eredivisie
10 - Hungary Nemzeti Bajnokság
Colombia
26 - Peru Torneo Descentralizado
15 - USA Major League Soccer
13 - Mexico Primera Division
Paraguay
18 - Chile Primera Division
17 - Argentina Primera Division
15 - Colombia Liga Postobon I
Uruguay
25 - Argentina Primera Division
20 - Italy Serie A
17 - Chile Primera Division
16 - Spain La Liga
12 - Mexico Primera Division
Monday, March 28, 2011
East Africa National Team Crests
National Team Crests from Eastern African nations.
Burundi
Djibouti
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Kenya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mozambique
Rwanda
Somalia
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Burundi
Djibouti
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Kenya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mozambique
Rwanda
Somalia
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Friday, March 25, 2011
Explanation of FIFA Rankings Point Calculation
The calculations used to award points in the FIFA rankings.
P = Total Points received in a match
M = Was the match won or drawn?
I = How important was the match? (ranging from friendly to WC)
T = How strong was the opposing team in FIFA ranking position?
C = How strong was the opposing Confederation?
P = M x I x T x C
M = Points for Match Result
W: 3 points
D: 1 points
L: 0 points
*In a penalty shootout the winner gets 2 points and the loser gets 1 point
I = Importance of Match
1.0 - Friendly Match
2.5 - FIFA World Cup qualifier or confederation-level qualifier
3.0 - Confederation-level final competition or Confederations Cup
4.0 - World Cup
T = Strength of Opposing Team
no. 1 = 200
no. 22 = 178
no. 50 = 150
no. 78 = 122
no. 100 = 100
no. 150 = 50
etc.
*Teams ranked 150th and below are assigned a minimum value of 50
C = Strength of Confederation
1.00 - UEFA and CONMEBOL
0.88 - CONCACAF
0.86 - CAF
0.85 - AFC and OFC
*based on the number of victories by confederation at the last 3 World Cups
Examples of recent USA games
USA v Algeria 2010 World Cup (USA 1-0 Algeria)
M = 3 points for USA win
I = 4.0 for World Cup match
T = 170 for Strength of Opposing team Algeria (30)
C = 0.87 for Avg. Strength of Confederations (CONCACAF and CAF)
P = 3 x 4 x 170 x 0.87 = 1,774.8 points
USA v Spain 2009 Confederations Cup (USA 2-0 Spain)
M = 3 points for USA win
I = 3.0 for Confederations Cup match
T = 200 for Strength of Opposing team Spain (1)
C = 0.94 for Avg. Strength of Confederations (CONCACAF and UEFA)
P = 3 x 3 x 200 x 0.94 = 1,692.0 points
USA v Mexico 2009 Home World Cup Qualifier (USA 2-0 Mexico)
M = 3 points for USA win
I = 2.5 for World Cup Qualifier
T = 176 for Strength of Opposing Team Mexico (24)
C = 0.88 for Strength of Confederation (CONCACAF)
P = 3 x 2.5 x 176 x 0.88 = 1,161.6 points
USA v Poland Friendly October 2010 (USA 2-2 Poland)
M = 1 point for USA draw
I = 1.0 for Friendly Match
T = 131 for Strength of Opposing Team Poland (69)
C = 0.94 for Avg. Strength of Confederations (CONCACAF and UEFA)
P = 1 x 1 x 131 x 0.94 = 123.1 points
Four years are taken into account for current FIFA rankings. Matches older than 12 months are worth less points.
100% = Match average from the last 12 months (2010)
50% = Match average from the previous year (2009)
30% = Match average from year 3 (2008)
20% = Match average from year 4 (2007)
0% = Matches older than 4 years
The point totals listed on the FIFA rankings are the average points per game over the past 4 seasons added together (using the percentages listed above).
Here is a quick made up example of how it works using round numbers.
Year - Pts. - GP - PCT = Total
2007 - 8000 / 10 x 20% = 160.0
2008 - 5000 / 10 x 30% = 150.0
2009 - 9000 / 10 x 50% = 450.0
2010 - 6000 / 10 x 100% = 600.0
Total = 1360 (This is the number you see in FIFA rankings)
Points from a single match can range from 0 for a loss to about 2400 for a win over the top ranked team in a World Cup Final.
P = Total Points received in a match
M = Was the match won or drawn?
I = How important was the match? (ranging from friendly to WC)
T = How strong was the opposing team in FIFA ranking position?
C = How strong was the opposing Confederation?
P = M x I x T x C
M = Points for Match Result
W: 3 points
D: 1 points
L: 0 points
*In a penalty shootout the winner gets 2 points and the loser gets 1 point
I = Importance of Match
1.0 - Friendly Match
2.5 - FIFA World Cup qualifier or confederation-level qualifier
3.0 - Confederation-level final competition or Confederations Cup
4.0 - World Cup
T = Strength of Opposing Team
no. 1 = 200
no. 22 = 178
no. 50 = 150
no. 78 = 122
no. 100 = 100
no. 150 = 50
etc.
*Teams ranked 150th and below are assigned a minimum value of 50
C = Strength of Confederation
1.00 - UEFA and CONMEBOL
0.88 - CONCACAF
0.86 - CAF
0.85 - AFC and OFC
*based on the number of victories by confederation at the last 3 World Cups
Examples of recent USA games
USA v Algeria 2010 World Cup (USA 1-0 Algeria)
M = 3 points for USA win
I = 4.0 for World Cup match
T = 170 for Strength of Opposing team Algeria (30)
C = 0.87 for Avg. Strength of Confederations (CONCACAF and CAF)
P = 3 x 4 x 170 x 0.87 = 1,774.8 points
USA v Spain 2009 Confederations Cup (USA 2-0 Spain)
M = 3 points for USA win
I = 3.0 for Confederations Cup match
T = 200 for Strength of Opposing team Spain (1)
C = 0.94 for Avg. Strength of Confederations (CONCACAF and UEFA)
P = 3 x 3 x 200 x 0.94 = 1,692.0 points
USA v Mexico 2009 Home World Cup Qualifier (USA 2-0 Mexico)
M = 3 points for USA win
I = 2.5 for World Cup Qualifier
T = 176 for Strength of Opposing Team Mexico (24)
C = 0.88 for Strength of Confederation (CONCACAF)
P = 3 x 2.5 x 176 x 0.88 = 1,161.6 points
USA v Poland Friendly October 2010 (USA 2-2 Poland)
M = 1 point for USA draw
I = 1.0 for Friendly Match
T = 131 for Strength of Opposing Team Poland (69)
C = 0.94 for Avg. Strength of Confederations (CONCACAF and UEFA)
P = 1 x 1 x 131 x 0.94 = 123.1 points
Four years are taken into account for current FIFA rankings. Matches older than 12 months are worth less points.
100% = Match average from the last 12 months (2010)
50% = Match average from the previous year (2009)
30% = Match average from year 3 (2008)
20% = Match average from year 4 (2007)
0% = Matches older than 4 years
The point totals listed on the FIFA rankings are the average points per game over the past 4 seasons added together (using the percentages listed above).
Here is a quick made up example of how it works using round numbers.
Year - Pts. - GP - PCT = Total
2007 - 8000 / 10 x 20% = 160.0
2008 - 5000 / 10 x 30% = 150.0
2009 - 9000 / 10 x 50% = 450.0
2010 - 6000 / 10 x 100% = 600.0
Total = 1360 (This is the number you see in FIFA rankings)
Points from a single match can range from 0 for a loss to about 2400 for a win over the top ranked team in a World Cup Final.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Supporter Videos: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) and Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)
Al-Hilal - Saudi Arabia
Wydad Casablanca - Morocco
Wydad Casablanca - Morocco
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Foreign Players in Brazil and Argentina
The handful of players from outside of South America (by birth or national team affiliation) that are currently on Campeonato Brasileirão Serie A and Argentine Primera Division teams.
ARGENTINA
Italy
Mauro Camoranesi - Club Atlético Lanús
Mexico
Guillermo Franco - Velez Sarsfield
Spain
Mariano Pernía - Club Atlético Tigre
Iván Moreno y Fabianesi - Club Atlético Colón
BRAZIL
Angola
Geraldo - Coritiba
Portugal
Liédson - Corinthians
Deco - Fluminense
Qatar
Emerson - Fluminense
Serbia
Dejan Petkovic - Flamengo
ARGENTINA
Italy
Mauro Camoranesi - Club Atlético Lanús
Mexico
Guillermo Franco - Velez Sarsfield
Spain
Mariano Pernía - Club Atlético Tigre
Iván Moreno y Fabianesi - Club Atlético Colón
BRAZIL
Angola
Geraldo - Coritiba
Portugal
Liédson - Corinthians
Deco - Fluminense
Qatar
Emerson - Fluminense
Serbia
Dejan Petkovic - Flamengo
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Players from Lowest Ranked Euro Nations in Top 20 UEFA Leagues
Players from the 10 lowest ranked European nations (out of 53) playing in one of the top 20 European Leagues (according to the current UEFA league coefficient).
San Marino
Aldo Cimoncini - AC Cesena (Italy)
Andorra
Ildefons Lima - AC Bellinzona (Switzerland)
Malta
Luke Dimech - AEK Larnaca (Cyprus)
Liechtenstein
Martin Stocklasa - SV Ried (Austria)
Sandro Wieser - FC Basel 1893 (Switzerland)
Mario Frick - Grasshopper Club (Switzerland)
Faroe Islands
Christian Holst - Silkeborg IF (Denmark)
Kazakhstan
Aleksey Popov - Amkar Perm (Russia)
Luxembourg
NONE
Wales
England
Gareth Bale - Tottenham Hotspur
James Collins - Aston Villa
Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal
Ryan Giggs - Manchester United
Danny Collins - Stoke City
Jack Collison - West Ham United
Simon Davies - Fulham FC
Sam Ricketts - Bolton Wanderers
David Edwards - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wayne Hennessey - Wolverhampton Wanderers
David Vaughan - Blackpool FC
Boaz Myhill - West Bromwich Albion
Danny Gabbidon - West Ham United
Neal Eardley - Blackpool FC
Robbie Blake - Bolton Wanderers
Scotland
Joe Ledley - Celtic FC
Kyle Letheren - Kilmarnock FC
Scott Evans - Kilmarnock FC
David Stephens - Hibernian FC
Iceland
Denmark
Rúrik Gíslason - Odense BK
Sölvi Ottesen - FC Copenhagen
Eyjólfur Hédinsson - SönderjyskE
Ólafur Ingi Skúlason - SönderjyskE
Arnar Darri Petursson - SönderjyskE
Arnór Smárason - Esbjerg fB
Belgium
Bjarni Vidarsson - KV Mechelen
Alfred Finnbogason - KSC Lokeren
Arni Gautur Arason - Lierse SK
Arnar Vidarsson - Cercle Brugge
Netherlands
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson - AZ Alkmaar
Johann Berg Gudmundsson - AZ Alkmaar
Scotland
Eggert Gunnþór Jónsson - Heart of Midlothian FC
Victor Palsson - Hibernian FC
England
Gretar Steinsson - Bolton Wanderers
Eidur Gudjohnsen - Fulham FC
Germany
Gylfi Sigurdsson - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Azerbaijan
Mahir Shukurov - Anzhi Makhachkala (Russia)
Murad Megamadov - Maccabi Petah Tikva FC (Israel)
San Marino
Aldo Cimoncini - AC Cesena (Italy)
Andorra
Ildefons Lima - AC Bellinzona (Switzerland)
Malta
Luke Dimech - AEK Larnaca (Cyprus)
Liechtenstein
Martin Stocklasa - SV Ried (Austria)
Sandro Wieser - FC Basel 1893 (Switzerland)
Mario Frick - Grasshopper Club (Switzerland)
Faroe Islands
Christian Holst - Silkeborg IF (Denmark)
Kazakhstan
Aleksey Popov - Amkar Perm (Russia)
Luxembourg
NONE
Wales
England
Gareth Bale - Tottenham Hotspur
James Collins - Aston Villa
Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal
Ryan Giggs - Manchester United
Danny Collins - Stoke City
Jack Collison - West Ham United
Simon Davies - Fulham FC
Sam Ricketts - Bolton Wanderers
David Edwards - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wayne Hennessey - Wolverhampton Wanderers
David Vaughan - Blackpool FC
Boaz Myhill - West Bromwich Albion
Danny Gabbidon - West Ham United
Neal Eardley - Blackpool FC
Robbie Blake - Bolton Wanderers
Scotland
Joe Ledley - Celtic FC
Kyle Letheren - Kilmarnock FC
Scott Evans - Kilmarnock FC
David Stephens - Hibernian FC
Iceland
Denmark
Rúrik Gíslason - Odense BK
Sölvi Ottesen - FC Copenhagen
Eyjólfur Hédinsson - SönderjyskE
Ólafur Ingi Skúlason - SönderjyskE
Arnar Darri Petursson - SönderjyskE
Arnór Smárason - Esbjerg fB
Belgium
Bjarni Vidarsson - KV Mechelen
Alfred Finnbogason - KSC Lokeren
Arni Gautur Arason - Lierse SK
Arnar Vidarsson - Cercle Brugge
Netherlands
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson - AZ Alkmaar
Johann Berg Gudmundsson - AZ Alkmaar
Scotland
Eggert Gunnþór Jónsson - Heart of Midlothian FC
Victor Palsson - Hibernian FC
England
Gretar Steinsson - Bolton Wanderers
Eidur Gudjohnsen - Fulham FC
Germany
Gylfi Sigurdsson - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Azerbaijan
Mahir Shukurov - Anzhi Makhachkala (Russia)
Murad Megamadov - Maccabi Petah Tikva FC (Israel)
Monday, March 21, 2011
Pictures: Israeli Premier League Venues
A collection of stadiums from the Israeli Premier League.
Bloomfield Stadium - Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bnei Yehuda
Green Stadium - Hapoel Nazareth Illit
Kiryat Ileizer (Haifa) Stadium - Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Haifa
Kiryat Shmona (Ironi) Municipal Stadium - Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona
Ramat Gan Stadium - Hapoel Petah Tikva
Sala Stadium - Hapoel Ashkelon
Teddy Stadium - Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem
Vasermil Stadium - Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Maccabi Be'er Sheva
Winter Stadium - Hakoah Ramat Gan and Hapoel Ramat Gan
Yud-Alef Stadium - FC Ashdod
Bloomfield Stadium - Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bnei Yehuda
Green Stadium - Hapoel Nazareth Illit
Kiryat Ileizer (Haifa) Stadium - Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Haifa
Kiryat Shmona (Ironi) Municipal Stadium - Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona
Ramat Gan Stadium - Hapoel Petah Tikva
Sala Stadium - Hapoel Ashkelon
Teddy Stadium - Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem
Vasermil Stadium - Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Maccabi Be'er Sheva
Winter Stadium - Hakoah Ramat Gan and Hapoel Ramat Gan
Yud-Alef Stadium - FC Ashdod
Friday, March 18, 2011
Videos: Special Move Slide Tackles
The Drop Kick
Sweep the Leg Johnny
The Never Ending Electric Slide
The Double Tackle
The Referee Takedown
The Manhood Ender
The Stone Wall Tackle
The Artistic Slide
The Medic
Ladies and Gentleman, Steve Cherundolo!
Sweep the Leg Johnny
The Never Ending Electric Slide
The Double Tackle
The Referee Takedown
The Manhood Ender
The Stone Wall Tackle
The Artistic Slide
The Medic
Ladies and Gentleman, Steve Cherundolo!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Côte d'Ivoire Club Logos
A selection of club logos/badges from the Côte d'Ivoire Premier Division.
Africa Sports National - Abidjan
Denguelé Sports d'Odienné - Odienné
ASEC Mimosas - Abidjan
Academie de Foot Amadou Diallo - Djékanou
Issia Wazi - Issia
Jeunesse Club d'Abidjan - Abidjan
Séwé Sports de San Pedro - San Pédro
Société Omnisports de l'Armée - Yamoussoukro
Stade d'Abidjan - Abidjan
Stella Club d'Adjamé - Abidjan
Africa Sports National - Abidjan
Denguelé Sports d'Odienné - Odienné
ASEC Mimosas - Abidjan
Academie de Foot Amadou Diallo - Djékanou
Issia Wazi - Issia
Jeunesse Club d'Abidjan - Abidjan
Séwé Sports de San Pedro - San Pédro
Société Omnisports de l'Armée - Yamoussoukro
Stade d'Abidjan - Abidjan
Stella Club d'Adjamé - Abidjan
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
MLS Unique Internationals (March 2011)
Nations represented by a single player in Major League Soccer.
Bosnia-Herzegovnia - Baggio Husidic (Chicago Fire)
Chile - Sebastian Miranda (Colombus Crew)
China - Long Tan (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Cuba - Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders)
Ecuador - Víctor Estupiñán (Chivas USA)
El Salvador - Arturo Alvarez (Real Salt Lake)
Estonia - Joel Lindpere (New York Red Bulls)
Finland - Teemu Tainio (New York Red Bulls)
Georgia - Giorgi Chirgadze (New York Red Bulls)
Guadeloupe - Stephane Auvray (Sporting Kansas City)
Israel - Orr Barouch (Chicago Fire)
Japan - Kosuke Kimura (Colorado Rapids)
Liberia - Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers)
Montenegro - Branko Boskovic (DC United)
Morocco - Mehdi Ballouchy (New York Red Bulls)
Netherlands Antilles - Javier Martina (Toronto FC)
Norway - Jan Gunnar Solli (New York Red Bulls)
Peru - Andres Mendoza (Columbus Crew)
Poland - Konrad Warzycha (Sporting Kansas City)
Sierra Leone - Kei Kamara (Sporting Kansas City)
South Africa - Danleigh Borman (New York Red Bulls)
St. Kitts & Nevis - Atiba Harris (Vancouver Whitecaps)
St. Vincent & Grenadines - Cornelius Stewart (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Sweden - Erik Friberg (Seattle Sounders)
Tanzania - Nizar Khalfan (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Uganda - Brian Umony (Portland Timbers)
Wales - Carl Robinson (New York Red Bulls)
*MLS rosters have been changing almost daily so if any of these players are out of date or I'm missing anyone let me know and I'll update the list. List is as of March 14th.
Bosnia-Herzegovnia - Baggio Husidic (Chicago Fire)
Chile - Sebastian Miranda (Colombus Crew)
China - Long Tan (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Cuba - Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders)
Ecuador - Víctor Estupiñán (Chivas USA)
El Salvador - Arturo Alvarez (Real Salt Lake)
Estonia - Joel Lindpere (New York Red Bulls)
Finland - Teemu Tainio (New York Red Bulls)
Georgia - Giorgi Chirgadze (New York Red Bulls)
Guadeloupe - Stephane Auvray (Sporting Kansas City)
Israel - Orr Barouch (Chicago Fire)
Japan - Kosuke Kimura (Colorado Rapids)
Liberia - Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers)
Montenegro - Branko Boskovic (DC United)
Morocco - Mehdi Ballouchy (New York Red Bulls)
Netherlands Antilles - Javier Martina (Toronto FC)
Norway - Jan Gunnar Solli (New York Red Bulls)
Peru - Andres Mendoza (Columbus Crew)
Poland - Konrad Warzycha (Sporting Kansas City)
Sierra Leone - Kei Kamara (Sporting Kansas City)
South Africa - Danleigh Borman (New York Red Bulls)
St. Kitts & Nevis - Atiba Harris (Vancouver Whitecaps)
St. Vincent & Grenadines - Cornelius Stewart (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Sweden - Erik Friberg (Seattle Sounders)
Tanzania - Nizar Khalfan (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Uganda - Brian Umony (Portland Timbers)
Wales - Carl Robinson (New York Red Bulls)
*MLS rosters have been changing almost daily so if any of these players are out of date or I'm missing anyone let me know and I'll update the list. List is as of March 14th.
Monday, March 14, 2011
EPL Unique Internationals (March 2011)
Nations that are currently represented by a single player in the English Premier League.
Austria - Paul Scharner (West Bromwich Albion)
Barbados - Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
Benin - Stéphane Sessègnon (Sunderland)
Canada - David Hoilett (Blackburn Rovers)
Colombia - Hugo Rodallega (Wigan Athletic)
Ecuador - Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
Egypt - Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland)
Greece - Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Liverpool)
Grenada - Jason Roberts (Blackburn Rovers)
Jamaica - Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City)
Mali - Mamady Sidibé (Stoke City)
Oman - Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
Romania - Gabriel Tamaş (West Bromwich Albion)
Slovenia - Haris Vučkić (Newcastle United)
Togo - Moustapha Salifou (Aston Villa)
Uruguay - Luis Suárez (Liverpool)
Zimbabwe - Benjani (Blackburn Rovers)
Austria - Paul Scharner (West Bromwich Albion)
Barbados - Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
Benin - Stéphane Sessègnon (Sunderland)
Canada - David Hoilett (Blackburn Rovers)
Colombia - Hugo Rodallega (Wigan Athletic)
Ecuador - Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
Egypt - Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland)
Greece - Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Liverpool)
Grenada - Jason Roberts (Blackburn Rovers)
Jamaica - Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City)
Mali - Mamady Sidibé (Stoke City)
Oman - Ali Al-Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
Romania - Gabriel Tamaş (West Bromwich Albion)
Slovenia - Haris Vučkić (Newcastle United)
Togo - Moustapha Salifou (Aston Villa)
Uruguay - Luis Suárez (Liverpool)
Zimbabwe - Benjani (Blackburn Rovers)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Top Ranked Euro Clubs Outside the Top 5 Leagues (March 2011)
Clubs in the top 100 of the Euro Club Index - excluding teams from the top leagues of England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. (from the March 07, 2011 rankings)
| Rank | Club | League |
| 6 | FC Porto | Portugal |
| 10 | Shakhtar Donetsk | Ukraine |
| 15 | Benfica | Portugal |
| 18 | Zenit St. Petersburg | Russia |
| 22 | PSV | Netherlands |
| 24 | CSKA Moscow | Russia |
| 25 | Ajax | Netherlands |
| 28 | FC Twente | Netherlands |
| 30 | Dynamo Kiev | Ukraine |
| 33 | Rubin Kazan | Russia |
| 36 | Olympiacos | Greece |
| 39 | Spartak Moscow | Russia |
| 44 | FC Copenhagen | Denmark |
| 46 | FC Basel | Switzerland |
| 48 | Anderlecht | Belgium |
| 49 | Hapoel Tel Aviv | Israel |
| 50 | Sporting CP | Portugal |
| 51 | Fenerbahce | Turkey |
| 52 | Panathinaikos | Greece |
| 55 | Sporting Braga | Portugal |
| 59 | Maccabi Haifa | Israel |
| 60 | Sparta Praga | Czech Republic |
| 62 | Celtic | Scotland |
| 63 | Metalist Kharkiv | Ukraine |
| 64 | Rangers | Scotland |
| 66 | BSC Young Boys | Switzerland |
| 71 | Lokomotiv Moscow | Russia |
| 72 | Trabzonspor | Turkey |
| 73 | AZ Alkmaar | Netherlands |
| 80 | Besiktas | Turkey |
| 91 | Partizan Belgrade | Serbia |
| 92 | Rosenborg BK | Norway |
| 93 | APOEL Nicosia | Cyprus |
| 94 | Dinamo Moscow | Russia |
| 97 | FC Zurich | Switzerland |
| 99 | Racing Genk | Belgium |
| 100 | AA Gent | Belgium |
Thursday, March 10, 2011
FIFA Confederation Ranking Comparison - March 2011
Comparing FIFA Confederations using the average ranking of the top 5 teams from each region.
4.0 - UEFA
1 - Spain
2 - Netherlands
3 - Germany
6 - England
8 - Croatia
10.8 - SOUTH AMERICA
4 - Argentina
5 - Brazil
7 - Uruguay
14 - Chile
24 - Paraguay
31.0 - AFRICA
16 - Ghana
25 - Cote d'Ivoire
35 - Egypt
39 - Nigeria
40 - Burkina Faso
36.8 - ASIA
15 - Japan
21 - Australia
29 - Korea Republic
43 - Iran
76 - China
37.0 - CONCACAF
19 - USA
27 - Mexico
38 - Honduras
48 - Jamaica
53 - Costa Rica
140.4 - OCEANIA
56 - New Zealand
152 - Fiji
153 - New Caldeonia
163 - Vanuatu
178 - Solomon Islands
4.0 - UEFA
1 - Spain
2 - Netherlands
3 - Germany
6 - England
8 - Croatia
10.8 - SOUTH AMERICA
4 - Argentina
5 - Brazil
7 - Uruguay
14 - Chile
24 - Paraguay
31.0 - AFRICA
16 - Ghana
25 - Cote d'Ivoire
35 - Egypt
39 - Nigeria
40 - Burkina Faso
36.8 - ASIA
15 - Japan
21 - Australia
29 - Korea Republic
43 - Iran
76 - China
37.0 - CONCACAF
19 - USA
27 - Mexico
38 - Honduras
48 - Jamaica
53 - Costa Rica
140.4 - OCEANIA
56 - New Zealand
152 - Fiji
153 - New Caldeonia
163 - Vanuatu
178 - Solomon Islands
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Croatian Players in Top 10 UEFA Leagues
A list of Croats playing in the top 10 UEFA leagues (according to the current UEFA league coefficient rankings)
Germany
Mladen Petrić - Hamburger SV
Ivica Olić - Bayern Munich
Danijel Pranjić - Bayern Munich
Mario Mandžukić - VfL Wolfsburg
Srđan Lakić - 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Ivo Iličević - 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Stiven Rivić - 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Josip Šimunić - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Domagoj Vida - Bayer Leverkusen
Mato Jajalo - 1.FC Cologne
Miro Varvodić - 1.FC Cologne
Zvonko Pamić - SC Freiburg
Petar Slišković - 1.FSV Mainz 05
Turkey
Hrvoje Čale - Trabzonspor
Drago Gabrić - MKE Ankaragücü
Anthony Šerić - Karabükspor
Vjekoslav Tomić - Karabükspor
Vanja Iveša - Eskişehirspor
Jerko Leko - Bucaspor
Stjepan Tomas - Bucaspor
Ante Kulušić - Gençlerbirliği
Ukraine
Darijo Srna - Shakhtar Donetsk
Eduardo - Shakhtar Donetsk
Ognjen Vukojević - Dynamo Kyiv
Ivan Strinić - Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
Mladen Bartulović - Kryvbass Kryvyi Rig
Saša Đuričić - Tavria Simferopol
Ivan Graf - Tavria Simferopol
England
Luka Modrić - Tottenham Hotspur
Vedran Ćorluka - Tottenham Hotspur
Niko Kranjčar - Tottenham Hotspur
Stipe Pletikosa - Tottenham Hotspur
Nikola Kalinić - Blackburn Rovers
Ivan Klasnić - Bolton Wanderers
Portugal
Dejan Školnik - CD Nacional
Darko Bodul - CD Nacional
Kristijan Pavlović - CD Nacional
Danijel Stojanović - CD Nacional
Netherlands
Matej Delač - Vitesse Arnheim
Joey Didulica - AZ Alkmaar
Dario Vujičević - VVV-Venlo
France
Dejan Lovren - Olympique Lyon
Vedran Runje - RC Lens
Italy
Igor Budan - AC Cesena
Vedran Celjak - Sampdoria
Russia
Tomislav Dujmović - Dynamo Moscow
Josip Knežević - Amkar Perm
Spain
Ivan Rakitić - FC Sevilla
Mate Bilić - Sporting Gijón
Germany
Mladen Petrić - Hamburger SV
Ivica Olić - Bayern Munich
Danijel Pranjić - Bayern Munich
Mario Mandžukić - VfL Wolfsburg
Srđan Lakić - 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Ivo Iličević - 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Stiven Rivić - 1.FC Kaiserslautern
Josip Šimunić - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Domagoj Vida - Bayer Leverkusen
Mato Jajalo - 1.FC Cologne
Miro Varvodić - 1.FC Cologne
Zvonko Pamić - SC Freiburg
Petar Slišković - 1.FSV Mainz 05
Turkey
Hrvoje Čale - Trabzonspor
Drago Gabrić - MKE Ankaragücü
Anthony Šerić - Karabükspor
Vjekoslav Tomić - Karabükspor
Vanja Iveša - Eskişehirspor
Jerko Leko - Bucaspor
Stjepan Tomas - Bucaspor
Ante Kulušić - Gençlerbirliği
Ukraine
Darijo Srna - Shakhtar Donetsk
Eduardo - Shakhtar Donetsk
Ognjen Vukojević - Dynamo Kyiv
Ivan Strinić - Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
Mladen Bartulović - Kryvbass Kryvyi Rig
Saša Đuričić - Tavria Simferopol
Ivan Graf - Tavria Simferopol
England
Luka Modrić - Tottenham Hotspur
Vedran Ćorluka - Tottenham Hotspur
Niko Kranjčar - Tottenham Hotspur
Stipe Pletikosa - Tottenham Hotspur
Nikola Kalinić - Blackburn Rovers
Ivan Klasnić - Bolton Wanderers
Portugal
Dejan Školnik - CD Nacional
Darko Bodul - CD Nacional
Kristijan Pavlović - CD Nacional
Danijel Stojanović - CD Nacional
Netherlands
Matej Delač - Vitesse Arnheim
Joey Didulica - AZ Alkmaar
Dario Vujičević - VVV-Venlo
France
Dejan Lovren - Olympique Lyon
Vedran Runje - RC Lens
Italy
Igor Budan - AC Cesena
Vedran Celjak - Sampdoria
Russia
Tomislav Dujmović - Dynamo Moscow
Josip Knežević - Amkar Perm
Spain
Ivan Rakitić - FC Sevilla
Mate Bilić - Sporting Gijón
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Transfers: Europe to MLS
Current MLS players who were transferred or loaned to the league directly from a club in Europe. (As of March 05, 2011)
CHICAGO FIRE
Croatia
Josip Mikulic (NK Zagreb)
Cyprus
Gonzalo Segares (Apollon Limassol)
Serbia
Bratislav Ristić (FK Rad Belgrade)
CHIVAS USA
NONE
COLORADO RAPIDS
England
Ian Joyce (Southend United)
Matt Pickens (QPR)
Scotland
Jamie Smith (Aberdeen)
COLUMBUS CREW
Belgium
Leandre Griffit (U.R.S. du Centre)
Netherlands
Robbie Rogers (SC Heerenveen)
Turkey
Andres Mendoza (Diyarbakirspor)
DC UNITED
Austria
Branko Bošković (Rapid Vienna)
France
Charlie Davies (Sochaux)
Serbia
Dejan Jakovic (Red Star Belgrade)
FC DALLAS
NONE
HOUSTON DYNAMO
Czech Republic
Andrew Hainault (FK SIAD Most)
Denmark
Tally Hall (Esbjerg)
Norway
Hunter Freeman (IK Start)
SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Denmark
Jimmy Nielsen (Vejle)
England
Craig Rocastle (Forest Green Rovers)
Ryan Smith (Crystal Palace)
France
Stephane Auvray (Nimes Olympique)
Moldova
Birahim Diop (CS Tiligul-Tiras Tiraspol)
LOS ANGELES GALAXY
England
Chris Birchall (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Germany
Gregg Berhalter (TSV 1860 Munich)
Spain
David Beckham (Real Madrid)
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Greece
Didier Domi (Olympiakos)
Italy
Ousmane Dabo (Lazio)
Montenegro
Ilija Stolica (FC Budocnost)
Switzerland
Marko Perovic (FC Basel)
NEW YORK RED BULLS
Denmark
Salou Ibrahim (Vejle)
England
Luke Rodgers (Notts County)
John Rooney (Macclesfield Town)
Norway
Joel Lindpere (Tromso)
Jan Solli (SK Brann)
Roy Miller (Rosenborg)
Spain
Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona)
Rafa Marquez (FC Barcelona)
PHILADELPHIA UNION
Denmark
Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland)
PORTLAND TIMBERS
Germany
Kenny Cooper (TSV 1860 Munich)
Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)
REAL SALT LAKE
Denmark
Robbie Russell (Viborg)
Netherlands
Will Johnson (De Graafschap)
Norway
Nat Borchers (Odd Grenland)
Spain
Javier Morales (UD Vecindario)
Switzerland
Alvaro Saborio (FC Sion)
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
England
Bobby Convey (Reading FC)
Israel
Scott Sealy (Bnei Sakhnin)
Norway
Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann)
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
England
Kasey Keller (Fulham)
Netherlands
Blaise Nkufo (FC Twente)
Sweden
Ryan Johnson (Osters IF)
TORONTO FC
Denmark
Adrian Cann (Esberg)
Netherlands
Nick Soolsma (Ajax)
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
England
Jay DeMerit (Watford)
Switzerland
Eric Hassli (FC Zurich)
Alain Rochat (FC Zurich)
CHICAGO FIRE
Croatia
Josip Mikulic (NK Zagreb)
Cyprus
Gonzalo Segares (Apollon Limassol)
Serbia
Bratislav Ristić (FK Rad Belgrade)
CHIVAS USA
NONE
COLORADO RAPIDS
England
Ian Joyce (Southend United)
Matt Pickens (QPR)
Scotland
Jamie Smith (Aberdeen)
COLUMBUS CREW
Belgium
Leandre Griffit (U.R.S. du Centre)
Netherlands
Robbie Rogers (SC Heerenveen)
Turkey
Andres Mendoza (Diyarbakirspor)
DC UNITED
Austria
Branko Bošković (Rapid Vienna)
France
Charlie Davies (Sochaux)
Serbia
Dejan Jakovic (Red Star Belgrade)
FC DALLAS
NONE
HOUSTON DYNAMO
Czech Republic
Andrew Hainault (FK SIAD Most)
Denmark
Tally Hall (Esbjerg)
Norway
Hunter Freeman (IK Start)
SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Denmark
Jimmy Nielsen (Vejle)
England
Craig Rocastle (Forest Green Rovers)
Ryan Smith (Crystal Palace)
France
Stephane Auvray (Nimes Olympique)
Moldova
Birahim Diop (CS Tiligul-Tiras Tiraspol)
LOS ANGELES GALAXY
England
Chris Birchall (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Germany
Gregg Berhalter (TSV 1860 Munich)
Spain
David Beckham (Real Madrid)
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Greece
Didier Domi (Olympiakos)
Italy
Ousmane Dabo (Lazio)
Montenegro
Ilija Stolica (FC Budocnost)
Switzerland
Marko Perovic (FC Basel)
NEW YORK RED BULLS
Denmark
Salou Ibrahim (Vejle)
England
Luke Rodgers (Notts County)
John Rooney (Macclesfield Town)
Norway
Joel Lindpere (Tromso)
Jan Solli (SK Brann)
Roy Miller (Rosenborg)
Spain
Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona)
Rafa Marquez (FC Barcelona)
PHILADELPHIA UNION
Denmark
Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland)
PORTLAND TIMBERS
Germany
Kenny Cooper (TSV 1860 Munich)
Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)
REAL SALT LAKE
Denmark
Robbie Russell (Viborg)
Netherlands
Will Johnson (De Graafschap)
Norway
Nat Borchers (Odd Grenland)
Spain
Javier Morales (UD Vecindario)
Switzerland
Alvaro Saborio (FC Sion)
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
England
Bobby Convey (Reading FC)
Israel
Scott Sealy (Bnei Sakhnin)
Norway
Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann)
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
England
Kasey Keller (Fulham)
Netherlands
Blaise Nkufo (FC Twente)
Sweden
Ryan Johnson (Osters IF)
TORONTO FC
Denmark
Adrian Cann (Esberg)
Netherlands
Nick Soolsma (Ajax)
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
England
Jay DeMerit (Watford)
Switzerland
Eric Hassli (FC Zurich)
Alain Rochat (FC Zurich)
Monday, March 7, 2011
Map: Premier League Referee Hometowns
A map and list of the hometowns that England's current top-flight refs are based in.
View EPL Referee Hometowns in a larger map
Martin Atkinson
Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
Stuart Attwell
Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England
Mark Clattenburg
Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
Mike Dean
Wirral, Cheshire, England
Phil Dowd
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England
Chris Foy
St. Helens, Lancashire, England
Kevin Friend
Leicestershire, England
Mark Halsey and Lee Mason
Bolton, Lancashire, England
Mike Jones
Chester, Cheshire, England
Andre Marriner
Sheldon, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
Michael Oliver
Ashington, Northumberland, England
Lee Probert
Wiltshire, England
Anthony Taylor
Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, England
Peter Walton
Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, England
Howard Webb
Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England
View EPL Referee Hometowns in a larger map
Martin Atkinson
Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
Stuart Attwell
Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England
Mark Clattenburg
Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
Mike Dean
Wirral, Cheshire, England
Phil Dowd
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England
Chris Foy
St. Helens, Lancashire, England
Kevin Friend
Leicestershire, England
Mark Halsey and Lee Mason
Bolton, Lancashire, England
Mike Jones
Chester, Cheshire, England
Andre Marriner
Sheldon, Birmingham, West Midlands, England
Michael Oliver
Ashington, Northumberland, England
Lee Probert
Wiltshire, England
Anthony Taylor
Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, England
Peter Walton
Long Buckby, Northamptonshire, England
Howard Webb
Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England
Friday, March 4, 2011
Sorry for the Unexpected Downtime
I apologize for the extended period that The Best Eleven was unavailable. There was a mistake made by Google in the domain renewal process and I have been involved in an extremely frustrating and slow back and forth conversation with them for nearly 2 weeks to get back online.
I appreciate your patience and expect that The Best Eleven will be back to normal posting starting on Monday.
Thanks for reading!
Steve
I appreciate your patience and expect that The Best Eleven will be back to normal posting starting on Monday.
Thanks for reading!
Steve
Hong Kong Club Logos
Club Logos from the Hong Kong First Division League
Tuen Mun
TSW Pegasus
NT Realty Wofoo Tai Po
Tai Chung
Sun Hei SC
Kitchee
Fourway Rangers
Citizen
South China AA
Hong Kong FC
Tuen Mun
TSW Pegasus
NT Realty Wofoo Tai Po
Tai Chung
Sun Hei SC
Kitchee
Fourway Rangers
Citizen
South China AA
Hong Kong FC
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