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United States 3 - 1 HONDURAS

Gold Cup'13 Semi-Final @ Cowboys Stadium

The United States advance to the CONCACAF Final that will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Eddie Johnson's give-and-go goal with Donovan on the first is unfortunately not seen in this highlight, but it's ridiculous. Oh and no feat I've got it here. 

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Soccer In Hawaii x Paradise Soccer Club

  When I saw the post on The Original Winger featuring Hawaii's own Paradise Soccer Club, my heart raced. Soccer in a Hawaii is such a novel concept and to see it featured on, for my money, one of the leading soccer lifestyle blogs in the U.S. sparks a grin. As a resident, I have been in the trenches, learning first hand how soccer in Hawaii is seemingly forgotten amongst the sport's that have given locals fame and notoriety. Shane Victorino, and a host of NFL player's of Hawaiian descent have brought Football and Baseball to the fore as the leading sports loved by Hawaiian's. 

Don't forget Brian Ching. Born in Hawaii, the U.S. international and mainstay of the MLS represents the islands' as the marker for Hawaii's contribution to soccer in North America. 

I have always said that in order to increase soccer's popularity you have to not only bring the sport, but the culture of the sport. Soccer is as much a lifestyle, as it is a game, and Paradise Soccer Club has brought it. They have brought it in a well-packaged form, beautifully designed crest, fantastic storefront, and an ever-growing following. They are going about growing the sport in Hawaii the correct way, providing culture.

If you stroll down to Kapiolani Park on a midweek day, just as Diamond Head starts to blotch out the sun, and the Waikiki high-rises glow orange you will find a group of 20 individuals who crave that culture. Every Tuesday through Thursday they will be out, boots laced, smearing that red Hawaiian earth all over they Predators, and Vapor's, trying to avoided the rough patches of grass, and a rolled ankle. 

Soccer is loved in Hawaii; all that has been missing is a platform. Paradise Soccer Club has provided such a platform. So if you're on the islands and craving some soccer culture make sure you pop in and say Aloha.

For more visit Paradise Soccer 

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The Art Of Futsal @ Honolulu Night Market. Head over Paradise Soccer Club

for more info, and videos.

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Jovetic Jumps Ship To City

Just this morning I reported on Manchester City's acquisition of Alvaro Negredo, and a mere six hours removed I introduce to you their newest (said lightly) signing, Stevan Jovetic from Fiorentina.

Jovetic will play in the reserved striker role behind Dzeko and Negredo. The Montenegro international has scored 10 goals in his 27 international appearances.  He can score, he can create, and can bulldoze over sides, especially Liverpool.

So let's asses City's attacking options.

Who have they lost? Mario Balotelli-Milan, and Carlos Tevez- Juventus

Who have they got? Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri, James Milner, David Silva.

Who'd they get? Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic.

Damn good business I'd say.

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City Nabs Negredo

No matter what your opinion is about the current climate of football finances, I cannot help but get excited when deep-pocketed clubs bring the Negredo's of the sport to your favorite League. Courtesy of MCFC.com

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Liver n' Onions x A Battle Of LFC Warrior Kits: 2012-13 vs. 2013-14

When it was announced that Warrior was going to be Liverpool's kit manufacturer I had my doubts. Doubt's, because they were making their debut into making football kit's, but excited because anything was possible. Now that we have had a year plus to digest I feel it's my duty to compare LFC's Warrior kits, home, away, and third.

Home Kit

2012-13                                                                               2013-14

I am delighted that Warrior has followed in last years vein designing the LFC home kit the way it has always been designed, Simple, Regal, and Red. The two home kits are very similar except for some minor details added to the 2013-14 version. The beauty is in the details, as white trim has been added to the collar and sleeves. What you cannot see in this picture is that Liverpool FC is written into the stripes running vertically up and down the kit, a simple nuance that shows a lot of quality in the manufacturing. All told I still find myself drawn to the 2012-13 kit simply for the fact it has a collar.

Rating:    2012-13 = 10/10                                        2013-14 = 9/10

Away Kit

    2012-13                                                                           2013-14

When you move beyond LFC's home kit it starts to get a bit nutty. Liverpool's new away kit is just downright ugly. I doubt even Bill Cosby would wear this jersey, as it's strikingly akin to his many ugly sweaters donned by the man on his show. When I covered this kit on it's release date last month I quoted LFC.com who said the design inspiration was to marry modern and retro designs, unfortunante.

I am actually quite fond of last years away kit. It does look like Gerrard is about to paddle out to a surf line-up, but I always like when Liverpool has a black kit up in the mix.  Both make you wonder what the creative at Warrior were thinking when these designs get the nod, but dealing with the reality of next season I look the that away kit, wInce, and wish for last years.

Rating:      2012-13 = 6/10                                 2013-14 = 4/10

Third Kit

    2012-13                                                                           2013-14       

A team's third kit is like your wild card. It's not used very often, but always has the most creative of designs. This notion holds true for last years third kit, when a purple, orange, white sleeved kit emerged a Liverpool's third. A hideous kit that featured a spiral, barbed-wired type design on the sleeves like a tattoo a douchey body-builder would have. 

Warrior have brought back the purple for the 2013-14 third kit which rivals the away kit for the worst I've seen since the 90's. The one saving grace is the striped socks (not pictured) which always add a nice touch, but this kit needs more than nice socks to save its' graces. Let's just say that hopes are Liverpool won't need to pull this guy out too often.

Rating:    2012-13 = 3/10                                       2013-14 = 4/10

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Do I Wanna Know ( Video) - Arctic Monkeys

Official Video For "Do I Wanna Know?" On Arctic Monkeys newest Album AM, out on September 9, 2013.

More Info.

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Arctic Monkeys Announce American Tour And New Album - AM

It's finally happened. The Arctic Monkeys have announced their follow up album to 2011's Suck It And See entitled AM, due to be released September 9th. It's been a couple years which seems somewhat of an eternity when you constantly check to see updates on the next thing, but it has finally has come and I couldn't be happier. Video for Do I Wanna Know? after the jump.

According to pitchforck.com, AM will feature come collaborations with Queens of the Stone Age front man Josh Homme, as well as Elvis Costello's drummer Pete Thomas.

Here's the Track List:

AM:

01 Do I Wanna Know? 02 R U Mine? 03 One for the Road 04 Arabella 05 I Want It All 06 No. 1 Party Anthem 07 Mad Sounds 08 Fireside 09 Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High? 10 Snap Out Of It 11 Knee Socks 12 I Wanna Be Yours

 Official Artwork for Single, "Do I Wanna Know?" 

Official Video for "Do I Wanna Know?"

The Arctic Monkeys 2011 release was on first listen a bit soft, really running with that light summery feel, but still packing a punch with tracks like "All My Own Stunts", and " Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair." AM will boast a heavier feel to it, in the same vein as last springs' single, "R U Mine?"

"The way 'R U Mine?' has gone we are more into doing songs like that for now. We are kind of into the idea of doing a record that is like 'Evil Twin' and 'R U Mine?'.- Drummer Matt Helders; Examiner 

The prospect is extremely exciting, and judging buy their newest single the album promises much. Here are the tour dates and venues for their upcoming US Tour:

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LFC Picks Up A Belgien Keeper

What's Belgium known for? Chocolates, Waffels, Beer, and now Footballers. The footballer that keeps the goals out for his national side, Simon Mignolet has just joined Liverpool Football Club from Sunderland.

With rumors swirling about the departure of current stopper Pepe Reina, Brendan Rodgers has acted, and acted fast. 

"I am delighted that we have been able to sign one of the top goalkeepers in the Barclays Premier League," LFC Manager Brendan Rodgers.

Mignolet is regarded as one of the best young stoppers in the EPL at age  24, he can only get better like a fine trippel-that's a joke. Also Liverpool fans can look forward to seeing the crooked-ist nose in the league.

According to LFC.com Mignolet has played 90 games in the Premier League during the past three seasons, keeping a total of 30 clean sheets in the process. In 2012-13 the 'keeper made an average of 6.16 saves per match, with 53 per cent of those caught. He has saved four out of 16 penalties including one from Luis Suarez.

For me I would be sad to see Reina go, as he has been one of the best keepers in the League consistently. That said it seems like he has gotten a bit burnt out recently up in Merseyside. If he does leave Liverpool have got themselves a great keeper in Mignolet to step up.

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Radio K x Minnesota United FC

Mad props to University of Minnesota's college radio station Radio K for giving Minnesota United FC some air attention. Speaking with MNUFC's President Nick Rodgers, and the Nomad Pub's owner, Todd Smith, this little ditty gives great insight into Minnesota's only professional soccer team. 

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Liver n' Onions: Everything You Need To Know About LFC's 2 Newest Signings

As we wind down the days' of June it would be false to say that Liverpool haven't been an ever-present in this summer's transfer window so far. First securing the services of Kolo Toure last month, and just this weekend wrangling themselves up a couple Spaniards. Two players who are respectively pretty unknown to the general footballing masses have slide on in and upon researching their achievements for this story, I have been left impressed.

Not to say I haven't gone there...a cynic might wonder why Liverpool have picked up two players that recently as last season were plying their trade in Spain's second division, as well as struggling on a nearly relegated team that finished seventeenth. One for Barcelona B, and the other Celta Vigo. The answer my friends relies in these following paragraphs, so without further adieu I give you...

Iago Aspas

LFC.com boasted a chart that chronicled shot accuracy in the Barclay's Premier League last season, and on this chart Aspas placed 2nd. That's right if the 25 year old Spaniard played in the EPL he'd be the second most accurate shot-taker behind Romelu Lukaka, and ahead of Demba Ba. As for next season this figurative stat, will be what you call the real thing.

"Having weighed up all my options for this window, a massive club like Liverpool was always my first choice." -Iago Aspas, LFC.com

He was voted the best striker, and top Spanish forward in the the Spanish Second Division for the 2011-12 season. 

Aspas resembles a Santi Cazorla in his ability to play between the lines of an opposing teams' defense and midfield, but to add has the ability to drift in behind central defenders and finish like a Chicharito Hernandez .

Last season he netted 12 goals in 34 games throughout the 2012-13 campaign for his struggling side of Celta Vigo.

Luis Alberto 

When the name Barcelona is thrown around connotations of greatness are seemingly sure to follow, even if those connotations connote Barcelona B. Barca B was the place Luis Alberto made his name, playing for them on loan from Sevilla last season as a attacker who netted 11 goals with 17 assists. 

A so called hybrid striker Luis is adaptable to playing anywhere near the front, out on the wing, behind the striker, and in the midfield alla Philippe Coutinho. It's easy to concede that this is a very archetypal Brendan Rodgers signing, great technical ability, adaptable in many roles in the attacking sense, as well as young-Alberto is 20. Rodgers seems confidant thats Luis will, even at his tender age, become a mainstay in the XI, suggestive of his willingness to spend 7 Million Euro's on the Spaniard. As of this point in the summer the signing of Luis promises the most out of the other business done this transfer window purely for footballing promise.

Luis Alberto was born Luis Alberto Romero Alconchel and learned his trade at the Andalusian club of Sevilla FC, breaking into the first team in the 2011 season.

Last season Luis was loaned to Barcelona B where he racked up 26 caps and finished second top scorer in the squad. When his loan ended Barcelona had the option to buy, but opted not to, even with the outcry from fans to do the adverse. It's no secret that Barcelona are a bit "top"-heavy, and good news to Liverpool FC that they didn't buy.

These players are both young and somewhat unproven. That said Liverpool fans will be expecting a lot of them, especially if Suarez is to depart for Madrid. If Suarez does depart expect Rodgers to spend, and spend big on a proven striker to accompany the likes of Sturridge up top. Liverpool fans will appreciate having some attacking depth....Ah that's refreshing... The day's of a single striker- Torres 2010-11 and Suares, part of 2011 and 2012 are over.

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A Few Thoughts On The Confederations Cup

  Pause... Ahh that moment before the inevitable conjecture. Since your not presently with me you can just imagine it. I'm late to the party, half a week into the Confederations Cup and now I can conjure up some content. I'm being hard on myself with the Cup having just kicked off in Brazil on Saturday, and already we've see some serious entertainment.

Highlights so far, Italy's 2-1 win against Mexico. Not because Mexico was defeated ( USA, USA! ), or that the better team won on the day, but Mario Balotelli was the man who drove the nail into the Mexican's coffin. It's always a pleasure to see Super Mario shove his demons back in the hole and play some football- Oh'and how.

Ok this is a gimmie, but Brasil won their opener against Japan. A long time admirer of the Japanese team, especially that Keisuke Honda. I was bummed that they didn't put up much of a fight, but perhaps it was fitting.

On a side note I really hope the aforementioned Honda uses this competition as a springboard for a summer Transfer, perhaps England perhaps...

For my last little quip It can be none other that Tahiti netting 1 goal against the African champs Nigeria. Every time they conjured a shot, fans treated it as if they had scored, now could you say you've seen that in any another sport other than football? Don't believe you have..., and that's why it's the best sport in the world.

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Manchester City Announce Manuel Pellegrini As Manager

I don't know about you... but there's something rewarding about a rumor coming true. Since the sacking of previous manager Roberto Mancini you would have expected the rumor mill to have spun wildly over the question of who would be Manchester City's new manager, but in this case it has only spun in one direction, that of Manuel Pellegrini.

With the money bag's of Man City, every transfer rumor of manager or player seems to be outlandish and farfetched- enter rumored move for  Edison Cavani- yet this move for Pellegrini seemed calculated and realistic. The former Malaga, Real Madrid, and Villarreal manger to name just a few has signed a three year deal with The East-lands club and on his arrival stated,

"I am delighted to accept this hugely exciting opportunity. The Club has a clear vision for success both on and off the pitch and I am committed to making a significant contribution." Via mcfc.com

To that I say cheers, I'am no City fan by any stretch of the imagination, but am an admirer of Pellegrini's work. What I look forward to most is that arguably to top three teams in the EPL have new manager's. David Moyes at Manchester City, Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, and now Pellegrini at Manchester City, damn that's is tasty.

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U.S.A  2-0 Panama

USMNT Dominate Panama in last night's World Cup Qualifier 2-0, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

Features of Note:

Jozy Altidore extends scoring streak for the USMNT, finishing a fantastic cross from Fabian Johnson. The move on a whole was fantastic, started by a Geoff Cameron's steal in the middle of the park leading to a slaloming run from Michael Bradley, who spread it to Johnson on the wing.

Eddie Johnson hit the net to solidify the points, after timing his run to perfection, latching onto a sublime pass from Geoff Cameron over Panama's defense.

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Workplace for the day. MN United FC at Metrodome. #mnufc #pressbox

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USA tops Jamaica 2-1

It took a second half stoppage time snapshot from Brad Evans to secure a win against the Reggae Boys in Jamaica. Evans, a player highly praised for his defensive performance against Germany a week ago comes up big in an attacking sense with an instinctive effort to secure the points. 

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A fantastically visceral experience of Scottish Football as told by Alan Black of the SF Chronicle  on Howler Radio.