Chicago Fire

As the clock moves towards September, it is not surprising to find traditional MLS contenders, New England, Dallas, Houston, New York and DC United beginning to make their moves.

NY Red Bulls 3, Houston 0

Mike Magee scored once and set up another goal as the New York Red Bulls extended their winning streak to three games with a 3-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo. Sparked by the recent play of Magee, the surging Red Bulls (7-7-7) evened their record and improved to 3-0-2 in their last five matches.

Playing uninspired and without passion at times, the Dynamo (8-5-8) had a four-game winning streak stopped and a seven-game unbeaten streak halted. Houston still is in first place in the Western Conference with 32 points.

Toronto 1, New England 1

Chad Barrett’s goal earned Toronto FC a 1-1 tie against league-leading New England on Saturday night. Playing his fourth game for Toronto since being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Fire, Barrett took a pass from Rohan Ricketts in the penalty area before turning and firing a left-footer past New England goalie Doug Warren in the 66th minute.

The goal seemed to energize Toronto, which just missed going ahead 2-1 in the 73rd minute when Marvell Wynne shot wide on an outstanding chance from in close.

Chivas USA 0, Earthquakes 0

Zach Thornton made three saves for his first shutout in two years to preserve Chivas USA’s tie. The Earthquakes (5-9-7) extended their unbeaten streak to six games. Chivas USA (6-9-6) is winless in its past six.

FC Dallas 1, Wizards 1

A goal in stoppage time by Jimmy Conrad gave Kansas City a share of the points here. With the draw FC Dallas (6-7-8) missed a chance to move past Real Salt Lake into second place in the Western Conference. Kansas City (6-7-8) avoided its first home loss since a 3-0 defeat by Columbus on June 14.

Crew 3, Real Salt Lake 0

Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored one and laid on two as Columbus (11-6-4) equaled the 37 points it had in 30 matches last season. Real Salt Lake (7-8-6) is 1-8-1 on the road.

DC United 3, Rapids 0

Kouis Crayton had his second shutout in three matches and Joe Vide and Quavas Kirk scored their first career goals. Colorado has only one victory in its last six matches and extended its road winless streak to seven. The Rapids haven’t won at RFK Stadium since 1999.

For the third time this season the Chicago Fire defeated the New England Revolution.  The perennial Eastern Conference contenders are currently the top two teams in MLS and both harbor championship hopes.

But on this night—and the previous two meetings between these two teams—Chicago had New England's number. They have won the three games by a combined score of 9-1.

This game was by far the most challenging of the three as the Fire had to come back from an early goal off the head of recently healthy striker Taylor Twellman. But thanks to a sinking knuckleball from Gonzalo Segares and a rebound from Wilman Conde, Chicago got the win and pulled to within one point of first place.

Chicago has been knocked out of the playoffs the last three seasons by the Revolution and the rivalry between these two teams seems to grow every year.

Budding rivalries like the Fire versus the Revolution are exactly what the MLS needs to continue pushing forward and improving their standing in the world of soccer.

Both Chicago and New England have been paving the road for the growth of MLS, especially in the past two seasons.

Chicago made one of the largest splashes last season when they signed Mexican international Cuauhtemoc Blanco. And they have continued their quest for international talent with the acquisitions of the Colombian, Conde, Lider Molina from Paraguay, and recently acquired Marco Pappa from Guatemala.

The Revolution have been one of the top teams in MLS over the last two seasons, finishing runner-up in the last two MLS Cups, and becoming the first MLS team to win the Superliga title.

These two teams are on the forefront, driving MLS in to the future that looks very bright. It is great to see this rivalry grow and blossom.

That was a really hard title to write. I am a big supporter of the Chicago Fire and also of Cuauhtemoc Blanco. I think he was one of the best things to happen to MLS and has done wonders for the league.

But this last week Blanco was out of action for the first time in his MLS career—suspended for one game due to yellow card accumulation—and the Fire looked like an entirely different team.

I am still trying to figure out if this team was better or just so different that it caught me off guard.

When Blanco is on the field, the entire game flows through him in midfield and the offensive players are reliant on him for service and support. These are usually good things because Blanco is an incredibly skilled player and probably has the best vision of any player in the league.

The drawback is that Blanco—at 35 years of age—is starting to slow and cannot get back and defend like most midfielders. This means that players like Chris Rolfe and Justin Mapp are forced to spend much of their time racing back to defend and fill in the holes created by Blanco's free moving style.

During the Fire's 1-0 victory over Chivas USA this past weekend, Chicago used a few new-comers to offset the absence of Mr. White.

Guatemalan midfielder Marco Pappa played in his first MLS match and looked impressive as the main playmaker in the center of the pitch. Sure the 20-year-old was not perfect, but his energy and speed on the ball was very good to see from a young player in a new league.

Another pleasant surprise was the coming out party of Patrick Nyarko. The seventh pick in this years Superdraft showed why he had been so highly rated going into the draft when he scored his first career MLS goal—and he could have had two if not for the ref incorrectly calling him offside on the first.

The rookie did not join the team until recently after deciding to stay at Virginia Tech until his graduation earlier this spring. He showed great speed and a knack for putting the ball in the back of the net—a trait that we have not seen much of this season.

The most shocking thing about this game was the speed at which it was played. With Pappa lining up in the midfield with John Thorrington, Mapp, and defensive midfielder Logan Pause, the Fire looked to move much quicker than in any other game this season.

Nyarko—paired up top with Rolfe—added to the overall team speed of Chicago and this was the difference in the game.

All season Chicago has been a team that will grind you with great defense and goalkeeper and score just enough to pull out the victory. But in this game we saw a different side of the team. Sure they only scored one goal, but they looked so much more dangerous throughout than usual.

What coach Denis Hamlett decides to do for the rest of the year will be interesting with both Thorrington and now Pappa looking for playing time in the midfield and Brian McBride coming in to reinforce the front line.

Whether Chicago was better without Blanco is hard to say definitively, but one thing is for sure, they were very different. If they can figure out a way to mix the speed an d energy of the Chivas game with the guile and creativity of Blanco, the Fire have a great chance at an MLS Cup.

Every soccer fan in the United States has heard of Brian McBride, the American that showed that U.S. could play soccer at the top level in Europe. With his signature No. 20 jersey, he wowed fans at Fulham and the US National Team. Brian was and is the best scorer that America has had so far. 

McBride, now 36, showed that he could become a top-class player in high school when he led his school to the Illinois state championship in 1988. Eventually, he went to Saint Louis University and set records for the most goals, assists, and total points. His career was getting off on the right foot, and it was soon to get better.

After playing briefly with minor leagues in the States and for Vfl Wolfsburg in Germany's second division, he came back to play for the Columbus Crew in the MLS's debut season in 1996. It was here that he established himself as a goal scoring machine, scoring 62 goals in his eight years at the club, a club record that still stands. 

In 2000, McBride got the big break he wanted and went to play in England. He was loaned out to Preston North End where he had to regretfully sit out most of the season with a blood clot.

Two years later, Everton's manager David Moyes, Preston's manager while McBride was at the club, called upon McBride's services again. McBride had a terrific season with Everton, scoring on his debut for the club.  McBride went on to score four goals in eight games that season. 

Soon, McBride was transferred again—this time to Fulham. Like he did for Everton, he scored on his debut for Fulham. He had the best time of his career at Fulham. He scored over five goals every season he was with Fulham. In the 2006-2007 season, McBride was Fulham's top goal scorer with 12 goals to his name, and was named Fulham's Player of the Year. 

In August of 2007, he was made captain of Fulham. Although the 2007/2008 season proved to be the best season of his career, it was cut short by injury. For the rest of his time at Fulham, he would only come on as a substitute. 

In May of 2008, McBride announced he was leaving Fulham and going back to the MLS.  He was quickly picked up by the Chicago Fire, his hometown club. 

McBride also had a brilliant international career. He made his international debut in 1993 and his World Cup debut in 1998. He went on to earn 95 caps for his country and score 20 goals. After the 2006 World Cup, he announced his retirement from international duty. However, he was convinced to rejoin the national team for his first ever Olympics.

What's next for Brian McBride, the American that wowed the Fulham faithful?  With his new club the Chicago Fire, and his duties at the Olympics, McBride hopes to close out his successful career.

I thank McBride for all those goals and entertaining games he gave Americans. I wish him the best in his career.

With just over two weeks until the kickoff to the 2008-09 Barclays Premier League season, Everton is definitely not as prepared as they would like to be. The Merseyside club has yet to make a single signing this summer and have lost three of their pre-season matches.

To make matters worse, chief executive of Everton Football Club Keith Wyness resigned from his post just hours after seeing David Moyes' 10-man side lose 2-0 to the Chicago Fire. The match was the first of two friendly fixtures scheduled in the USA.

Moyes has wasted little time in criticizing the club for making such little progress in the transfer market this season.

While other clubs are out wheeling and dealing and bolstering their squads, the only transfer worth talking about for Everton is the sale of star striker Andy Johnson to Fulham.

“We cannot hide the fact that we need new players at Everton,” Moyes told Everton TV.

“Everybody knows it, I know it, the players know it. We have to get five or six players in before the season starts. It is okay getting fit, but you have got to be able to play better. At the moment there is not enough competition for the players to realize that if they play poorly they will not be selected.”

A lack of competition for places in the Everton squad may be the major concern at the moment for Moyes, but with Everton hoping to break the top four in the league next season and make a good run in the UEFA Cup, they need to drastically strengthen their squad.   

Not to mention there is the FA Cup and the Carling Cup, both competitions in which Moyes hopes his side have a long cup run in.

So with less than a month to bring some new faces to Goodison Park, Moyes will have to be extremely busy in the transfer market. And it won’t help much that Keith Wyness has left a hole in the chief executive position at the club.

Fortunately, Moyes is fully aware of Everton’s lack of movement in the transfer market this summer. Otherwise there would be even more need for concern.

“We are in a poor, poor situation regarding going forward.”

With so little time until the new season begins, Everton fans better hope their manager can work some magic and bring in some new players soon.

Everton has been linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon's Joao Moutinho and is reported to be planning to use the money from Andy Johnson’s sale to lure the Portuguese international to England.

The next few weeks will be interesting, and I recommend you keep an eye on the happenings at Goodison Park, well, that is, if there is any.

The welt on Brian McBride's head was about the size of a plum.  In the process of fighting for a ball, the top of Latvian defender Deniss Ivanovs' head met with McBride's forehead. 

He toppled to the ground, like many a soccer player does when meeting contact with an opposing player... however, when McBride doesn't immediately get up, there's a reason beyond theatrics.

After rising to his feet, McBride was forced to go off of the field for a moment to receive treatment from the medical staff.

Medical treatment has become a mere formality for McBride; a man who has titanium plates surgically implanted in his face: a stern reminder of his tendency to break facial bones in the pursuit of possession.

A minute passed, maybe two, before McBride was allowed to reenter play, his welt soaking in the rays from the Rentschler Field spot lights as 24,000+ in East Hartford cheered on the legendary American target forward.

The U.S. continued to dominate possession, but had nothing in the way of goals to show for it.

Close your eyes.  Open them.

Right back Steve Cherundolo is flying down the right side of the field.  He whips a cross into the middle of a pack of cross-continental foes.

6' feet of titanium and testosterone from the Windy City rises above the pack, meeting the ball with his recently welted forehead.  McBride provides all the scoring the U.S. would need in that moment of physical defiance.

A minor incident in a trivial exhibition to some, McBride's career has been plagued with minor incidents of perseverance and dedication.

Many will remember this moment from the 2006 World Cup: McBride, head gashed open from an elbow thrown by Daniele DeRossi.  He gets right back to his feet, walks off proudly... comes back on shortly after, ready to face Armageddon.

Digest some of that phrase for a minute: "gets right back to his feet."

That is the career of Brian McBride in a nutshell.

CLUB CAREER

A stalwart at the University of St. Louis, McBride signed with the Milwaukee Rampage of the A-League in 1994.  After tearing the league to shreds, he was signed by Vfl. Wolfsburg of the 2.Bundesliga after just a year.

McBride found breaking into the first team difficult at Wolsburg and returned to America to play for the newly formed Columbus Crew of the equally new Major League Soccer in 1996.

For the next eight years, McBride would plague opponents, scoring 62 goals in league play over 161 games.

Twice, during off-seasons, he was loaned to, and impressed at, English clubs.

First was Preston North End, under the leadership of young manager David Moyes.  Preston would attempt to acquire McBride on a permanent transfer following his injury plagued stay, but MLS rebuked their offer in 2000.

In 2002, he was once again called on by Moyes, this time at his new home in Everton.  McBride came out of the chutes firing, scoring on his debut against Spurs.

Speaking to the Associated Press about McBride, Moyes was not shy about his feelings over the American,

"I remember when I came here a year ago, one of the things I questioned was commitment and attitude, but those are qualities Brian has in abundance."

McBride returned to MLS again, impressed again, and was transferred to Fulham FC in January of 2004 for $1.5 million.

By today's exorbitant standards, then Fulham manager Chris Coleman made one of the deals of the decade.

An American Target Man in London

McBride, brought in as Louis Saha left, made an immediate impact for the Whites, scoring on his debut and didn't stop.

Over his four year stay, McBride worked his way from the bench, to first team mainstay  and, eventually captain.

His career in South-West London would entail 40 goals in 153 appearances, and became widely known as one of the best headers of the ball in the game (a statement many of the Everton faithful would attest to in this clip).

In mid-August of 2007, McBride would dislocate his kneecap in the process of scoring a goal against Middlesbrough... applauding the appreciative Fulham fans from his stretcher as he was carried off the field.

As his fortunes fell so did Fulham's, dropping into a near impossible hole and staring relegation straight in the face.

But McBride would return in February... and his swan song with the Whites may have been his magnum opus.

Game winning goals against stingy Everton, Birmingham, and on the road against Reading (snapping Fulham's woeful away losses string, which had gone on for over a year) were vital to Fulham's survival efforts.

The Whites finished just above the relegation zone on goal differential and McBride was offered a contract to keep him in the Premier League.

He declined, feeling that the time was right to return to MLS for the twilight of his career... and rejoin the U.S. National team for their Olympic campaign in China.

AN EXAMPLE OF PURE CLASS

When watching McBride score goals (Exhibit A), one may notice his steady celebration technique:

1) Kissing his ring finger.

2) Signing the cross.

3) Pointing to the sky.

4) Pointing to a teammate. (usually)

5) Showing unbridled passion.

Let's go over these.

1) - The kissing of his ring finger is a gesture of love to his wife, and having her in his thoughts each time he scores in a game.  In a soccer world where players are more known for their consistent visits to prostitutes (COUGHchristianoRonaldCOUGH) and web-cam inspired masturbation sessions in Moscow (COUGHashleyoungCOUGH) isn't it a little inspiring to see someone actually care about their significant other?

2) - A sign of his faith.  I know personal faith is overdone in sports, but McBride doesn't drone on, insincerely thanking God for his success during interviews.  He shows his appreciation in this singular act.

3) - This coincides with the previous two, thanking the people who are with him in spirit if not in flesh.

4) - McBride showing thanks, once more, by giving credit to the player who helped create his opportunity, instead of running over to snort the endline, attempting to shoot lightning bolts, playing the violin, or flying like an airplane.

No.  McBride doesn't need these excesses.  He possesses the qualities that we as Americans beg for in our athletes in a sport that is often bemoaned for lacking the qualities to entertain an American audience.

Hard work. Teamwork.  Dedication. Strength. Endurance. Passion.

Some call it a no-contact, low-action sport where sissies flop all over the field, trying their hardest to win an Oscar.

Some say Americans can't play the game at the top level.  That it will never produce top level talent able to keep up with the top soccer playing nations of the world.

My ears have learned to shut out their wanton disregard for the the truth, for the facts.  I don't need to argue with them.

I just tell them to watch Brian McBride.

If they don't, it's their loss.

During the halftime report at the MLS All-Star game, MLS commissioner Don Garber stated that the Brian McBride saga is over.

Sure, this saga was nothing compared to Cristiano Ronaldo-to-Real Madrid, but for fans of MLS—especially those fans of the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC—this has been drawn out far too long.

While Garber would not say full out that McBride is on his way to Chicago, he did say a deal was done and an official announcement would be made tomorrow. He also said that it would be nice to see McBride playing in Chicago

These comments along with McBride's persistence on playing for the Fire, lead this writer to believe that ex-Fulham player will soon be playing in Chicago.

This deal has been in the works for weeks, and it looks like it was finally completed. Toronto FC owns the rights to McBride, and Chicago needs to complete a deal with them in order to acquire the striker.

While I have no idea what Chicago gave up for McBride, I am sure it was worth it.

After a dry spell, the Fire has improved and currently sits third in the Eastern Conference behind the New England Revolution and the Columbus Crew.

For a team that is traditionally strong in the second, the addition of McBride would be a huge boost for the Fire.

Paired with the likes of Cuauhtemoc Blanco, John Thorrington, and Chris Rolfe, the Fire could possess one of the top offensive teams in the league to go with their already stingy defense that has given up only 14 goals in 16 games this season.

Should be fun to watch.

Article originally published on The Looper.

So, another away game, another loss for Toronto FC. While it had started so badly for TFC as they let in a sloppy (albeit well taken) first goal from Chris Rolfe against Chicago Fire tonight, the positive response from the Reds saw them equalize via 16-year old debutant (and second-youngest ever MLS draft pick) Abdus Ibrahim.

Yet as has so often been the case for Toronto on their travels this year, they couldn't hold onto this morale boosting position, and let in another soft goal in the 91st minute courtesy of John Thorrington, to hand the Fire a 2-1 victory. The defeat potentially leaves Toronto out of the play-off spots, depending on results from the other games played this weekend.

With an away record that now stands at 1-6-0, Toronto FC obviously have a problem when not playing at BMO Field. So what is it, and what can be done to prevent this from derailing a potentially groundbreaking second season for this newest MLS franchise?

Mental Toughness
If there's one thing that can be said about any sport, mental attitude is everything. If you're a team that's not used to winning, then it becomes difficult to overcome this hurdle. Toronto FC had this last year, both at home and away, as result after result went against them.

However, this year has been a different proposition altogether, as new signings and a new manager has seen Toronto get some excellent results and establish themselves as genuine playoff candidates. At least at home, that is.

Despite this new improved Toronto, they have failed to transfer their impressive home record to their away games. Six losses and 16 goals against them does not make for happy reading. So has Toronto lost confidence on the road? It would seem that way.

Although their performance against the Chicago Fire tonight was a much improved one, it was obvious that after the Fire scored their first goal the players of TFC were thinking, "Here we go again." Until this mindset is worked out of the players' system, Toronto will continue to struggle on the road.

Home Comforts
An indisputable fact from this year's campaign is Toronto's impressive home record. Any successful team needs to make their home turf a fortress, and in this respect Toronto have delivered.

Undefeated at home in eight matches and with 10 goals to their credit (and only 2 against), BMO Field has become a place that opposing teams know they will have to fight hard to leave with anything. No wonder TFC fans chant, "This is our house."

Yet perhaps this has worked against TFC when it comes to taking to the road. Despite the loyal travelling support of the fans-300 made it to Chicago for tonight's match-there isn't the same atmosphere on the road as there is at BMO field.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has consistently said that the Kop-the hardcore supporter's section-is like a 12th man for his team. The same could be said of Toronto FC's loyal fans-at home the atmosphere is incredible, and perhaps even intimidating for visiting teams.

Away from home, when the crowd has been diluted, perhaps subconsciously it does affect the players. When things are going wrong at BMO Field, you can rely on 20,000 vocal TFC fans urging the team forward.

Although the travelling fans do their best, it's impossible to replicate this at away games and maybe, just maybe, the players feel this too.

Tactics, Tactics, Tactics
Although injuries and suspensions may have forced Head Coach John Carver into it, his decision to try an all new tactical line-up tonight (3-5-2 as opposed to the tried and trusted 4-5-1) seemed to backfire.

The three defenders of Toronto were consistently overrun by Chicago's attacking midfielders and forwards. Only when Toronto reverted to their trusted formation did they force themselves back into the game.

It's all well and good wanting to try something different but in an important game like the one against Chicago, where victory for either team would cement their claim for a play-off place, trying something new seemed naive management. Credit to Carver, he realized his error and changed when it became obvious it wasn't working, but it was still a strange decision.

So, where now for Toronto FC? There's no question that they are a very different team this year, with a far more cohesive unit that has a very realistic chance of reaching the play-offs. At least going by their home record, that is.

Until they can cure the malaise that is their away day results, then Toronto FC will continue to be the MLS "almost team". Whether it's employing a more defensive, counter-attacking line-up, or dropping some of the players that don't seem to travel well, something needs to be done if they want to live up to their obvious potential.

After announcing he would be leaving Fulham to return to the USA, Brian McBride has left the entire MLS on edge.

Sure at 35, McBride is in the closing years of his football career but this is the MLS and a striker of his talent and skill could make or break any team in the league.

The two teams who seem best positioned to land the former US National are his previous team, the Columbus Crew, and his hometown team, the Chicago Fire.

Both are having much better than expected seasons and both are currently one point behind New England for the best record in the league. But both would benefit incredibly from the addition of a skilled player like McBride.

While I think McBride will consider Columbus, Chicago seems to be his destination of choice. For years McBride has talked about returning home (he grew up and played in the Chicago suburbs).

And what better time to join the Fire than right now?

Not only is the team far and away exceeding expectations, they have the core to win the MLS Cup.

With DP Cuauhtemoc Blanco ripping holes in midfields across the league and the stingiest defense (having only allowed six goals this season), Chicago is one piece away from being a serious championship contender.

And McBride is that piece.

The one issue Chicago has had since Blanco joined the team is turning his sublime passes and fantastic midfield play into goals. And while Chad Barrett and Chris Rolff have been better this season there is still a lot of room for improvement.

With his nose for the goal and Blanco's incredible passes McBride would be a perfect fit in Chicago.

If McBride does decide to head home the rest of MLS beware. With the stone back line allowing less than a goal a game, a midfield of Blanco, Marsh and Man U castoff Thorrington supplying the ball to McBride and Rolff or Barrett would be a site to behold.

• Derby and Birmingham are on alert after Everton midfielder Lee Carsley
  turned down a new contract, so he can move back to the Midlands. (Press Association)

• Real Madrid are on the verge of signing Racing Santander’s Argentine centre half Ezequiel Garay for eleven million Euros (eight million pounds), after Barcelona president Joan Laporta vetoed a move for the player. (Sky Sports News).

• Aston Villa are rumoured to be tracking nineteen year old Real Valladolid keeper Sergio Asenjo. The Spaniard has a buyout clause of about 3.3 million pounds. (Sky Sports News)

• Ex England boss Steve McClaren is in line for taking the reins at FC Twente next season. The Dutch side qualified for the Champions League through the playoffs beating Ajax in the final. (The Sun)

• Arsenal are in talks with AS Roma’s highly rated Italian international Alberto Aquailani over a move to the Emirates. (Setanta Sports News)

• Everton are interested in Bordeaux’s former Liverpool midfielder Alou Diarra, has a replacement for the departing Lee Carsley. (Various)

• Although they missed out on Garay, the Catalans have agreed a six million pound fee with Manchester United for Gerard Pique to take the Spanish defender back to the Nou Camp. (Daily Mail)

• Hungary captain Zoltan Gera could leave West Brom for Portuguese giants Benfica, after the midfielder’s agent received an offer from the Reds. (The Times)

• Paul Jewell has put the entire Derby County squad up for sale, following the Ram’s relegation from the Premier League. (Daily Record)

• Arsenal could turn to Blackburn’s Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz if Emanuel Adebayor leaves for AC Milan, although the Gunners are confident that the Togo captain will stay in North London. (The Times)

• Arsenal will also sign Portsmouth’s Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar for ten million, if the south coast club sign former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, who is a free agent after leaving Anfield. (Daily Mirror)

• Celtic will try to sign West Brom captain Paul Robinson if Lee Naylor leaves for Portsmouth. (The Herald)

• Fulham saviour Brian McBride is considering returning to the States this summer with former club Columbus Crew and Chicago Magic interested. The former USA international is out of contract this summer. (The Times)

• Lassana Diarra has a gentlemen’s agreement with Portsmouth that will let him leave the south coast if a top Champions League club comes in for the France International. (Daily Mail)

• QPR hope to bring West Brom Striker Kevin Phillips and Wolves’ Striker Freddie Eastwood to Loftus Road as the club’s first choice strike partnership next season. But the hoops will face competition from four other championship clubs for Eastwood’s signature. (Daily Mirror)

• Derby have had a half a million pound bid for Swansea’s Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde turned down. (Sky Sports News)

• Daniel Alves says that he feels the time is right to leave Sevilla for another challenge, Barcelona are the favourites for the match winning right back. (Sky Sports News)

• Hearts winger Neil McCann has left Tynecastle and signed for Falkirk. He joins fellow veterans Lee Bullen and Jackie McNamara in making the move to Falkirk Park. Hearts have also released French centre half Ibrahim Tall. (Sky Sports News)

• Shaun Wright-Phillips has denied that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge, despite his lack of first-team chances with the Blues. (Chelsea.com)

• While highly rated striker Karim Benzema will stay at Lyon despite the French international being chased by some of Europe’s biggest clubs. (Sky Sports News)