Some Soccer News for Dec 2, 2016

It's Day 337 of 2016.


NEXT WEEK
MLS Cup Final:
-Sat Dec 10
Toronto FC v Seattle Sounders FC - 7:00pm CT on FOX

• Sadly I will not be there this year. I'm bummed. I love going to this game.

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DC United has signed centerback Steve Birnbaum to a new contract.

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The new director of the Chicago Fire academy program came from Paris Saint-Germain. What is his vision? By Brian Sciaretta of American Soccer Now.

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After a turbulent week in NASL business the owners have met and progression is their goal. By Jeff Carlisle of ESPNFC.

• As I wrote a couple of days ago, if you want to stay on top of this moving target these are 3 people I suggest you check out on Twitter (you don't need Twitter to read them, just a web browser):

• Brian Quarstad

• Neil Morris

• Nipun Chopra

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The president of US Soccer Sunil Gulati has been involved in the discussions with the NASL. By Jeff Carlisle of ESPNFC.

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An ankle ligament injury which may require surgery will keep young American Lyden Gooch of Sunderland out for 3 months. Oof.

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The Bob Bradley + Swansea City Tracker:

• Standings - 19th Place, 2 Points + -5 GD into Relegation

• Up Next - Sat Dec 3 at Tottenham

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Liga MX Apertura Liguilla Semifinals Schedule:

• If Tigres and America advance then the Final will be a repeat of Apertura 2014.

1st Leg
-Wed Nov 30
Leon(8) 0-1 Tigres(3) - Tig goal by Andre Gignac.
-Thu Dec 1
Necaxa(7) 1-1 America(5) - Nec goal by Felipe Gallegos. Ame goal by Willian da Silva.
2nd Leg
-Sat Dec 3
Tigres(3) v Leon(8) (1-0)
-Sun Dec 4
America(5) v Necaxa(7) (1-1)

Former MLSer Fabian Espindola started and went 64 minutes for Necaxa.

Performance of the Americans in Liga MX Liguilla:

• Ventura Alvarado - America - went the full 90 at right fullback as they came from behind and got that precious away goal.

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Coming up this weekend in Europe:
-Sat Dec 3
Manchester City v Chelsea - 6:30am CT on NBCSN
Barcelona v Real Madrid - 9:00am CT on beIN Sports
-Sun Dec 4
Lazio v Roma - 8:00am CT on beIN Sports

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You can have your Messi, Xavi, Henry, Zlatan, Eto'o and today Neymar and Suarez, but the real sparkle in Barcelona's long haul has been Andres Iniesta. By Jonathan Wilson of Sports Illustrated.

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Zinedine Zidane has Real Madrid playing very well. They want to put Barcelona under their heel on Saturday. By Sid Lowe of the Guardian.

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Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend. From the Guardian.



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