These days, Everton needs Landon Donovan a lot more than the Los Angeles Galaxy captain needs the Premier League club.
It would be easy for Zak Whitbread to look back at the last nine months and think about what could have been.With better-timed good health, the 27-year-old Norwich City center back may already be on his way to the international career that has yet to materialize.
The upset bug made its way around Europe over the weekend, with Mainz beating German power Bayern Munich and Getafe taming the all-mighty Barcelona, but for a few U.S. national team starters, their teams couldn't quite come up with the efforts necessary to stake claims to landmark Thanksgiving weekend victories against top competition.
The renaissance months for DaMarcus Beasley and Herculez Gomez have come to an abrupt halt.
We're a quarter of the way into the season, which seems a good time to raise a few points about some of the players who've been thrilling or spilling so far in the Barclays Premier League:
Josh Gatt wasn't on the field as his team cemented a monumental achievement, but that doesn't mean he won't be able to reap the benefits of his club's first league championship.
The last time Herculez Gomez was on this kind of a run, he ended up with a scoring title and a ticket to South Africa.
Roman Pavlyuchenko scored the only goal of the game against his Russian compatriots to give Tottenham a 1-0 win over Rubin Kazan and retain their unbeaten record in Europa League Group A on Thursday.
The UEFA Europa League is seen by some as a schedule-congesting, second-rate competition.
The rotating door at the U.S. Soccer infirmary, one that always seems to have high-profile inhabitants, keeps on turning.
Anticipated debuts, goal-scoring forwards and a potential renaissance.
If only Jozy Altidore and Robbie Findley had found this kind of form 15 months ago.
Hong Kong tycoon Carson Yeung, the owner of relegated English Premier League football club Birmingham City, has been granted permission to travel to Britain while he awaits trial on money laundering charges.
updated: Thu Jun 30 2011 08:14:00
Hong Kong tycoon and Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung is charged with money laundering. Ramy Inocencio reports.
Hong Kong tycoon Carson Yeung, the owner of relegated English Premier League football club Birmingham City, was arrested and charged with money laundering Thursday.
Former Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins believes the Premier League club will re-appoint Guus Hiddink as their new manager.
It is that time of year again, when more than 34,000 minutes of Premier League action has to be mentally sifted for gems and the season's best performers picked. In some cases, statistics bear out your feeling that one player deserves recognition over another; in others, a less scientific cocktail of impact, awe and admiration sways the decision. Somewhat inevitably, many of the names below represent teams in the top five, but I've "shown my working out" in recognition of the quality of some of the candidates.
Manchester United rounded off their title winning season with a 4-2 victory at Old Trafford which sent battling underdogs Blackpool down to the second flight Sunday.
Five things we learned from the final day's action in the Premier League:
Manchester City missed the opportunity to tighten their grip on fourth place in the English Premier League on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to Everton at Goodison Park.
Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the English Premier League to ten points on Saturday after a comfortable 2-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.
A Wayne Rooney inspired Manchester United beat arch-rivals Arsenal 2-0 at Old Trafford Saturday to reach the semifinals of the English FA Cup.
Everton hit back from going a goal behind to earn a 1-1 home draw with Birmingham City, a result that lifts the visitors out of the bottom three of the Premier League table.
Thoughts on the weekend's action in the Barclays Premier League:
Birmingham City upset Arsenal 2-1 to win the English League Cup at Wembley Sunday, ending a 48-year wait for a major trophy.
On this week's episode of "The Transfer Season," one American gets his final clearance to go overseas, one gets freed from his manager's doghouse and a few more get their names on the transaction ticker.
Manchester United returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday after a 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Ten-man West Ham relieved the pressure on manager Avram Grant with a 2-1 victory at home to Birmingham in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals on Tuesday night.
Manchester United reclaimed top spot in the English Premier League from local rivals Manchester City despite being held 1-1 at lowly Birmingham on Tuesday night.
During a weekend when most Americans were giving thanks, one soccer team in England once again showered thanks upon its star American.
Chelsea crashed to a second successive English Premier League defeat for the first time in four years on Saturday, allowing Manchester United to draw level on points with the leaders.
Tottenham's Champions League comedown continued on Tuesday when the London club drew 1-1 at home to Sunderland in the English Premier League.
BIRMINGHAM, England -- Part of Birmingham City's preparation for Saturday's match against West Ham will be a thorough fitness test on Roger Johnson. The defender hasn't trained since struggling through the closing minutes of last week's derby against Aston Villa, having taken a knock to the ankle; his leg is invisible inside a protective boot.
For at least one week, the discussion about the lack of U.S. goal scorers can be put to rest.
Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford by West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Sunderland had the better of the chances against Manchester United at the Stadium of Light in the English Premier League on Saturday, but had to settle for a 0-0 draw against the 2009 champions.
Notes from the weekend in the Premier League:
Juventus remain without a win after two Italian Serie A games after being held to a 3-3 home draw by Sampdoria.
Manchester City's designs on the English Premier League title were dealt an early blow as an injury time penalty from Darren Bent handed Sunderland a shock 1-0 win.
With just a few matches remaining of this Premiership season, the time has come for a spot of deliberation, cogitation and digestion. What's happened since last August to confound the surest of expectations and put paid to the sincerest of hopes? Quite a bit, is the simple answer; this season has provided a lasting ride for more than half of a league that has spent several years fending off accusations of soul-crushing predictability. Things we didn't expect:
Hats off to Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who surprised everyone -- perhaps even Didier Drogba himself -- by leaving his leading goal scorer on the bench against Manchester United and fielding the same starting 11 that had demolished Aston Villa the week before.
Liverpool's hopes of claiming the fourth and final Champions League place took another knock on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 Premier League draw at Birmingham.
Goal machine Didier Drogba scored twice as Chelsea returned to the top of the English Premier League with a comfortable 4-1 win over relegation battlers West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Birmingham City avenged their FA Cup quarterfinal defeat at Portsmouth on Saturday, beating the English Premier League bottom side 2-1 to nudge them closer to relegation on Tuesday.
FA Cup holders Chelsea could face big-spending Manchester City in the quarterfinals of this year's competition after Sunday's draw threw up the fascinating possibility.
Chelsea climbed back to the top of English Premier League table after a comfortable 3-0 victory over Birmingham at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to break one of his golden rules by re-signing former England defender Sol Campbell.
Title hopefuls Manchester United and Arsenal were both held to draws on Saturday as Chelsea retained their English Premier League lead despite being snowed out of action.
Didier Drogba scored a vital equalizer as Chelsea came from behind to beat west London neighbors Fulham 2-1 to extend their English Premier League lead to five points.
Birmingham extended their unbeaten English Premier League run to 10 games as they held leaders Chelsea 0-0 at St Andrew's in the early kick off on Boxing Day.
Didier Drogba scored twice as Chelsea re-established a five point lead at the top of the English Premier League with a 3-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal and Liverpool boosted their English Premier League title challenges with contrasting victories on Saturday.
Substitute Steven Gerrard scored a controversial late penalty to earn struggling Liverpool a 2-2 English Premier League draw against Birmingham at Anfield on Monday.
Goalkeeper Shay Given produced a superb display to earn below-par Manchester City a point in a 0-0 Premier League draw at Birmingham on Sunday.
Champions Manchester United returned to the top of the English Premier League on Saturday after previous leaders Chelsea crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
updated: Thu Oct 15 2009 15:11:00
CNN's Andrew Stevens takes a look at the mystery man buying Britain's Birmingham City Football Club.
American billionaire Stan Kroenke has increased his share in English Premier League club Arsenal to 28.9 per cent.
Saudi Arabian businessman Ali Al Faraj has sealed his takeover of English Premier League side Portsmouth, becoming the second new owner of the side in six weeks.
Defending champions Manchester United handed title rivals Arsenal their first defeat this season on Saturday night, while Chelsea and Tottenham continued their perfect start to the English Premier League campaign.
Awaking from our slumber after one of those tedious biennial summers without a showpiece international tournament, it slowly dawned on us: the Premier League is back at last! With only one week before the world's pre-eminent league kicks off, we headed for Castle Limey to dust down the dungeon-sized supercomputer responsible for our EPL predictions.
Sven-Göran Eriksson must be kicking himself for not surviving the sack at Manchester City. After being given a top-10 target after he took the job in July 2007, the former England manager steered the club to ninth place in the Premier League that season, his first in charge. Notorious City fan and Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher told the BBC that Eriksson "gave us a bit of style and dignity and grace. He bought some great players." It was "the best season I can remember."
From four leaf clovers to a severed rabbit's foot, when it comes to lucky mascots reason and taste often go out of the window.
Holders Portsmouth booked their place in the English FA Cup fourth round with a 2-0 victory at Bristol City that lifted some of the pressure on new manager Tony Adams.
Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo marked his international debut on Saturday by missing an open goal in the 0-0 draw against Norway.
Manchester United have agreed to pay an undisclosed fee to sign Welsh Under-21 international Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff City.
Finland international striker Mikael Forssell has ended his English career after sealing a switch to German side Hannover on Friday.
Fulham hauled themselves out of the relegation zone in the English Premier League with a 2-0 home victory over Birmingham City, who slipped to second from bottom.
Chelsea vs. Manchester United: They're now in a two-horse race to be both English and European champions. With only two games left in the Premier League season, they're tied on points and, once that's resolved, they'll contest the small matter of the European Cup final on May 21 in Moscow.
John Carew and Ashley Young grabbed two goals apiece to keep Aston Villa in the hunt for a European place and leave local rivals Birmingham deep in relegation trouble.
Arsenal dealt a severe blow to struggling Reading's hopes of avoiding the drop and revived their own hopes of claiming second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in Saturday's early kick off.
Everton's bid for a Champions League place suffered a setback as relegation-threatened Birmingham salvaged a late point at St Andrews through Mauro Zarate's 83rd minute equalizer.
English club Birmingham City have released a statement to explain why co-owner and managing director were interviewed by police in a corruption probe.
Manchester United is running rampant. Last Saturday, the Red Devils demolished eighth-place Aston Villa 4-0 at Old Trafford and remain five points clear of Chelsea in the English Premier League race. The standard of United's soccer was so sublime, the score line actually flattered the losers.
Arsenal are geared up for the final sprint for the English Premier League title as they prepare for Sunday's clash away to third-placed London rivals Chelsea.
Michael Owen eased some of the pressure on Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan by salvaging a point in a nervy 1-1 Barclays Premier League relegation battle with Birmingham at St Andrews.
Nicklas Bendtner kept Arsenal on top of the English Premier League when he snatched a last minute equalizer to give the Gunners a 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa.
Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva has been released from hospital following the broken leg he suffered in a tackle against Birmingham City last weekend, the Premier League club have revealed.
Arsenal manger Arsene Wenger has retracted comments calling for Birmingham defender Martin Taylor to be banned for life following his horror tackle on Eduardo on Saturday.
Lee Bowyer has been cleared to carry on playing for West Ham United after the English Football Association overturned his straight red card in Saturday's 1-1 home draw against Birmingham.
Arsenal returned to the top of the English Premier League with a 3-0 home victory on Tuesday night which left Kevin Keegan still seeking his first win since returning to Newcastle as manager for the second time.
Birmingham City have signed Argentine striker Mauro Zarate on loan until the end of the season as they step up their bid to preserve Premier League status.
Birmingham have completed the signing of Everton striker James McFadden in a deal thought to be worth $11 million.
Manchester United returned to the top of the English Premier League after thrashing crisis club Newcastle 6-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Like most English Premier League managers, Team Limey has been working off the excesses of Christmas and New Year to battle with a horde of like-minded bargain-hungry individuals perusing the January sales.
Manchester United received a New Year boost as striker Carlos Tevez received positive news about his damaged ankle.
English Premier League club Fulham have appointed Roy Hodgson as their new manager.
Birmingham's proposed takeover by Carson Yeung has collapsed after the English Premier League club terminated talks with the Hong Kong businessman's investment company Grandtop International Holdings.
English Premier League club Birmingham City will not be taken over before the end of the current season at the earliest said chairman David Gold on Tuesday.
Ryan Giggs scored his 100th Premier League goal as Manchester United beat Derby County 4-1 at Old Trafford and moved to within a point of leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool climbed to third place in the English Premier League after extending their unbeaten run to 14 matches with a 4-0 victory at home to struggling Bolton on Sunday.
Alex McLeish resigned as Scotland's national team coach on Tuesday, clearing the way for him to become the manager of English Premier League club Birmingham.
Steve Bruce's on-off move from Birmingham to Wigan will finally be completed on Monday when he is officially unveiled as manager of the Premier League club.
Italy's World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi is the latest big name to reject the chance of taking over at Premier League strugglers Birmingham City following Steve Bruce's proposed move to Wigan Athletic.
Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has confirmed that Steve Bruce is the new manager of the struggling English Premier League club.
Chelsea moved to within three points of the top two sides in the English Premier League by winning 2-0 at Wigan.
Manchester United scored four goals for the fourth successive game in a 4-1 victory over Middlesbrough at Old Trafford, while fellow title challengers Chelsea routed Manchester City 6-0 as the Premier League went goal crazy on Saturday.
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