A very special thank you to Mike Janosz for the great photos from Sunday’s 2008 European Championship kick off match between Hollywood United and Alpine United.

Bottom L-R - Donal Logue, Gilles Marini, Derk Droze, Danny Cannon, DJ Bob Sinclair, Jason Marthot, Brian Burdue

Top L-R - Hilton Goring, Brian Dunseth, Allen Hopkins, Jimmy-Jean Louis, Alexi Lalas, Brandon Routh, Dermot Mulroney, Olivier Biaggi, Billy Duffy, Manager Ian Carrington

Not Pictured because they were just a bit late, Rohan and Ziggy Marley

Gilles Marini battling through the defense.

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The United States got a good look at their opponent this week as Spain took on Peru in Huelva over the weekend.

Do you see any weaknesses in their starting 11?  Yeah, me neither.

David Beckham got his 102nd cap but Jermaine Defoe stole the show with 2 goals as England won 3-Nil in Port-of-Spain.

Aston Villa (for now) midfielder Gareth Barry once again had another strong match in the midfield, going the full 90 and getting on the score sheet in the 12th minute at the sold out (23,000)  Hasley Crawford Stadium.

Dwight Yorke got his feel good substitution appearance, coming on for Khaleem Hyland in the 76th minute.  The Smiling Assassin earned his 60th cap in what most think will be his last appearance for The Soca Warriors.

image via DailyMail

Fabio Capello HAS handed David Beckham the armband, leading England out against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday in Port of Spain.

Capello has stated he’d use these matches for an opportunity to audition players for the permanent Captain as Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry have led England out in previous matches.

Ring up Cap #102!

image via ABC

According to the MNT-USSoccer.Blogspot the line up has been announced for kickoff. No Landon Donovan as he misses the match (and his 100th Cap) to injury, but DaMarcus Beasley is back.

We’ll give you a sneak peek at the USA’s Starting XI:

Howard

Cherundolo – Onyewu – Bocanegra – Pearce

Dempsey – Clark – Bradley – Beasley

Johnson - Wolff

Here’s your England team…

in a 4-4-2:

James

Brown, Terry (c), Ferdinand, Cole

Beckham, Lampard, Hargreaves, Gerrard

Defoe, Rooney

Ahhhhhh…..  Only one day left until kickoff.  How can you not be excited?

Beans and I are thinking Fox And Hounds in Studio City.

You?

Fabio Capello confirmed today that he has handed the Captains armband to Chelsea’s John Terry for Wednesday’s match against the United States at Wembley.

Terry follows Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand who had led the team out in previous matches under Capello.

Capello has yet to name a Captain for the match against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

image via DailyMail 

There hasn’t been too many holidays (other than Xmas and New Years) that I’ve gotten to spend with my boys.

Ace, Stevland, Beans, Wes and myself were lucky enough to have The Wifey hooking it up for a great meal.  I had to take the pictures, but you can see my Pacifico and plate of grub off of Ace’s right arm.

This was Nesta’s way of getting away from her boyfriend and fellow Bumpy Pitch representative The Duke.  If Nesta started getting annoyed with The Duke, she’d just leap up on top of the table. 

What you looking at foo?

Ace’s crib is the perfect spot for BBQ’s.  Just ask The Wifey.

The English Squad has lost both Michael Owen (virus) and Jermaine Jenas (ankle) ahead of their Wednesday clash with the United States at Wembley.

England Squad: James (Portsmouth), Hart (Man City), Kirkland (Wigan)

Bridge (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), A Cole (Chelsea), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Jagielka (Everton), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Warnock (Blackburn), Wheater (Middlesbrough), Woodgate (Tottenham), Barry (Aston Villa)

Beckham (LA Galaxy), Bentley (Blackburn), J Cole (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Hargreaves (Man Utd), Huddlestone (Tottenham), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea)

Walcott(Arsenal), Young (Aston Villa), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Ashton (West Ham), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Portsmouth), Rooney (Man Utd).

Wonder how the Chelsea boys are handling the disappointments of Premiership and Champions League breakdowns, as well as the firing of their coach?

Well, it’s official. Real Madrid will NOT be coming back to Salt Lake City as planned.

While it hasn’t been announced who will be the replacement for the International game date, RSL had some great teams come through Rice-Eccles Stadium in the form of Boca Juniors, Morelia, the Chinese National Team and Everton in 2007.

Sounds like the Euro - Dollar exchange rate didn’t help the situation at all, but GM Garth Lagerway has his ideas as to who he’d like to bring in.

image via Iran-Daily