As we tuck into lavish helpings of the Gold Cup over the next couple of weeks, a glance across the world of soccer reveals ego and arrogance among Europe’s elite and some injudicious comments closer to home.

Not content in flaunting his $131 million transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid, to anyone who would listen, Portuguese whiz kid Cristiano Ronaldo this week claimed that he is worth every penny of the fee paid for him, and more.

This poor boy is not one for the limelight, you might have guessed, and it’s just awful how the paparazzi hounded him so much that he was forced to crash his Ferrari. Cristiano continued his diplomacy this weekend with an assertion that Spain’s La Liga is better than England’s Premiership.

One tends to remember George Best, arguably the most talented player to ever wear the red of United, and latterly the green shirt of the San Jose Earthquakes, and a question he was once asked about his abilities on the football field. In as humble a way as possible, Best replied that it was not his place to throw bouquets at himself, rather to leave that to others.

A musical comparison of Best and Ronaldo comes to mind -- the Irishman possessing all the wholesome values, albeit with the wayward behavior thrown in, of Elvis, with his modern day counterpart being more akin to the recently departed King of Pop.

How times have changed!

Karim Benzema, a budding French talent with Lyon, wanted to let the world know how much he was coveted by the elite clubs. Not content with just signing a deal to go to Real Madrid, the youngster revealed that he turned down both Manchester United and Barcelona in favor of a move to the Spanish capital, a deal which should be completed in the coming days. Such a "mature" comment is sure to endear the French international to the fans of United and Barca when he plays in their backyards, as he inevitably will this coming season.

Youthful comments are one thing but apparently wily old fox Franz Beckenbauer has also been affected by the superciliousness running through European football this offseason.

The former German World Cup winner and iconic board member at Bayern Munich claims that the club’s prodigious winger, Franck Ribery, is worth even more than Ronaldo. One can attribute a certain amount of financial posturing to most comments regarding potential transfers, but old Franz cannot be serious with this assessment.

Ribery, also a French international, is a superb talent but has not even come close to the level enjoyed by Ronaldo.

Carlos Tevez is another with illusions which aren’t in keeping with many in the game. The Argentinean had the world at his feet at Old Trafford, and was even pleaded with to remain at Manchester United by Sir Alex Ferguson, something the longest serving boss in English football rarely ever does.

But Tevez couldn’t be persuaded and continued to refer to some perceived vendetta against him which stemmed from his not getting enough playing time. The former Corinthians winger is off to United’s bitter rivals, Manchester City, in a transfer which can only be described as punitive towards Ferguson.

Note to Carlos: You won the Premier League, Carling Cup and World Club championship with United last season, and were in the running for five trophies for quite some time. What exactly is it you want?

Landon Donovan was also bitten by the bug this week. Admittedly the USA’s star man from the Confederations Cup has likely had his fill of David Beckham, but his comments will only negatively affect American chances at the World Cup next summer. And let’s hope the Eagles are not drawn in the same group as England, whose fans will make his every touch of the ball a living hell.

At a time when good will towards American soccer was at an all time high, Landon went and put his foot right in it this week:

"All that we care about at a minimum is that he (Beckham) committed himself to us," said the ex-Bayern Munich front man of the English international. "As time has gone on, that has not proven to be the case in many ways -- on the field, off the field. Does the fact that he earns that much money come into it? Yeah. If someone's paying you more than anybody in the league, more than double anybody in the league, the least we expect is that you show up to every game, whether you're suspended or not.

“Show up and train hard. Show up and play hard. Maybe he's not a leader, maybe he's not a captain. Fair enough. But at a minimum you should bust your ass every day. That hasn't happened. I can't even say he's a good teammate anymore."

Nothing like inviting trouble upon yourself, and your teammates, Landon!

So in the meantime we’ll watch with interest the events of the Gold Cup, where the US got off to a flying start, and hope that come next summer in South Africa, all these foot-in-mouth comments are long forgotten.

By David Beard, Globe Staff

Clint Dempsey and the U.S. national soccer team may have had a nightmarish second half against Brazil, but ESPN said the match scored its strongest ratings for a non-World Cup event.

The game was seen on ESPN by 3.945 million viewers in an average of 2.556 million television homes, based on a 2.6 rating, according to the network. The figure does not count those who watched the Spanish-language play-by-play on Univision.

The figure was smaller than several World Cup games broadcast of ESPN's sister network, ABC, which has a broader non-cable audience. The US-Italy match in the 2006 World Cup drew a 4.4 rating and a 6.7 million readers, said Aaron Lewis of Nielsen.

He said that an ESPN2 broadcast two days earlier in 2006 of the US-Czech Republic match drew a 1.9 rating and 2.6 million viewers.

Nielsen's Lewis, who watched Sunday's match with friends, and said the ratings augur well for ESPN's upgraded schedule of international soccer -- including the English Premier League and Spain's La Liga -- in the fall. ''ESPN certainly recognizes these opportunities,'' said Lewis.

On Sunday, Dempsey and Landon Donovan led the American squad to a first-half lead over the Brazilians, who roared back to win the FIFA Confederations Cup final 3-2 in South Africa. It was the first-ever FIFA final for the United States. The much-improved US squad is in the hunt for the top 32 spots to compete in the 2010 World Cup, also in South Africa.

They came, they saw, and they almost conquered the world!

Bob Bradley’s US soccer team had their hearts broken in Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on Sunday, coming within sixteen minutes of one of the biggest shocks in footballing history, yet ultimately failing to lift the Confederations Cup thanks to a late one-two punch from five-time world champions, Brazil.

We kicked every ball with them, held our collective breath through countless Brazilian raids and thought the gods were on our side as the clock ticked down towards full time. But alas it was not to be!

After an enthralling opening half from the Screaming Eagles the underdogs lead 2-0 at the break. Clint Dempsey registered his third goal of the competition after only ten minutes, the Fulham midfielder ghosting into an advanced position and getting the slightest of touches to Jon Spector’s cross before watching the ball drift wide of Julio Caesar and into the corner of the net.

If the American players were in dreamland following Dempsey’s strike they were positively in Heaven seventeen minutes on when Landon Donovan led a breakout from inside his own half. The pint-sized striker fed Chalie Davies on the left and took a wonderful return pass from the former Boston College player. The LA front man still had much to do but produced a deft cut inside his marker, worthy of anyone in a Brazilian shirt, before unleashing an unstoppable shot past the goalkeeper to send his team mates wild with delight.

Suddenly the impossible dream was possible. But Brazil stormed back with a superb second-half display.

Luis Fabiano fired home within mere seconds of the restart, turning the brilliant Jay DeMerit before rifling a left foot shot past Tim Howard.

But the pressure proved too much at the other end and, after seeing Howard steal the ball from his feet, Luis Fabiano was on hand to convert a Kaka cross which skimmed across the face of the goal from the left - Robinho's initial shot hitting the crossbar and falling into the path of his strike partner.

Coming on 74 minutes the equalizer had the effect of dropping US heads and more than a couple of passes went astray in the middle of the park. The Americans had been brilliant under the aerial threat all week, but were found wanting on 84 minutes when Lucio was allowed time and room to meet Elano's corner with thundering header that flew off a post and into Howard's top right-hand corner to complete a remarkable comeback.

In the final analysis this was a tournament which instilled pride in the American soccer public more than any other venture in the past. This was also a tournament for all those soccer moms and dads who devote countless hours of their lives (and gallons of gas) to advancing their kids’ soccer education. Finally the parents can see tangible results and perhaps prospects for their offspring in years to come.

And take it from a European born soccer scribe, this is a team which showed many a nation across the pond about belief in oneself and possessing the courage to take on the so called ‘best in the world.’

The USA will be in next year’s World Cup in South Africa, of that there is little doubt now. Hopefully they’ll have the support of the nation this time around, not the half-hearted effort of years past. And it’s not every day of the week that we see foreigners sporting the star-spangled banner, but judging by the thousands of flag waving neutrals in the crowd at Ellis Park, this team has apparently done more for the image of America abroad than any politician in recent memory.

So move over David Beckham - your time has come and gone. US soccer is now in the hands of the blue collar kids from Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Texas and, more importantly, in the hands of a public which apparently has had its appetite whetted and cannot wait for next summer.

It’s a subject which has been debated for decades, but after all its trials and tribulations in the land of the free and the home of the brave, the time may now be at hand.

Whisper it very quietly: Soccer may finally have arrived in America.

By David Beard, Globe Staff

FINAL: Brazil 3, US 2. Come-from-behind victory crushes huge US effort in its first-ever FIFA championship. After lightning first-half goals by Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, Brazil played stronger and stronger, pushing forward faster in the second half. The American squad seemed to run out of gas, ESPN's Alexi Lalas just said. It was clear -- and no sour grapes here -- that the United States missed Michael Bradley, the headstrong center midfielder who was red-carded in the previous match and ineligible to play on Sunday.

"They probably deserved it in the end,'' a disappointed Donovan said of Brazil. He added that the strengthening US team doesn't want respect anymore -- it just wants victories.

Consolation prizes: The rugged and determined Tim Howard won the tournament's award for best goalkeeper, and Dempsey -- with goals in the three last matches -- won a bronze award for most outstanding player in the tournament (Brazil's Fabiano and Kaka took silver and gold, respectively). It was heart-wrenching to see Dempsey, the former New England Revolution star now playing for Fulham in England, in full sob as he prepared to take his medal.

The loss followed an amazing 3-0 US victory over top-ranked Spain on Wednesday. For those whose soccer tastes were whetted by today's game, mark your calendars: 348 days until the World Cup.

There's a story which, to this day, is still recalled with great fondness by the retired press men of The Irish Times newspaper. It harkens back to a summer's night in June, 1950 when the scribes were all huddled together in the paper's Dublin offices, waiting with baited breath for a soccer result to come across the wire.

At stake was the outcome of the World Cup group game (played in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte) between the prohibitive favorite, England, and a United States team made up of dishwashers, landscapers and semi-professionals. Of a more personal interest to the journalists was a release to their wives and families after a long day's night.

They waited and waited, and finally it came. USA 1 England 0.

The sports editor, summoned from an adjoining office, pulled the page from the teleprinter and... just frowned. Most of the scribes were laughing an excited laugh -- why was the boss so glum? The editor's reasoning was that it had to be a misprint. It just had to be USA 1 England 10. I mean it was obvious wasn't it? Either someone was playing around at the other end, or the '1' on 'England 10' had gotten smudged.

In the absence of further dispatches from South America that was the official explanation, and so in true Pedro Martinez-Grady Little-Yankees style, The Irish Times newspaper began printing the following morning's paper with the headline USA 1 England 10. Only after a subsequent phone call came confirming the shock of all shocks, were the presses halted.

It was one of those days again in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on Wednesday, when America's soccer players shocked the world. They can be proud of themselves, and we should be proud of eleven men who were headed home to a rash of "I told you so's" and "soccer will never work in America's" but survived to take the scalps of the world's number one team, Spain, and that of the Italians whom they sent packing by default on Sunday.

"In all sincerity, only one time in 10 do I think we would lose against them," said Real Madrid goalkeeper and Spanish captain, Iker Casillas, after the Americans upset the world's top-ranked team to reach Sunday's final. "But yesterday, they deserved to reach the final."

He is right on both counts, but kudos nonetheless go to Landon Donovan for his tireless running and countless superb through-balls. Top marks also go to Jozy Altidore for a world class butt-check on Gerard Pique and brilliant finish past Casillas, to former New England Rev, Clint Dempsey for an instinctive finish which was the real game winner, and to Jay DeMerit for a Wyatt-Earp-type job on one of the world's deadliest gunslingers, Fernando Torres.

And while Tim Howard's display between the sticks won't go down alongside the greatest US
performances of all time (Tony Meola and Kasey Keller duly recognized), the Everton stopper was front and center of perhaps the greatest defensive display ever by the Eagles.

So it's onward and upward towards Sunday and a meeting with Brazil (but don't count out South Africa yet). To the youth team leagues across the country -- take my advice and cancel every game. So what if you have to rearrange them at major inconvenience! Your purpose is to instill a love for the game in our kids, is it not? No greater love affair will be found in seeing another good US performance on Sunday.

To the dads who "don't know much about the game" -- sit down and take the time to support your country with your children. It will be your biggest contribution to their soccer upbringing.

And to ESPN -- we love you guys for bringing us all this soccer coverage, and long may it continue. But one of the landmark moments in the nation's soccer evolution deserves better than the mandatory two minutes of after match comment and a quick rush to Rome is Burning.

So roll on Sunday and let's hear it for the boys........GO USA!

Houdini was found wearing a US soccer shirt in Rustenburg, South Africa, on Sunday. The spirit of the world’s best known escape artist was there in abundance as Bob Bradley’s team sprang one of the greatest surprises in international football in recent times.

Should you have felt the urge any time over the last few days to pick up the phone and corral your buddies into a pick-up game of basketball with the newly crowned NBA champions, whadda ya think your chances of beating the Lakers would have been?

Bradley’s lads overcame similar odds through no little effort on their own part. And with some major assistance from Brazil the planets aligned and the pair of 3-0 victories over Egypt and Italy respectively, contrived to send the Azzuri crashing out of the Confederations Cup (and into the arms of a tomato throwing Italian public) while sending the Americans singing and dancing into the semifinals of the competition on Wednesday afternoon (2:30pm, ESPN).

Oh ye of little faith (myself included)! None of us gave the US the proverbial snowball’s chance against the Egyptians, who had already defeated Italy and came within a whisker of taking a point from the Samba Boys. Surely there was no way the twice-defeated Eagles could rise to this particular task.

But rise they did, crushing the Pharos with goals from Charlie Davies, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey while the Brazilians did their part with a curiously easy victory over Italy in Pretoria.

It was a game the nation needed to bear witness to in these challenging times, but if you thought the country was watching (in Superbowl numbers) the action unfold from South Africa with baited breath, well...

It was reminiscent of 1999 when Michael Johnson won the 200m and 400m in Seville. It was something to behold to see the Texan take his lap of honor around the track in the Spanish city with Star-Spangled Banner aloft and the crowd chanting his name. He was the greatest sports ambassador for America in quite some time.

The following day front pages of newspapers from New Zealand to New Brunswick featured photos of the great sprinter. And at home, if you thought we were all tuned into the great event, you’d be sadly mistaken. The Nielsen numbers showed that the country’s sports minded were tuned into…..wait for it….seniors golf, with no coverage of the action from Seville broadcast in the US.

TV habits and trends aside, it’s on to Wednesday and a meeting with the world’s top ranked team. Sorry to say but it will be the end of the party for the US. I will be so glad for them to prove me wrong.

No matter. On a day when they wore their national pride on their sleeves, Landon, Clint, Jon Spector and Jay DeMerit were superb in a superb team performance. And at the very least, the Americans will return home from the African continent with fond memories and a "can do" attitude for 2010.

A disastrous performance in San Jose, Costa Rica, an ignominious defeat to Italy in the Confederations Cup with perhaps more of the same to come against the Brazilians, and the prospect of being forced to fight all the way to secure World Cup qualification means that US soccer fans face a decidedly nervous next few months.

While the Ticos were always a tough nut to crack, the manner in which Bob Bradley’s team was swept aside, two weeks ago, and their subsequent struggles with Honduras in Chicago, underlines a change at altitude in CONCACAF football.

Not so long ago Brian McBride, Joe Max, Tab Ramos and Co. would have been backed to see off the Catrachos in short order, but no more apparently. Carlos Costly netted an early goal at Soldier Field and it was not until twenty minutes remaining that the home boys finally pulled ahead. Even then the Central Americans were unlucky not to steal a late point.

Not the type of form Bradley would have wanted to take to South Africa and the Confederatons Cup, and typically, once in open waters, the screaming eagles found themselves out of their depth against more sophisticated opposition.

A quick glance at the CONCACAF qualifying bracket sees the USA looking up at leaders Costa Rica, with Honduras three points worse off and Mexico one further back. But should the Aztecas complete their comeback from the brink of disaster, as coach Javier Aguirre claims they will in defeating the Ould Enemy in the heat of Mexico on August 12, then it’s ‘game on’ across the Rio Grande.

Trips to San Salvador and San Pedro Sula in September and October respectively could complicate the process, but reality suggests that Bob Bradley’s team will eventually make it to next year’s World Cup.

"Eventually" may mean via a complicated playoff for the fourth-placed CONCACAF nation leading to a home-and-home meeting with the fifth best in South America -- take your pick from Ecuador or Uruguay. It shouldn’t come to that, but even so the power seems to have gone out of the US punch at present –--Clint Dempsey bears all the signs of a tired Premier League player, Jozy Altidore hasn’t lived up to expectations, and DaMarcus Beasley has seen better days in his country’s colors.

Or perhaps US soccer has stagnated while others have raised their game.

When all is said and done, hopefully with the US safely installed at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa next summer, these may be remembered as the good old days for US fans.

Football folk in other parts of the world, and particularly in Europe, will quite rightly point to that continent having to forego one of its qualifying slots to accommodate CONCACAF (and quite likely be placated by FIFA next time around), where only the Mexicans have traditionally succeeded at the big show.

Former Brazilian national team stars Careca, Juninho Paulista, and Zinho are part of a veteran’s group which will meet the Boston Braves FC in an exhibition match at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at Manning Field in Lynn.

Braves’ president Spiros Tourkakis set up the match, hoping for a reunion of the 1994 World Cup championship team. So far, Zinho, a starting midfielder, plus reserve defender Ronaldao and striker Viola have committed from the ’94 group, and others are considering the chance to perform.

Amoroso, a forward who played in Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A, Dodo, and Ivan are also expected to play.

The Braves are a veteran’s team, formed in 2001. They have played host to an Israel select squad and have competed at Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo (Argentina); Anderlecht (Belgium); Botafogo and Santos (Brazil); Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United (England); Monaco (France); Hamburg and Bayern Munich (Germany); Panathinaikos (Greece); Juventus (Italy); America and Cruz Azul (Mexico); Ajax (The Netherlands); CSKA and Dynamo Moscow (Russia); Barcelona and Real Madrid (Spain).

Manning Field, renovated last year, will have capacity for about 5,000 spectators. The stadium was the home of the Shamrock Rovers of the United Soccer Association in 1967.

Behind the return of striker Taylor Twellman, the New England Revolution won their first match since April 4, defeating D.C. United, 2-1 at Gillette Stadium.

Twellman made his season debut tonight and was part of a series of events that led to the Revolution's game-winning goal. D.C. United's Bryan Namoff pulled down Twellman in the box and was given the foul that led to a penalty kick.

Steve Ralston converted the penalty kick to give the Revolution the 2-1 win, ending a six-game winless streak.

Twellman's return proved to be a boost for the Revolution. Twellman has not played a match since October because of problems connected to a neck injury he suffered in August.

United didn't take it easy on Twellman in his return, as he was knocked around and pushed to the ground a few times. Following the game, Twellman said he was happy to return to the field.

"It's a little emotional just from the sense that it's been a long haul," Twellman said. "It's been eight months of trying to guess what's going on, I just thank God that I figured it out. Now granted, I didn't expect to play 70 minutes tonight, and get punched in the face right away. So we'll see it was obviously a good test. We'll see how I feel tomorrow and Monday."

Hate to say I told ya so! No…..on second thought, I’m actually delighted to say it!

Delighted that my instincts, in picking the best team I have seen in my lifetime, prevailed in the face of vehement protests about other "much better" clubs considered for that honor.

Manchester United fans seem to agree that their heroes lost the Champions League final to a better outfit, although the diehards would surely never admit it in public. If they were honest with themselves, the denizens of Old Trafford would describe Barcelona not as "better" but "far superior" to the team Alex Ferguson put out on Wednesday evening.

No shame in that -- the Spaniards have played almost everyone they’ve met this season off the proverbial park.

And Chelsea fans…please! Are you lot still convinced that your team is better than the Spanish League and Cup winners, and now champions of Europe? Oh yeah, that’s right, you still conveniently forget Ballack handling the ball in the penalty area after four minutes at Stamford Bridge?

Chelsea are an exceptional team, but, like United, were totally outclassed by Barcelona in this season’s Champions League.

Barca, the best in Europe, can be expanded to "best in the world" most fans would agree. Although they’ll meet, and may even struggle against (European teams always do for some inexplicable reason) the best South America has to offer in the World Club championship later this year, rest assured there is no team in the Americas who would have made the last four of Europe’s premier club competition.

Barca... the best team ever? They were talking about it in TV studios across Europe on Wednesday evening, which is recognition in itself. Some ventured to go that far, others cited the Catalans’ lack of defensive acumen as a possible stumbling block (artists are generally recognized by the masses long after their wonder years, aren’t they?).

But there are none as blind as those who will not see. I ask them: who needs defense when you can control the ball for most of the game, and when your offense is as potent and attack-minded as is Barcelona’s? That’s the way the game should be played -- create your own defense by striking fear into the hearts of your opponents via possession and attacking football.

"Best team on the planet", "best team of all time", and "the greatest game ever played’" are all labels I have used in describing Barcelona this season (the latter was attributed to Pep Guardiola’s men following their recent 6-2 victory at Real Madrid, while simultaneously considering the great performances of the Brazilian, Italian, German and Dutch national teams over the years, not to mention those from Liverpool, Manchester United and AC Milan).

The sideshow was all about Ronaldo and Messi, a duel which the Argentine won handily; but what about Andres Iniesta? Has he not earned the right to be considered among the world’s best? And who of you noticed the carefully chosen words of Ronaldo within hours of the final whistle in Rome?

The Portuguese winger who pledged his future to Manchester United just days ago all but blamed Ferguson for defeat in referring to his team’s poor tactics on the night. Open season then for transfer speculation -- and a now typical M.O. of the current World Player of the Year. Expect to see him in Spain this summer with Real or even Barca.

But if the PA system at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night wasn’t blasting out the lyrics of Tina Turner’s song "Simply the Best", in recognition of the best soccer team in the world, then it ought to have.

I hope you’ll join me in hailing Barcelona F.C, the Spanish League and Cup winners, and European champions, as the greatest football team that ever lived.

Former Revolution midfielders Jose Cancela and William Sunsing were members of the Liberia Mia club which won the Costa Rica championship this week. Liberia became only the second team from outside the Central Valley population center to win the championship.

Cancela performed as a second-half substitute in Liberia’s 3-0 victory over Herediano in the second leg of the title playoff Tuesday in Heredia, on the outskirts of San Jose. The first Liberia goal was a penalty kick converted by former Los Angeles Galaxy defender Michael Umana.

Herediano’s Andy Herron, who played for Chicago and Columbus in the MLS, led the league with 10 goals.

It was with heavy hearts that most neutral soccer fans laid their heads to rest on Sunday evening. The events of the day in the English Premier League had seen the much-loved Newcastle club have their hopes boosted by a spectacular Manchester United goal at Hull, only to see them dashed by a cruelly deflected own-goal at Aston Villa, which put an end to their top flight existence.

In the aftermath of this catastrophe the hot dogs on the Memorial Day barbecue didn’t quite taste the same while Tyneside fans were facing up to life in the far less glamorous Championship after living the good life for the last 16 years. Indeed it was only four years ago that the northeast club was considered as one of English football’s "top five" -- a quintet of teams who were the only ones capable of winning the Premiership.

That "top five" was soon reduced as the Geordies drifted out of the financial reckoning, leaving a Gang of Four -- Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal as the only clubs capable of winning England’s top prize. It has been suggested that the Gunners are about to be cut adrift as the other three continue to monopolize the money and success -- a notion which may be confirmed in the coming season (all of which is a good advertisement of the American style salary cap).

So who is to blame for the demise of Newcastle United?

It’s easy to blame pubic enemy number one, Mike Ashley, but the portly supporter-turned-owner never took to the field in the black and white. His wallet was open for the most part, and although he is said to have meddled too much in team affairs, several players who were considered top international class when bought were brought in because of his funding.

Kevin Keegan apparently saw the smoke caused by the intrusive owner but was the only one to leave when he yelled "fire". Is the former England manager and self-proclaimed Geordie fans lover to blame?

Perhaps cleanup man Chris Hughton, who steps in whenever there is a managerial casualty, is the culprit? Or perhaps heart attack victim and predecessor to the current boss, Joe Kinnear, took the club in the wrong direction?

Newcastle was placed in the hands of its favorite son, Alan Shearer, for the final weeks of the season, and although the enthusiasm and emotion of the fans was palpable following his appointment, the living legend failed to postpone the inevitable in Birmingham on Sunday.

Surely the great man isn’t to blame?

Perhaps the aforementioned, folks who surely had the club’s best interests at heart, were victims of the times in which we live.

Consider the plight of Leeds United, a giant of the English game who featured in a couple of European club finals in their time and went close again only to lose out to Valencia in the 2001 Champions League semifinal. There were lots of long faces at Bolton on that May day in 2004 when the Yorkshire club were relegated, but the tears of one young boy in their midst remains with me to this day. Ditto Nottingham Forest.

So who is responsible for the demise of Newcastle United?

Possibly no one.

The truth is that the modern day club needs an economist as much as someone who can put the ball in the net. And perhaps clubs like Newcastle (and Leeds) need to return to bygone times when they produced their own talent (with the aid of proper coaching) instead of importing expensive foreigners with no real connection to their employers other than the pay check.

Of the future of his beloved Newcastle, Shearer said on Sunday, "It needs to be filled with people who love this club. We have to get over what happened at Aston Villa. We need to look at it with a clear head. I will give them (the owners) my opinion on what is wrong and what needs to be done.”

Those of us saddened by the plight of Newcastle United certainly hope he gets it right.

It was coronation time all across Europe this weekend, as kings were crowned in Italy, Spain and England.

Inter Milan celebrated another Serie A title with a 3-0 victory at home to Siena on Sunday evening. The Nerazzuri had been crowned champions on Saturday night after closest challengers and city rivals AC Milan went down 2-0 at Udinese.

But any thoughts that Jose Mourinho’s outfit would take their foot off the gas were dispelled as goals from Argentina’s Esteban Cambiasso, and Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic secured the win.

Milan's hold on second place was strengthened as Juventus could only manage a 2-2 home draw with Atalanta.

SPAIN

In Spain there were wild celebrations in Catalonia on Saturday night after Real Madrid fell to a 3-2 defeat at Villareal, a result which handed the title to Barcelona.

But the Champions League finalists’ celebrations fell flat on Sunday as they surrendered a one-goal advantage to slip to a 2-1 defeat at Real Mallorca.

Samuel Eto'o netted after ten minutes to set the expected tone, but from there on it was a disappointing day for both player and club, as the striker missed a hatful of chances -- including a last-gasp penalty.

At the other end a fine strike from the impressive Juan Arango, who may be on his way to the Nou Camp next term, and a deft Loureiro Santana header sealed the points for the hosts.

Twenty-four hours earlier, two-time reigning champions Real Madrid relinquished their crown after slumping to defeat on the south coast.

Lying eight points behind pacesetters Barca with three games remaining, Madrid needed to defeat Villareal at El Madrigal to keep the title race alive.

But goals from Robert Pires, Ruben Cani and Joan Capdevila cancelled out efforts from Madrid duo Rafael Van der Vaart and Gonzalo Higuain to give the Yellow Submarine a much-needed boost in their hunt for a Champions League spot and hand Barca the title.

ENGLAND

Manchester United gained the point that was expected of them as Arsenal visited Old Trafford on Saturday, thereby retaining the Premier League trophy and lifting England’s top club prize for a record-equaling 18th time.

The Red Devils now share the honor of most successful domestic club with Liverpool, who amazingly, have not won the Premiership since its inception in the early 90’s. United’s title victory came at an apparent cost however as star man and Argentinean international Carlos Tevez declared he was leaving United.

Tevez has apparently not seen eye to eye with coach Alex Ferguson, and just hours after the red half of the city of Manchester celebrated, the little maestro said he would be leaving -- and possibly heading to one of United’s arch-rivals, Manchester City or Liverpool.

The Merseysiders defeated West Brom on Sunday to send the Baggies crashing down a division and remain in second place. Chelsea enjoyed success in their penultimate outing -- a 2-0 success at home to Blackburn -- and remain third.

The distinct possibility, sad as it may be, exists that world famous club, Newcastle, will be relegated next Sunday, the last day of play in the Premier League.

No disrespect to the fans of Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Arsenal, or indeed to fans of any soccer team anywhere, but when is everyone going to wake up? The reason Chelsea are out of a dream Champions League final rematch with United is because, in large part they were some way inferior to Barcelona, but also because of the average football fan who sits and follows the action from his living room.

How so?

Well, we have a voice - hundreds of millions of voices around the world to be honest. And only when we (the Joe Average fans) petition the world governing body (FIFA) in enough numbers to change this idiotic method of deciding a game (i.e., one 'older' referee chasing around twenty-two 'younger' players who are bent on gaining an edge, by fair means or foul) will anything be done.

I remember as a kid watching Leeds United being 'cheated' out of the 1973 Cup Winners Cup final versus AC Milan, by the actions of an incompetent referee. That was almost four decades ago and such travesties of soccer justice have been occurring almost on a daily basis ever since. It's only when we see the stakes magnified, as they were at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening that the outcry becomes exponentially audible. Tom Henning Ovrebo was the man at the center of the controversy which has seen the Norwegian official receive death threats since, and UEFA, Europe's governing body, called into question over their appointment of what has been perceived as a weak referee. There also have been allegations that UEFA's President and oft opponent of the English style game, Michel Platini, has conspired to do whatever he could to avoid an all-English final in Rome on May 27 - a notion which should be trashed alongside all the great conspiracy theories of our time.

Abject refereeing has been part and parcel of the game since time began and will continue until its governing bodies take the appropriate measures to fix the problem. In the past instant replay has been laughed off the stage by those who seek to preserve the 'purity' of soccer. How pure then were the events of Wednesday night or indeed of 24 hours earlier at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium where Manchester came, saw and conquered?

That contest was marred by another horrendous refereeing decision, one which saw United's Darren Fletcher red carded for a non-existent foul.

The following are the best two solutions available to the world's most popular sport (a) at the very minimum, two referees and four assistants for every major game, and (b) (a) plus instant replay.

If you oppose either solution, then accept the garbage which goes on presently and don't complain about it.

One other thing! I would have red carded Darren Fletcher at the Emirates on Tuesday night, and I would have been wholly wrong in my decision. Reason for my would be error is that I am only human and cannot see through a player - Fletcher and an Arsenal defender stood between referee and ball which left the official completely unsighted.

And just for the record - I was once a player and am now a referee.

For those soccer fans who witnessed the Spanish League encounter between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday, they have traveled to and touched the summit of sport (there can be no higher place). For those who missed out, they might just as well have made the trip to Heaven only to turn around at the Gate.

There should be no comparing -- and there is no comparison in this writer’s mind -- anything which has gone before in the 146 years of the game, to the events at the Bernabeu on Saturday, where the visitors netted six breathtaking goals in an eight-goal extravaganza.

I have been witness to the superstar Brazil teams of the 1970’s and 80’s, to French flair, and to the Liverpool sides under Shankly, Paisley and Fagan, to various forms of brilliance displayed by Ajax, the Dutch (in a 6-1 mauling of Yugoslavia), Italian and German national teams, and AC Milan and Manchester United, to name but a very few. Nothing from the aforementioned however touched the football displayed in the Spanish capital on Saturday night.

If one pass by either team went astray over the ninety minutes, it has long since been consigned to the nether regions of the mind. Instead there are memories of awesome goals, of course, but, more pertinently, of the most wonderfully intricate moves imaginable, where Toure, Puyol, Messi, Henry, Eto’o and Alves danced to the tunes called by Iniesta and Xavi.

Most observers were left dumbfounded for ninety incredible minutes, and even Spanish great and Real central striker Raul was moved to congratulate the winners:

"To suffer such a defeat as this at home, seeing how comfortable the other team is and how they are enjoying themselves, makes you feel helpless."

That’s not to say that the white-shirted team didn’t contribute. Gonzalo Higuain was at his brilliant best, as was Lassana Diarra, and scarcely has a Galactico goalkeeper performed better than Iker Casillas did on the night.

By comparison, the fare at the JJB Stadium or at Sunderland or even Liverpool just wasn’t up to the standard of what can only be described as -- take it from me-- the "greatest football game ever played".

And, when all is said and done, the Spanish champions elect will need to curtail their attacking ambitions considerably if they’re to even begin to contemplate victory at Chelsea in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final (ESPN 2 at 2:45pm). A statement of the respective priorities of the teams involved perhaps?

ENGLAND

The Premier League title race was due for a twist of fate, or two, in the final weeks of the campaign, according to one or two experts. That ‘vaulted’ opinion appears to be slightly misguided after Manchester United took another step towards retaining their crown with to a 2-0 win at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Ryan Giggs drilled home a rather fortunate opener after 25 minutes (the ball touching two United hands in the build up), and Park Ji-Sung ripped a left foot shot into the bottom corner following Wayne Rooney's reverse pass six minutes after the break.

United, who left out Cristiano Ronaldo, Edwin van der Sar, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Anderson ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League semi-final decider at Arsenal, were six points clear of Liverpool on Saturday evening, the Merseysiders entertaining Newcastle at Anfield on Sunday.

Boro stay three points ahead of bottom side West Brom, though, as Jermaine Jenas' 43-minute curler saw the Baggies go down 1-0 to Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Substitute Jermain Defoe looked to have added a second after the break, but it was harshly disallowed for offside.

Chelsea got off to a flying start against Fulham at Stamford Bridge, which set them up for a 3-1 win over their west London rivals.

Nicolas Anelka put them ahead in the first minute, rounding off a fine team move with a cool side-foot finish.

Erik Nevland equalized with an angled drive across Petr Cech just three minutes later, but Florent Malouda was quick to put the Blues back in front.

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba made the points safe in the 53rd minute as Guus Hiddink's men moved level on points with Liverpool, having played a game more.

A howler from David James set Arsenal on their way to a 3-0 win against Portsmouth, the England goalkeeper letting Nicklas Bendtner's back post header slip through his hands.

Bendtner slotted his second from the penalty spot after Sean Davis was adjudged to have brought down Andrey Arshavin as the Gunners went in firmly in control at Fratton Park. And Carlos Vela sealed the points with an assured finish in the second half.

And on Sunday Liverpool pushed ten-man Newcastle closer toward the brink of relegation as they kept their own title hopes alive with a 3-0 victory at Anfield.

The Geordies were outplayed as the Reds kept the pressure on leaders Manchester United with first-half goals from Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt, and a late header from Lucas.

The win puts Rafael Benitez's men back within three points of the Red Devils -- who have a game in hand -- with Newcastle's plight worsening when Joey Barton was sent off for a bad tackle on Xabi Alonso with 11 minutes left.

The home crowd, some 44,000 of them chanted to the Newcastle manager: "You should have stayed on the telly". To his credit, Alan Shearer saw the funny side, but events on the pitch mean the northeast club are three points adrift of safety having played a game more than Hull.

You will have received the soccer camp flyers by now and probably already muddied up the kitchen calendar with notes on last days of school, camp beginnings, and car pooling. That little memo about the fee deadline date is probably pushed to the margins via a double italic or color differential.

That's what's on paper. In your mind you'll have, before all is said and done, 44 parents to talk to, 179 phone calls to make and 1,865 trips to make back and forth to the soccer field. And don't forget the bottled water.

If you are prepared to invest such time and effort in your youngster's chosen future then why not sample the waters first. A litmus test of all soccer enthusiasm will emerge over the coming eight days, beginning with Tuesday's Champions League semifinal game between Barcelona and Chelsea, which is broadcast on ESPN 2 (2:45 p.m.).

Sure, they'll come home from school, leave a trail of book bags and jackets in their wake and demand a sandwich. They'll then flip to Nickelodeon or Hannah Montana and put their feet on the furniture.

But if the aforementioned game, which will be attended by 100,000 screaming fans amid a festival of color in the Spanish night sky, doesn't get the juices flowing and Wednesday's (April 29) encore of Manchester United v Arsenal (the other half of the final four) doesn't have them pulling the plug on your vacuuming, then perhaps there are indications that your summer camp plans are, well, a little wide of the net.

The rubber games in both semifinals occur next Tuesday and Wednesday -- by now there should be friends over unexpectedly, parents handing around and an empty fridge amid shouts and screams from the living room.

The Champions League semifinals will be watched in almost every country over the next eight days -- the contests will showcase the best talent in the world and the game of soccer doesn't get any better than this. Use this logic when suggesting politely to your children that they might like to sit down comfortably and sample the atmosphere (put another way, "you better watch this and like it or you can forget about goofing off with your friends at that camp in June.")

With the English soccer season heading toward its volcanic conclusion, competitions (MLB, NBA and even MLS authorities should take note of the plural) are approaching their respective endings in the coming weeks.

Away from regular league activity the FA Cup semi-finals took place at the new Wembley over the weekend, with Chelsea and Everton winning through to the big decider at the expense of Arsenal and a watered-down Manchester United,respectively.

In Sunday's Everton-United contest fans were on the edge of their seats through ninety nervous minutes plus a further half hour of extra time. But with no goals scored, the game was taken to a penalty shootout where America’s number one, Tim Howard, stood up to repel United’s first two kickers, and in the process sent his team and their disbeliving fans celebrating all the way into Monday morning and beyond.

Howard was mobbed by his teammates when the final whistle blew, as the reality sunk in that the Toffees had just derailed United's bid for an unprecendented quintuple of World Club Championship, Carling Cup, FA Cup, Premiership and Champions League. United remain firmly on course for four of the above trophies, but Everton and Howard will have their moment in the sun on May 30 when they meet mighty Chelsea in a game which is bigger in the sporting world than the Superbowl.

A former United stalwart like Howard, Philip Neville will also remember last Sunday with a degree of fondness. A disarmingly honest professional, Neville hardly fits the "racy" image of the modern day footballer, and he is humble enough to publicly recall the day he tried swapping shirts with members of the Real Madrid team.

Following a memorable European night at Old Trafford, Neville knocked on the away team's locker room, handed his shirt to the Real kit man and waited patiently. A few minutes later the door opened and an outstretched arm thrust Neville's red Manchester United shirt straight back at him. The message, apparently, was that world beaters Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Raúl and Ronaldo all considered their vestments in higher regard.

There was also an occassion, last season versus Fiorentina in the Uefa Cup, when Phil sheepishly volunteered to take a penalty for the Toffees in a shoot-out, but his manager "pretended he couldn't hear me.”

But Neville exorcised any personal ghosts he may have had on Sunday last, and like Howard, stood up in front of the world to be counted. For both men there continues to be life after Manchester United.

On the Premiership front the big guns were all silent at the weekend, but they will flex their muscles on Tuesday (Manchester United face off against Portsmouth while Arsenal meet Liverpool), while Barcelona and Inter Milan are set to be crowned champions of Spain and Italy respectively in the coming weeks.

Clint Dempsey may one day be recalled as the best ever American export to the Premier League, and if so the former New England midfielder will remember with a degree of fondness days like this past Sunday at Manchester City’s Eastlands stadium.

The Texan scored a goal on either side of halftime to point Fulham toward an important 3-1 victory in England’s second city. Dempsey’s team moved up to eighth position with the victory and will be facing the pleasant prospect of European football next season should they leapfrog West Ham into seventh spot in the last few weeks of the season.

The current campaign is one of the best in recent memory for the Craven Cottage outfit, and if the gravy train does stop by their humble south London address at season’s end, one can be sure that the club’s fans will remember the performances of their prized American international.

Dempsey’s compatriots Brad Friedel and Tim Howard faced off against one another, albeit a football field apart, as Everton traveled to Aston Villa on Sunday. Howard’s teammates were up for the fight and had Everton 3-1 in front as the game entered the final quarter. But James Milner and Gareth Barry netted late goals to give Villa a point and keep them ahead of the Blues in the standings, and firmly in the hunt for European football next term.

Away from the chasing pack the Premier League title race remains too close to call after Liverpool and Manchester United registered victories again on Saturday. The Merseysiders overhauled their bitter northwest rivals at the summit after a Fernando Torres brace helped them to a 4-0 victory over Blackburn, only for the Red Devils to leapfrog the Anfield club later in the day following a 2-1 victory at Sunderland.

Italian teenager Federico Macheda scored his second consecutive winner in the league as Alex Ferguson's side fended off disaster at the Stadium of Light. The result means that United remain a point clear of Liverpool with a game in hand.

After a moment’s silence in memory of the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, Torres lifted the mood at Anfield within five minutes with a sublime opener, the Spaniard taking Jamie Carragher's lofted ball down on his chest with his back to goal, turning as it bounced and looping it over Paul Robinson from the corner of the box.

The former Atletico Madrid man headed a second after 33 minutes from Xabi Alonso's free-kick, and Daniel Agger made it three with a swerving long-range effort in the 83rd minute before substitute David Ngog's header put the gloss on the win in injury time.

At the Stadium of Light, United looked comfortable when Paul Scholes' 18th-minute header gave them the lead against Sunderland, but Kenwyne Jones equalized 10 minutes into the second half, heading the ball down and prodding it over the line from three yards.

However, Macheda came off the bench to divert Michael Carrick's shot past Craig Gordon in the 75th minute with his first touch to keep United at the top of the pile.

Third-placed Chelsea kept in touch with a 4-3 win against Bolton, who staged a remarkable comeback at Stamford Bridge having been 4-0 down with 20 minutes to go.

Michael Ballack put the Blues ahead in the first half and Didier Drogba doubled the lead three minutes after the break, poking the ball home after Frank Lampard had surprised the Bolton defence with a low delivery from a free-kick.

A Lampard penalty and Drogba's second made victory look like a formality for Guus Hiddink's side, but the visitors conjured three goals in eight minutes, strikes from Andy O'Brien, Chris Basham and Matthew Taylor setting up a nervy finale.

Arsenal went nine points clear of Aston Villa in the final Champions League spot after coming from behind to win 4-1 at Wigan.

Mido's snapshot crept under Lukasz Fabianski in the 18th minute, but Arsene Wenger's side stormed back after the break, Theo Walcott, Mikael Silvestre, Andrey Arshavin and Alex Song all scoring to secure a comfortable victory.

SPAIN

Real Madrid kept in touch (albeit six points back) with Primera Division leaders Barcelona on Sunday thanks to a workmanlike 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid at the Bernabeu.

Juande Ramos's club were a long way off peak form, but a goal in each half from Raul and Arjen Robben settled a dull encounter.

Third-placed Sevilla slumped to their fifth home defeat of the season with Getafe's Jaime Gavilan netting the only goal eight minutes from time.

Valencia moved above local rivals Villarreal and into the final Champions League place following a 3-2 win at Sporting Gijon.

On Saturday, leaders Barcelona had moved another step closer to the title after seeing off Recreativo Huelva, 2-0, thanks to an inspired display from Andres Iniesta.

Iniesta scored the opening goal inside the first minute and was also heavily involved in Barca's second midway through the second half, his low cross being turned into his own net by Recre defender Nasief Morris.

Lionel Messi also missed a late penalty for Barca but it made little difference to the outcome.

ITALY

Inter Milan threw away a two-goal lead at home to Palermo on Saturday but remain at the top of Serie A after second placed Juventus failed to take advantage later in the day.

Inter were looking comfortable after Mario Balotelli's strike and a penalty from Zlatan Ibrahimovic had them streets ahead at the break, but two goals in three minutes brought Palermo level as Edison Cavani and Davide Succi netted.

However, Juventus could not take advantage as Genoa continued their march towards the Champions League next season with victory at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Thiago Motta put the home side ahead in the 29th minute, but a controversial penalty from Alessandro Del Piero brought Juve level just before halftime.

Motta restored Genoa's advantage deep into first-half stoppage time before Mauro Camoranesi was shown a red card for Juventus, but Vincenzo Iaquinta pegged Genoa back again five minutes from the end.

But Raffaele Palladino earned Genoa all three points in the 88th minute to take them back above Fiorentina into fourth place.

Juve's loss allowed AC Milan to close to within two points of second place with a 1-0 win over Chievo in Verona. Clarence Seedorf got the only goal of the game early in the second half.

In one of the most controversial contests of the season, struggling Lazio beat Roma in a thrilling capital derby.

Lazio triumphed 4-2 in a game that saw three players sent off. Goals from Goran Pandev and Mauro Zarate put Lazio in command early on but Philippe Mexes cut the deficit in half 10 minutes into the game.

Lazio's Stephan Lichtsteiner restored his team's two-goal advantage before the hour mark and Roma received a further blow when defender Christian Panucci was given his marching orders soon after.

After Lazio's Francesco Matuzalem and Mexes were sent off as well with 15 minutes remaining, Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi made it 3-2 with 10 minutes left. But Lazio defender Aleksander Kolarov wrapped up the win five minutes from time. Roma are now six points behind fifth-placed Fiorentina, while Lazio are down in ninth.

Gillette Stadium is among 70 potential sites on the list of the USA bid committee for 2018/2022 World Cup. Though Gillette's capacity (68,000) does not rank among the top 12, but Foxborough's soccer tradition and the area's successful staging of the '94 World Cup will work in its favor, according to US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati.

"We want to be in large markets," Gulati said during a conference call. "Size is important but not all stadiums are going to be 80,000-plus."

Gulati said artificial turf at stadia such as Gillette and Qwest Field in Seattle would not be a factor, because a grass surface can be installed.

A total of 11 groups are expected to have bids evaluated by FIFA in May 2010. Next year's World Cup will be held in South Africa and the 2014 event is set for Brazil. The USA bid committee has set a preliminary goal of averaging 75,000 attendance for the 64-match tournament.

Foxboro Stadium attracted more than 324,000 spectators for six World Cup matches in 1994. Gillette, which opened in 2002, and most modern NFL stadia have been constructed to World Cup specifications.

Programming of Champions League games has often presented difficulties for ESPN in the US. Should the network feature English, Italian, or Spanish clubs? You can't go wrong with Barcelona or Real Madrid, at least among neutral fans. Milan has had a strong appeal because of its style of play and multi-national roster.

But Milan and Real Madrid are long gone from the Champions League competition this time, and making the best choice is not always simple, anyway. Manchester United is a powerhouse club, the Champions League defending, and is in the running for five cups this season; it also has one of the largest groups of followers in the world -- but many soccer fans detest the Red Devils.

In recent months, the problem of which club to focus on seems to have been solved, Champions League matches being transmitted by ESPN 360, allowing viewers access to nearly every game. Soccer emerged as ESPN 360's most popular feature during the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, the popular stories involving office workers and students stealing looks at matches on their computers.

Now, the idea is take the viewing experience a step further, by holding viewing parties at soccer bars. The event started this week at the Banshee, McGanns, Lir, and Phoenix Landing in Boston and at locations in New York and Washington, D.C.

"With soccer, we know there is a passionate fan base around the country and a lot of times the gathering place for them is soccer bars," said Damon Phillips, vice president of ESPN 360. "So, we've partnered with bars to liven the atmosphere, even though soccer is one sport that needs it the least, given the passion involved in the sport. But this is a way to connect with fans and reward them for their loyalty to the sport."

The Manchester United-Porto (2-2) and Villareal-Arsenal (1-1) games were screened Tuesday. The Liverpool-Chelsea and Barcelona-Bayern Munich games will be transmitted at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.

"ESPN is on the cutting edge of technology, and we are constantly looking at different programming the use of technology," Phillips said. "The next two weeks are just awesome, because of the teams playing. And this allows fans to watch both games every day."