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Dan Borislaw hijacking the magic out of women's professional soccer

What a blow to women's soccer after that magnificent exposition by the US national team at the CONCACAF Olympics qualifiers. The WPS has decided to cancel the 2012 season after running into a retaliatory lawsuit bought by the former owner of the magicJack, Dan Borislow. From Philly.com:

" The Board voted on Monday morning to suspend the 2012 season. Over the last year the league has faced significant challenges, including a lengthy and expensive legal battle with a former owner. The litigation has diverted resources from investment in the league and has forced the Board to take action, suspending the 2012 season in order to address the legal issues head-on before moving forward with competition."

During Borislaw's tenure as magicJack owner, the franchise earned the dubious distinction of being named as the worst run franchise in pro-sports. He ran it like a sweat shop without any adherence to rules or regulations. Borislaw fired coach Mike Lyons after three games and took over coaching duties with the help of Christine Rampone.

The franchise ran afoul of the WPS players union and magicJack team members who filed a grievance with the league that accused Borislaw of a number of charges, most seriously a " clear failure to behave in a dignified manner. They also demonstrate his practice of bullying and threatening players, and his creation of a hostile, oppressive, and intimidating work environment which adversely affects players' ability to perform."

The WPS decided to dock the franchise a point and a draft pick for not meeting league standards. On October 28th, 2011, the WPS decided to terminate the magicJack for a whole host of violations ranging from, "unprofessional and disparaging treatment of his players to failure to pay his bills."

The WPS has said that they are determined to be back for the 2013 season.

" WPS has established its plans to return to play in 2013, and all five owners of the League's existing teams - Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC and Western New York Flash - will remain active with the CEO, Jennifer O'Sullivan, in the governance of WPS throughout the current year."

A year could be out of sight, out of mind. Unless Borislaw changes his mind. If not, many of the US players could relocate to the European leagues which would welcome their talent and offer lucrative contracts. This would also keep them match fit for the Olympics and beyond. But once again, the question remains, does women's professional soccer have a future in this country? It's a strange conundrum to see the WPS filled with some of the best contemporary talent in the world shrink, while the MLS attracting the second tier and the reinvented, adds franchises year after year.

For all you Hope Solo fans. Here she is in DWTS with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. She lost it a few times with her routine but on the pitch she rarely loses it and that's where it counts. Great to see her have some fun while she carries on with a full plate with the national team. Its a pretty grueling schedule. Landon Donovan sighting at 4:23.

To vote for Hope and Maks, you can call that number on the screen or follow them here.

If you noticed like I did a pint sized player who took over midfield for the Philadelphia Independence in Sunday's semi-final against the MagicJack and wondered idly, "She is something special", don't go into the scouting business just yet.

Veronica Boquete is already out there and is the WPS player of the year because she is special. For those who've followed her career in Spain, her exploits for the Independence come as no surprise. In the 8 months since she joined she has led them to the final scoring 5 goals and providing 4 assists. Three of those goals have proven to be match winners.

Boquete is listed as a striker but her versatility lies in her attacking midfielder role where she shows Cesc Fabregas like vision with her passes. She might have something to say about that because she played for FCD Espanyol at the Cornella Prat, fierce derby rivals of Barca for a season before Independence coach Paul Riley brought her to Chester in January. The Independence have since gone 10-1-1 when she plays. Their record without her is a less stellar 2-3-2. Which sums up what instant impact is all about.

"When she is in the line-up, the rules say that we win the game," laughed Riley.

The semi-finals against the MagicJack pitted them against a side which boasted nine internationals who had done duty in the recent World Cup. Amongst them Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, Christy Rampone, Lisa De Vanna, and Shannon Boxx. A side packed with talented individuals with a track record of changing the game in an instant. But it was Boquete showing her patience and touch on the ball who opened up the game for Amy Rodriguez and Natasha Kai. The movement on and off the ball was quite outstanding and behind it all was Boquete playing conductor. The Independence came ever closer to scoring but Kai and Rodriguez proved a trifle wasteful.

There was a moment of petulance just before halftime when her finely measured pass collected by Rodriguez failed to find the net. She quickly recovered and encouraged Rodriguez after which she checked on Kai stretching on the sidelines.

Her mini intervention seemed to have worked. The Independence struck twice through Kai and Rodriguez in the second half and the MagicJack's increasingly desperate but entirely predictable response was to find Wambach who was effectively marshaled by Kia McNeill. The MagicJack had no one in their side that could match Boquete's command of the game.

Boquete knows exactly the difference she brings to the game.

"In Spain, soccer is more possession of the ball, touch and movement. It is less physical but more technical than in the U.S."

Coach Riley elaborates on it further crediting her for her football IQ.

"She is as smart as everybody thought," said Riley, who was recently named the WPS coach of the year. "She is that good. She is clever and I think she is just different. She is one of those world-class players."

These qualities make her a standout. The Independence will never be a one dimensional team with her in the midst. Now, they take on Western New York in the finals this Saturday with their big ticket names including Marta and Christine Sinclair in the WPS's most potent attack.

Kriseten Garefekes and Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi score to put Germany up before Canada through Christine Sinclair's brilliant free kick pull one back. The hosts and defending champions get all three points.

Christine Sinclair's goal ended the Germans enviable World Cup record

The German women's team looked like it was coasting to a win led by an exciting new generation of multi-ethnic players just like their male counterparts. The names of Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi and Fatmire Bajramaj will no doubt become familiar to thousands as the World Cup goes on.

The match adhered to script as the lanky Kristen Garefekes took advantage of a terrible mix up that left Canadian goalie Erin McLeod stranded in no woman's land to head home the first goal in the 10th minute. They doubled the lead as Mbabi raced ahead beating the offside trap and finished coolly to send Germany into halftime salivating at the prospects of a blowout.

Coach Silvia Nied had not even trotted out her shiny new toys in Alexandra Popp and Bajmarj. Birgit Prinz already a legend had a laboured first half and was subbed off to a standing ovation. Meanwhile Canada was left to rue a 6th minute Christine Sinclair miss that would have narrowed the gap.

Popp came on in the second half and served notice that she is Prinz's heir apparent and minutes later the stadium erupted to the arrival of Bajmarj, a refugee by the way of Kosovo who battled her father's ambitions for her as a ballet dancer to don soccer cleats. With prolific goalscorer Inka Grings also in the midst, it felt natural to wonder how many more goals would Canada bleed?

Germany came close but were not able to add to the tally with Garefekes the goal at her mercy missing a point blank chance. At the other end the outclassed Canadians looked for a sign, any sign for a chance to turn things around. That opportunity presented itself when Simone Laudehr fouled Sophie Schmidt just outside Germany's box. This was a golden moment for Sinclair to step up and the Canadian captain a picture of intense concentration pulled of a Beckhamesque free kick. It was a great piece of skill which left Nadine Angerer at goal with no chance. This was the first goal conceded by Germany in a World Cup since the 2003 finals against Sweden. Game on and Germany were looking a bit ragged.

The crowd was on edge and referee Jacqui Melksham came for some protracted booing for giving the Canadians the benefit of the doubt on a couple of tackles. The Canadians went short on a corner pulling Sinclair and Matheson to the right as they recycled the ball and then sent it long for Emily Zurrer to almost pull of a miraculous equalizer.

Germany get their three points but the enterprising Canadians made it interesting and with goal differential a potential factor in the group stage this goal could be huge. The more salient question is when are they going to riot? And do we get another couple for love in the time of cholera.

With a name like Hope Solo it is little wonder her brilliant performance against Brazil in the 2008 Olympics finals was perceived as instrumental in the US winning gold. One lost count of the many saves she made.

A stunning comeback from the previous year after she fell out of favour of Greg Ryan who benched her for the semi-finals in the 2007 World Cup in favour of veteran Briana Scurry. The Brazilians routed the US, 4-0. Solo did not mince words after the loss.

"It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that. There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves. ... You have to live in the present. And you can't live by big names. You can't live in the past."

Ryan saw red. Solo was dismissed from further participation in the World Cup and flew back from China on her own dime. She was ostracized by her team mates for her self serving words and spent the rest of the season on the bench.

Solo has been rehabilitated under present coach, Pia Sundhage who firmly believes she is her best hope (her name lends itself to endless puns).

"Hope Solo is coming back from injury and we are happy with what we see. Of course I've talked about the last World Cup with her, and between then and now we had the Olympics in 2008 and the way she played, saving a ball in the final."

A shoulder surgery kept Solo out of the World Cup qualifying rounds. Without her the US gave up some key goals and after a shocking loss against Mexico were in danger of missing out before winning the playoffs against Italy.

Her return in March to the WPS has her back in form and she leads the goalkeeping stats. Sundhage included Solo and Abby Wambach in the 21 woman squad announced over the weekend for the World Cup in Germany starting June 26th. The squad will prepare with a two match warm up against Japan.

Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart (Philadelphia Independence), Jill Loyden (magicJack), Hope Solo (magicJack)

Defenders: Rachel Buehler (Boston Breakers), Stephanie Cox (Boston Breakers), Ali Krieger (out of contract), Amy LePeilbet (Boston Breakers), Heather Mitts (Atlanta Beat), Christie Rampone (magicJack), Becky Sauerbrunn (magicJack)

Midfielders: Shannon Boxx (magicJack), Tobin Heath (Sky Blue FC), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia Independence), Carli Lloyd (Atlanta Beat), Heather O'Reilly (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Philadelphia Independence), Lindsay Tarpley (magicJack)

Forwards: Lauren Cheney (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (Western New York Flash), Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence), Abby Wambach (magicJack)

Actually, it went to Leo Messi, who in any circumstance is not an undeserving winner. But when you look at a man commanding a soccer ideology as perfectly as Xavi in Spain's greatest sporting achievement then his claim to the world's most influential player is a bit more tenuous.

Xavi's style of playing so familiar to Barcelona was unhesitatingly incorporated into Spain's national team. Because it works. No one maintains the shape of a midfield as brilliantly as Xavi. He is the one who resets, recycles, and releases players like Messi to do what they do best - make defenders look silly. Though Spain won the World Cup with the fewest goals scored they were never outplayed. With a player like Xavi it usually comes down to the matter of when they score. Messi is his best executioner but Villa, Bojan, and Pedro have been beneficiaries too.

With Maradona casting aside Juan Sebastian Veron, the only player within a whiff of Xavi's calibre - Messi became less effective having to drop deeper to link up with Javier Mascherano. The Germans just had to wait in ambush. No one more than Messi knows better the reason for the disparity between his club and national performances. He, Veron and countless others acknowledge the symphonic quality of the Barca midfield orchestrated by Xavi.

We can also make the case for Wesley Sneijder, instrumental in giving Inter the title that they craved most, the Champions League. Under Roberto Mancini, the attack was carried out by individualistic and opportunistic strikers like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Real Madrid reject brought to Inter in a master stroke by Mourinho became the club's playmaker easing the burden on Diego Milito. Sneijder also proved no slouch at scoring goals. Pushed hard by Roma, his set pieces proved decisive in winning the Serie and the Coppa Italia. And who can forget his seal on the Brazil game in the World Cup.

Sid Lowe explains why someone like Sneijder was overlooked in the run up to the final three candidates. He became a victim of FIFA's desire to amalgamate the Ballon d'Or with the Fifa World Player Award. Under the old format, the Ballon D'Or awarded by France Football would have chosen Sneijder. Messi would have finished fourth. But now the expanded pool of voters includes coaches and captains who pulled the votes for the Argentinian.

Some tabloids complained about an anti-Spanish bias after the awards. But the more obvious explanation is that Xavi and Iniesta split the vote which unfortunately did not work out well for either one of them. The increased number of voters have also diluted objectivity. Many have a political axe to grind. Some just choose their team mates in a fit of blind allegiance.

Jose Mourinho deserved the coach of the year award. So much of his success is built on a chip on the shoulder bravura that even in this august moment he did not let go of his cagey and calculating persona. He looked like someone was going to announce it as a very big mistake. But he too is notable for doing what Xavi does so well, make others give off their best. Wherever he is - Porto, Chelsea, Inter, and now at Real, his players are lifted to a different level of performance.

Marta became the world's best woman player for the fifth time. The title is an ongoing battle between the Brazilian and Birgit Prinz for the last seven years - a feat of notable durability.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the headline grabber with three of the goals but the bigger story was Kaka scoring his first goal after returning from an eight month injury layoff. Jose Mourinho celebrated in his usual over the top style which led to this bit of agitprop by Cani. The Villareal midfielder was punished with a red card. Later, Mou stated he was not taunting the opposition.

"I went to celebrate the goal with my son who was behind the visitors' bench, and the Villarreal players thought I was provoking them," Mourinho told the post-match news conference.

"I hope that when one swears on their son they believe you. I think this (situation) comes from a state of affairs where everything I do is always classed as negative."

Villareal played some scintillating football in the first half with Marco Ruben artfully chipping the ball over Iker Casillas to send the Yellow Submarines up by 2-1. But Real's muscularity embodied by Ronaldo proved too much. See the third goal - a remarkable piece of hustle. The Merengues are keeping it close with Barca on top by just two points.

Rafa Benitez's days are numbered. Today, the Serie champions fell to Lazio, 1-3 as Giuseppe Biava, Mauro Zarate, and Hernanes scored while Goran Pandev pulled one back. Samuel Eto'o is still serving a suspension while first goalie Julio Cesar will rejoin Champions League duty against next week. Inter also lost Dejan Stankovic through injury.

However, full marks to the excellent Mauro Zarate who continues to impress with his very intricate foot skills and terrorized Inter down that left flank. Hernanes has been the pick for Lazio this season and his free kick was all class.

With this loss, Inter are now lagging 10 points behind leaders AC Milan with 33 points while Lazio follow with 30 points. Very impressive performance by the Roman club and if they continue to play this well they might get be able to get that third scudetto, last won in 1999- 2000.

Not exactly breaking news but news nevertheless.Nigeria went down fighting.It was the best performance ever by an african team at the women's world cup.

Germany won against France in the U20 Women's World Cup and in an eerie deja vu, a goal similar to that of Frank Lampard was disallowed as the referee and her linesman failed to see the ball cross the line. Germany won by the same score line, 4-1.

The disallowed goal proved costly as the French failed to advance on goal difference over Colombia.

Meanwhile, the FIFA overlords still dither on common sense technology. Really, Sepp Blatter - this is getting beyond ridiculous.

Oranje Pacman swallowing the yellow diamond of the Brazilian flag.

Shoddy piece of defending by the Dutch as Johnny Heitinga fails to take care of a long pass by Melo and Robinho slips through between the wide open defense.

Martin Stekelenberg does not put any pressure on him either. Arjen Robben is absolutely livid.

If you are a heart patient, please take your medications before watching the US.

All those missed chances in front of goal looked like they would come back to haunt us. And it just became more and more nerve wracking as time wound down. We are the cardiac kids of this World Cup, making life hard for ourselves. But we have shown time and time again, amazing resilience, amazing strength of character, and an ability to strike when least expected.

I am still sorting out the sequence in my head but Jozy Altidore had a lot to do with Landon Donovan's stunning strike in the 90th minute. Donovan disappeared in the second half but he was there when we needed him.

This was the shot that was heard across the world. With all due respect to Paul Caliguiri, we have a new one!

Team USA goes through. How can you not love them now? How can you not love the wonderful, crazy, exhilarating sport that is football aka soccer. We forgive all the puny mortals, the diving cheaters, the atrocious refereeing, the low scoring matches - the haters of this game throw at us at every opportune moment. 300 lbs steroid laden, armour clad linebackers have nothing on this sport!

Nothing. After the excitement of yesterday with yellow card palooza, exciting goals, stirring comebacks, robbed goals, shock results and Wayne Rooney rounding off on the England fans. Nothing.

Time to put on Ibrahim Affelay and Eljero Elia.

As Jesse G., points out the most infamous refereeing blunder was the missed or ignored handball by Torsten Frings on the goal line in the 2002 QF against Germany. That was a cracking game and anyone watching it knew the Germans escaped that day. Michael Ballack scoring the only goal with the USA playing like it did today.

The referee was Hugh Dallas of Scotland. If Eric Wynalda wants to call an investigation into Koman Coulibaly, perhaps it would be better to start with Mr Dallas.

They can now wear caps and not their traditional hijabs.

The U15 team was initially banned by FIFA from competing in the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in August this year because the team insisted on wearing head scarves.

This runs counter to a 2007 FIFA regulation that prevents the display of religious and political statements or symbols on the field. The head scarves were also considered a safety hazard.

The compromise between the FIFA and the Iranian Football Federation is that the girls can now cover their hair with caps.

How about those footballers who sign or kiss their cross when entering the field? Or the footballers who do namaaz on the pitch? Or Kaka who whips his jersey to show I belong to Jesus emblazoned on his undergarment? Seems like the men get away with it.

The Algarve Cup threw up a star in Lauren Cheney who scored the winning goal for a pulsating, 3-2 victory over Germany, the women's World Cup champion.

It was not easy playing on this pitch. Large areas were little less than mud. One can feel for both goalies as they had to deal with ball which did strange things. Nadine Angerer, the German goalie was left gesticulating angrily through the match.

Goals from Carli Lloyd and Abby Wambach within four minutes of each other put the USA up before Germany rallied though Inka Grings to narrow the score, 2-1. In the 70th minute a lofted ball towards Cheney saw Angerer charging out and misjudging the bounce. The ball got away from her and straight to Cheney leaving her a simple tap into an empty goal.

Cheney's goal proved to be the difference as Grings and Germany staged a comeback with a goal five minutes later.

USA held on for the win through some stellar defending by Amy LePeilbet and Rachel Buehler. Hope Solo came up with a save to what would have been an own goal in the last minute.

Congratulations to Pia Sundhage and the US women!

Lauren Cheney: A different kind of Cheney

The USA got off to a great start in the Algarve Cup beating Iceland 2-0 through Lauren Cheney and an own goal.

Next up the tough Norwegians, a long time nemesis of the USA but now find themselves falling of the pace since the mid 1990s with Germany, Brazil, and China taking over.

The next two matches have a decidedly strong Scandinavian theme given the coaching connections.

US assistant coach Hege Riise will face her old team on February 26th. Continuing in the same vein, Pia Sundhage, the US coach, till recently the Swedish top goal scorer will take on her former national team on March 1st. The US under Sundhage lost the last Algarve Cup final to Sweden on penalties. The US will be looking to reverse that setback.

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The Independent has an article about Jose Mourinho not being particularly effusive about Mario Balotelli's scintillating performance against Rubin Kazan. He has had his share of run ins with the mercurial striker regarding his lazy attitude and diva like behaviour. So he held off on the praise.

Supporters call Balotelli a target of racial ignorance and fear in an insular country, while critics say that the real fault lies in his grandstanding attitude on the pitch that rubs people off the wrong way.

Whatever it is, Balotelli seems to have brought out the Rush Limbaugh in many Italians.

Some WWF and some WTF moments in the BYU vs New Mexico match. These girls could whip Vinny Jones anytime. And Julie Foudy had to spin the indefensible. "Ponytail whiplash" like "tennis elbow " could become a recognizable sports injury.