Two key matches are on deck today in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Brazil, who defeated Japan 3-0 on Saturday, face Mexico who are still reeling from a 2-1 defeat against Italy in their opening game.

In the second match today, Italy plays Japan. It’s an opportunity for the Asian side to show what they’re made of after a disappointing performance against Brazil at the weekend.

For viewers in the United States, the Brazil vs Mexico game will be shown live on ESPN (and WatchESPN) at 2:45pm ET. The Italy against Japan game will be shown at 5:45pm ET on the same channel.

MORE — 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Preview: Everything You Need To Know.

Before, during or after today’s Confederations Cup, join the conversation in the comments section below.

Brazil vs Mexico and Italy vs Japan, Confederations Cup: Open Thread is a post from World Soccer Talk.

Two weeks ago was an exciting day for football and could quite well go down as a date in history where another divine footballing marriage was sealed. That was the day when Brazil’s most prodigious talent since Ronaldo — Neymar da Silva Santos Junior — completed his long-awaited transfer to Barcelona.

Since his introduction to the big stage at the tender age of 17, when the scrawny forward was brought on for the last thirty minutes in a 2-1 win against Oeste, Neymar has experienced a level of fame that very few athletes of his age are subjected to (or afforded, depending on how you view it). Before he had even kicked a ball amongst the big boys of Brazilian domestic football, the hype surrounding this baby-faced whippersnapper from Sao Paulo was already permeating through the aisles of the Estadia Vila Belmiro, the home of Santos F.C.

Having developed a passion for futsal at an early stage, a form of “hall football” that is played even more frequently than soccer in Brazil, Neymar quickly learned the fundamentals of his country’s approach to the game. Futsal is played on a hard indoor surface the length of a five-a-side pitch, with a a smaller ball that has less of a bounce than a regular one. The game is played between two teams of five players, with the chief emphasis placed on skill, improvisation, and guile. Matches are played at a frenetic pace in a claustrophobic environment, where players have to think quickly and without hesitation. Futsal is a speciality of the Brazilians, and is rightly accredited for helping the national team to establish their world-famous panache that has bedazzled generations since the founding of the FIFA World Cup in 1930.

With this type of schooling, Neymar was gifted with a cultured perspective on how the game should be played, combining his futsal education with street football where he would have undoubtedly found out what it was like to be kicked from pillar to post by kids of lesser ability. Though futsal is a sport that many Brazilian youths participate in, there are always a few prodigious talents that have adroitness with the ball that comes as second nature. Not only did Neymar have it, he personified it. As he rose through the ranks of the Santos academy like a fledgling peacock, enjoying a highly successful youth career, money and celebrity were soon magnetized by Neymar’s allure, and by the time he was 16 he was earning 25,000 reais a month. Upon signing his professional contract at 17, sponsorships were queuing up in droves for the new golden boy of South America.

Without too much difficulty, Neymar soon established himself in the Santos first team, creating a rabid fervor amongst watching crowds whenever the ball was at his feet. Like his predecessors Ronaldinho and Denilson, he was not afraid to run head-on at opposing defenders, using a hypnotic repertoire of drag-backs, step-overs and flicks that left many in his wake, disoriented and left to figure out how they had been so easily bamboozled. In his debut season, Neymar racked up 14 goals in 48 games, which included the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over Palmeiras in the 2009 Campeonato Paulista semi-final.

Much like Holland, Brazilian football places the main bulk of its hopes on youth, so youngsters are often thrown into the deep end before their chins have even begun to sprout a few pathetic hairs. Precociousness is something to be celebrated, not confined to stagnation in the reserves or on the bench, meaning that Neymar was given the platform to show off his artfulness as soon as his professional terms were agreed. Of course, with youth comes impudence, and the new darling of Santos possessed an abundance of it. Though football is a team game, Neymar is the type of player who will only pass the ball if there is no conceivable way of setting on a path towards the goal, frequently opting to dribble through a crowd of bodies, miraculously emerging from an assault of boots, elbows, and shirt-tugging with the ball still in his possession. At times, his tendency to take on the world proved to be frustrating, but, more often than not, he had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand.

Ostentatious behavior aside, Neymar proved to be more than capable in front of goal by his second season, rattling in 42 goals in 60 appearances, a tally that any seasoned professional would be proud of. After a thrilling campaign, he came in third for the 2010 South American Footballer of the Year, behind Andres D’Alessandro and Juan Sebastian Veron. His ascendency in Brazil became international news, and the globe quickly became enamored with Neymar, who was making a name for himself on You Tube with skill compilation videos amassing thousands of hits every day. In the ensuing two years he would be linked with all the major players in the transfer market, particularly Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea. It was reported that Roman Abramovich was willing to pull out all the stops to sign Neymar, and talks of a £50 million transfer were circulating via the Internet before the player had even reached 20.

Eventually, Santos would accept two bids for their prized asset, and though the identity of the bidders were not revealed, anybody with a passing interest in the speculation knew that it was Los Blancos and their tiki-taka rivals who were the frontrunners. Real’s president Florentino Perez was willing to move heaven and earth to sign Neymar, but in the end the starlet chose Barcelona because they appealed to his footballing principles.

After completing his “dream” move for 57 million euros, he said: “Money is OK but happiness takes priority. We decided to come to Barcelona. I had a lot of offers but I followed my heart.”

Now, the tantalizing prospect of Neymar linking up with the world’s best player Lionel Messi is no longer a fantasy, but an impending reality. But will the match that is seemingly made in heaven become true romance? After all, though Neymar may have bewitched crowds on the South American continent, he will find the task of stamping his authority on the European game much more arduous, and will have to graft harder than he has ever done before in order to impress the expectant support at the Nou Camp. Barcelona have lived a charmed life in the past four years, and though they have definitely lost some of their gloss since the departure of Pep Guardiola, they are still widely considered to be the most effective side on planet earth when they are in full swing.

Having suffered an embarrassing exit to Bayern Munich in the semi-final of the Champions League, where they were brutally thumped 7-0 on aggregate, the team will be aiming to recover and get back on their saddles quickly in preparation for the campaign ahead of them. This means that everyone will have to be on top of their game, playing to the height of their capabilities in order for the Barcelona passing carousel to get back in motion once again. Though Neymar is young and still very much learning his trade, he will have to return on the mammoth investment the club put into him pronto, and he must not be intimidated by his price tag. There will be no place for him to hide if his performances are lackluster, and opposing teams will be quick to try and unsettle him, applying physical tactics to try and stifle his game. Though La Liga may not be as rough as the English or German leagues, it is certainly a far cry from Brazil and Neymar will find himself nursing a wound or two after a ninety-minute duel with defensive units that will be more than happy to give him robust treatment.

Alongside adaptation, another daunting challenge that faces Neymar is Messi. The day he signed, Neymar said he had no worries about the challenge of being the best player in the world because he was already playing alongside him. This is without doubt true, and nobody expects the youngster to usurp the Argentine’s barely disputed position amongst the footballing gods any time soon, but only time will tell if they will be able to gel with one another and develop a relationship that will strike fear into their adversaries. Recently, Johann Cruyff, former player and coach of Barcelona, expressed his concern at the acquisition of Neymar, saying: “Messi and Neymar? Two captains on one boat doesn’t work.”

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, the Dutch football legend went to on to question if Neymar was the type of player the club really needed.

“We must wait and see how he goes,” Cruyff said. “Is he necessary? You could agree or not. We are not talking about his footballing quality, I have not seen him, but if they talk about him like this, it is because he is a good player.

“But creating a team is different than signing a player…the Germans showed they have that mentality, that the team is an important thing.”

Cruyff’s words could not be more true, and though he is well known for being a critic of Sandro Rossel, the president of FC Barcelona, he is speaking from sense as opposed to bitterness. Neymar is unquestionably a splendid individual athlete, a possessor of unique dexterity with the ball combined with a strong ego that all great players need to excel, but his attitude is questionable. He is notorious for throwing tantrums when things do not go his way, and there have been reports of rifts with fellow teammates at Santos. In 2010, he fell out with his former manager Dorival Junior over a dispute about who should be the designated penalty-taker. After a spat that took place during the Copa do Brasil final of that year, Dorival Junior demanded that Neymar be suspended for two weeks, but the board promptly sided with the player and sacked the manager.

Allied to this, Neymar has developed a notoriety for simulation, and has been labeled as a diver in his own country. At times, he has been accused of going to ground too easily, attempting to get opposing players sent off instead of continuing his run with the ball and going about the game honestly. Though diving is certainly common in Spain, excessive theatrics will not be tolerated for very long by fans and officials, and Neymar will not want to be famed for his theatrics. If he can iron out the petulant side of his game, people will be able to focus on his good points, preventing him from being hounded by a media that tends to be rather ferocious in Europe at times.

The road that lies ahead of Neymar is long, but full of promise. Having only turned 21 in February, there is plenty of time for him to sharpen his qualities, whilst also acquiring new ones along the way. He is in a privileged position that other contemporaries can only dream about, having moved to a special club that most professionals would give their right arm to play for. With the sporting and commercial clamor for him more covetous than ever, the sky is the limit, or perhaps he will break through the stratosphere and one day take his place alongside Pele, Maradona, and Beckenbauer in the cosmos of footballing royalty. Right now though, he is still a pretender, a gamble that could be taken out of the showroom and onto the scrap-heap if his fluorescent boots, zany haircut, and fancy-dan chicanery prove to be a superficial ruse to hide the true weaknesses beneath.

Regardless of His Talent, Neymar’s Move to Barcelona is Still a Gamble is a post from World Soccer Talk.

Wingers Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson both played an important role in the perfect qualifying haul for the United States in June. The United States won all four June matches including a spectacular 4-3 victory in Washington against Germany to celebrate the US Soccer Federation Centennial. While much of the clamoring at the start of the month among US supporters was for a return of Landon Donovan, the exiled one-time poster boy of the game in the states, now the discussion revolves around the quality, commitment and consistency demonstrated recently by Jürgen Klinsmann’s side.

Graham Zusi, the Sporting Kansas City man was the player most often mentioned as “droppable” by supporters for Donovan at the start of the month. However, following the United States’ outstanding 1-0 victory over an injury-depleted yet game Honduras side in Sandy, Utah on Tuesday, Zusi’s place is secure.

Eddie Johnson spent a number of years in national team purgatory after his move to Fulham yielded little playing time and multiple failed loan moves. Johnson’s career was resurrected with a move back to Major League Soccer, and one of the top clubs in the region, the Seattle Sounders.

Johnson’s selection by Klinsmann for matches in early stage of CONCACAF qualifying was controversial. The Florida-born attacker burst onto the international scene in 2005 with several qualifying goals but cooled considerably thereafter and by the time the Hexagonal qualifying for the 2010 World Cup rolled around, he had been dropped by then USA Manager Bob Bradley.

Zusi was unavailable for the United States 2-0 victory over Panama but Johnson slotted in nicely moving over from the left wide position in the 4-3-3 the USA is now playing.  The crossing ability and attacking instincts of Zusi have contributed regularly to the positive offensive build-up by the US in qualifying while Johnson has been steady and shown an adeptness to play any of the forward positions in the formation.

Thus on Tuesday night, with Zusi again available, Klinsmann used both in wide positions, with the two often swapping flanks and playing inverted wingers at time. It was in this mode, where the right-footed Zusi cutting inside from the left flank was most dangerous giving the Honduran defense fits.

The development of attacking understanding by the United States under Jürgen Klinsmann has been remarkable. The goal of changing the style of play and maintaining possession while getting positive results has been largely accomplished in just under two years. This has also allowed the best talent in the player pool to rise to the top and shown the old game of sacred cows and automatic selections has been ended.

Graham Zusi and Eddie Johnson’s Sterling Wide Play Critical to American Success in June is a post from World Soccer Talk.

Almost a decade ago, the world witnessed one of the rising stars in the English game move to Liverpool. His name was Harry Kewell. Fast forward 10 years later, the once sought after and most gifted Australian footballer of his generation recently signed with A-league minnows Melbourne Heart on a reported AU$48,000 a season deal.

‘H,’ as he’s fondly known Down Under, left Australia some 12 months ago for “family reasons”, having left his now city rival Melbourne Victory. He was in search of soccer closer to England so his partner could care for her mother who was suffering from an illness.

After months of dead ends and brinkmanship, he moved to Middle Eastern club Al Gharafa. The country celebrated his resurgence after a goal in the Qatar Stars League. According to international teammate Marco Bresciano, “He seems like the Harry of old.”

A debate ensued. Should Harry be called up to the Australian national team by coach Holger Osieck? Sentimentality was ripe. But should a player who has played less than a handful of games in 12 months be in contention for the Socceroos? Some would tell you, “It’s Harry, our golden boy”. And with that memories of Kewell’s goal against Croatia in Berlin start to cloud the mind. Simon Hill’s famous piece of commentary, “Australia’s golden boy has come up with a golden goal”.

Jumping back to reality, it’s not 2006 anymore. Kewell’s no longer the fleet-footed pacey attacker he once was, but that doesn’t mean he can’t contribute to Melbourne Heart’s cause going forward. He’ll be on minimum wage and on a one year deal. The positives for this move outweigh the negatives. Although Kewell’s last venture back home didn’t go as planned, the time is now for redemption.

With the pre-season for the next A-league season already underway, there will be no excuses for lack of fitness or conditioning. Kewell will join up with the rest of the squad on July 1. There’s also anticipation for the match that’ll kick off the Hyundai A-league season: the Melbourne Derby. He’ll be going up against his former club Melbourne Victory.

As we await the opening day, talk about Socceroo call ups will continue. Australia look to fight for their place to win a place in Rio, but the question on all Australians lips is: Should Harry be a part of the journey or not?

Last Chance Saloon for Harry Kewell, Australia’s Golden Boy is a post from World Soccer Talk.

We’ve already seen several key signings by Premier League clubs this summer with many new prospects coming in from La Liga. But in reality, we’re also going to probably see several key players leave their Premier League clubs this summer.

Here are the top 10 high-profile players most likely to leave:

1.      Luis Suarez

The man is absolutely brilliant on the ball and can dribble his way in and out of any situation possible. He was Liverpool’s best player this campaign, with or without his bite.  With interest coming from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Suarez wants a move.  Liverpool, despite positive acquisitions in the past 6 months such as Coutinho and Sturridge, have missed out on Champions League football yet again and a player like Suarez needs to be seen on the biggest stage. He most recently stated his desire to leave and his ‘come and get me’ plea won’t be left unanswered for long.  This move also may be best for him for personal reasons, leaving behind a horrible two years marred by racist taunts, handshake issues and copious amount of diving.

2.      Gareth Bale

Speaking of diving, the Welshman does have a soft spot for Tottenham, the team that has seen him progress from a flimsy left back into one of the world’s most dangerous wingers.  He may not be the complete package but he is close to it.  He can beat defenders with his pace, shoot from a distance (and boy can he shoot), while also crossing and excelling at set pieces.  With Barcelona having already signed Neymar, Bale may be destined to join Madrid or Manchester City, but his price may come as a hindrance to most teams.  Bale’s agent has been doing the newspaper rounds and discussing his client’s bright future, but Bale may want to show his dedication to the North London club by sticking around one season, as if almost single handedly qualifying them for the Champions League wasn’t enough.

3.      Carlos Tevez

The Argentine who has split decisions and cities will be on his way out.  His season was mediocre despite impressing after coming back from his hiatus last year.  City may want to offload the player or use him as a sweetener in a deal to get Cavani or Falcao.  While Tevez is a perennial whiner, when on the pitch he will give his best for the team. At 29, this is his last chance to impress his suitors and improve his tattered image.  Tevez, unlike other washed up strikers, was never bad and has consistently been able to play with another striker and score goals.  His addition to any team will in no doubt be beneficial.

4.       Fernando Torres

For £50 million, I want my striker to do more than score a dozen of goals in a season, most of which came during the Europea League campaign against lesser teams.  His recent resurgence may have pleased the Chelsea faithful, but it also pleased Chelsea’s management team, increasing Torres’ stock in a bid to cash in on him.  Chelsea are in need a top class striker, something they missed during the beginning of the season, which ultimately caused them to slip away from the title race.  In Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea have a great striker, but Abramovich will be looking abroad for some much needed firepower and a swap deal with Napoli for Cavani is the most talked about transfer of the season.

5.      Wayne Rooney

Wazza’s end of season tantrum was slightly overshadowed by Fergie’s departure, but his unhappiness has been part of his game for the past few months.  Being constantly played out of position and having become second choice to Robin Van Persie has not only hurt Rooney’s ego, but has also inspired him to move on with his life.  He has won the Premier League and the Champions League with Manchester United and will have to deal with his nemesis, David Moyes, next season.  Whether Rooney is good enough to go to Real Madrid is doubtful, but PSG, looking to improve and expand their brand, could use someone of Rooney’s caliber.  Arsenal has been heavily linked, but at £250K in wages, Wenger could sign an army of 18 year old French players that may turn into superstars (but most likely end up like Jeremy Aliadiere).

6.      Marouane Fellaini

The big Belgian was supposed to be on his way out in the winter. His red card before the New Year was supposed to have marked his last game, but he carried on only to see his manager make that move.  Manchester United have been linked with Fellaini even before Moyes moved to United, but the speculations are growing stronger. There are plenty of reasons for this, but one of them certainly is that United have been missing a strong midfielder and with the second retirement of Scholes, the time for Fellaini is right.  The Belgian is a great Premier League player and his ability to score from the midfield is  something every team desires, add on his aerial strength and physical attributes and you get the perfect threat.  Fellaini will certainly be moving on, and the best bet is Manchester United, but other teams have been interested and I don’t expect him at Merseyside next season.

7.      Christian Benteke

Young, strong, with an eye for goal and an incredibly powerful shot, the Belgian striker who finished the season with an impressive 19 goals for Aston Villa, is being eyed by every Premier League team in the country with an ounce of Champions League ambition.  The ability to score 19 goals at a relegation threatened team is impressive and something Arsenal could use to improve their chances to end their trophy drought.  The young Belgian is strong enough to hold up the ball, but also quick enough to pounce on a loose ball in the box, he also isn’t too bad in the air.  Lambert has been trying to downplay Benteke’s obvious flirtations with other teams, but his stay in Birmingham will not last long, and Villa was just his platform.

8.      Michu

If there is a ringing in your ear it may be because of all the times you have heard what a bargain the Spaniard has been. (Note: Michu won’t be able to fix it either, the ringing in his ear still goes on, displayed every time he scores a goal).  We can go on and mimic every pundit’s plaudits about this player, but what is certain is that he is worth more than the £2 million Swansea paid for him and he can finish exquisitely.  Although Swansea will want to keep hold of him, a big offer resulting in a large profit cannot be turned down by them.  His age will certainly be a detriment to future suitors, but with one season in the Premier League under his belt, a move to a bigger club is in the books.

9.      Edin Dzeko

He came with much hype and was not able to deliver, at least not when he started.  The Bosnian striker has an impressive minute to goal ratio, often used as a substitute to the preferred Aguero/Tevez partnership.  Some may point to Mancini’s failed tactics as a reason for Dzeko’s barren spell upfront when started, but he is certainly not a lost cause and most teams would be happy to have a player that averages about 1 goal every 2 games.  The most common speculation comes from Dortmund, in a Lewandowski-Dzeko switch, but his unhappiness at being used a super sub was clear in a post-match interview and he will need definite assurances in order to stay in Manchester.

10.  Asmir Begovic/Simon Mignolet

This may be cheating, but since goalkeeper transfer speculations tend to be quite rare in the Premier League, this double coup has to be noted. With Butland having been signed by Stoke, the ever impressive Begovic is likely to leave this season.  The Bosnian has been tied to Liverpool in the past.  Mignolet has been singled out by fans as their star player and the Belgian does deserve all the plaudits, he may have kept Sunderland in the Premier League this season, but he will want to look for a team with a stronger defense to help him out.  It looks likely that Mignolet will officially join the Reds of Liverpool this week.

I have left off the players from relegated sides, but Shaun Maloney and Loic Remy come as obvious choices, as well at Adel Taarabt and Arouna Kone.

Top 10 Players Likely to Leave Their Premier League Clubs This Summer is a post from World Soccer Talk.

The final of the under-21 European Championship kicks off today with two brilliant sides facing each other in the final in Israel.

Spain, who have been a joy to watch this tournament — especially Isco, who has been a revelation — faces an Italy team who will be confident after defeating the Netherlands in the semi-final.

For viewers in the United States, the game will be shown live on ESPN Deportes (and ESPN3) at Noon ET.

Before, during or after today’s u-21 European Championship Final, join the conversation in the comments section below.

Spain vs Italy, Under-21 European Championship Final: Open Thread is a post from World Soccer Talk.

The Atlanta Silverbacks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) are close to completing an incredible feat. They currently sit atop the NASL Spring Season standings with just three matches remaining. A year ago at this time they sat anchored to the bottom of the NASL table, a year after setting a record for the least amount of wins by a second division American side in a twenty-eight game season.  Eric Wynalda, the legendary US international and popular FOX Soccer Commentator working with former MLS player and Trinidad and Tobago International Brian Haynes has orchestrated an enthralling comeback on the field. Simultaneously, General Manager Andy Smith has turned around the fortunes of the sagging organization at the gate and created a buzz locally about the team.

When Smith took over as a General Manager of the Atlanta Silverbacks in early 2012, the club was struggling on the field and at the gate. The revived Silverbacks who had suspended operations after the 2008 season returned for the 2011 NASL Season putting a team on the pitch whose quality was questionable and whose management was severely lacking in proper seasoning or understanding of the American soccer scene.

Smith and his company Playbook Management International (PMI) immediately set out to hire motivated and skilled sales people while creating deeper roots in the community working with various elements that support soccer in one of America’s largest Metropolitan Areas. But despite growing crowds and increased media buzz locally, the team sat mired at the bottom of the table, continuing the previous season’s losing ways while beset by a culture that was less than professional.

Enter Eric Wynalda, the US Soccer legend and frequent critic of the development system in this country. Wynalda had just taken Cal FC, an amateur team with less than a month together to the 4^th round of the US Open Cup shocking the Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field in Round 3. Cal FC’s exploits became such a national story, that the 4^th Round match versus Seattle was picked up on national television, the first non-final Open Cup match ever broadcast on national television.

Wynalda, whose frequent yet valid critiques of the US Soccer structure and hierarchy have made him a polarizing figure in some establishment circles, was sought out to join the Silverbacks by Smith and PMI Founder Michael Hitchcock. Wynalda originally was not interested but Smith’s persistence and articulation of the goals the organization were attempting meet led to the US Soccer legend joining the side as the Interim Head Coach and Team Advisor in late June 2012.

The culture of the Silverbacks immediately changed and while Wynalda returned to FOX Soccer in mid-August 2012 for the beginning of the Premier League season, his handpicked Head Coach Brian Haynes took Atlanta out of the basement and finished the 2012 NASL Regular Season as the in-form team. Atlanta missed the playoffs but gave a statement of intent for 2013, by compiling the best record in the NASL after August 15^th.

Attendance for the club had risen from an average of 2,800 fans per game in 2011 to over 4,500 in 2012 under Smith’s leadership. The near capacity crowds in 2012 saw the start of something unique and extraordinary, a remarkable turnaround of a franchise that had appeared to be dying on the vine in 2011.

This year, the NASL adopted a split-season format, which rewards the winner of Spring Season with hosting the Soccer Bowl final which will be contested against the winner of the Fall Season. Given this new format, Haynes wisely kept the core of his team together. Leading scorer Matt Horth departed for Major League Soccer, but in his place came Ruben Luna who is currently tied for second in the league in goals scored.

The Silverbacks have been fantastic this season, looking sharp both home and away. Not only has the club gotten results but have been doing it in style. Haynes approach has valued possession and movement off the ball, giving Atlanta regularly more of the ball and more chances to score than the opposition, even away from home.

Silverbacks Captain Martyn Lancaster a 2011 Soccer Bowl finalist with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers led his Silverbacks team out on Saturday night against his former club. Despite being reduced to ten men early in the second half, Atlanta recorded a late winner from the penalty spot and moved back atop the NASL table. Lancaster reflected on the changes made under Haynes and Wynalda. “They (Haynes and Wynalda) have instilled belief while making us play simple football. They also created a more professional environment. Everything was run on time and was short and sharp.  The change was noticeable within days of the coaching change. “

Following Atlanta’s victory in Fort Lauderdale, Eric Wynalda reflected on the accomplishments of the team and made some general observations about player development in the United States.:

“We are simply shooting ourselves in the face and foot every time we try and develop talent, we need to let talent develop and if we don’t let it develop we don’t have a shot. I am lucky I had a good owner in Boris Jerkinuca who was sick of the power point presentations and simply asked me, can you fix this and I said I could.”

“I don’t want to sit here and glorify our performance tonight, but when you build an organization and a team you do not build it off videotape or some agent’s word you build it off people.”

Recently the Silverbacks hosted a watch party for a US Men’s National Team qualifier. All of Smith’s hard work in the community was on display. “I think when talking to the fans…it’s a pretty cool seeing people go through the door of the watch party for a US game with a National Team jersey and a Atlanta (Silverbacks) hat,” Wyanlda said.

The Silverbacks are three games away from completing an incredible feel good story. They host the defending Soccer Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Rowdies this Saturday at 7:30pm EDT at Silverbacks Stadium.

Photo credit: Elaine Carroll

US Soccer Legend Eric Wynalda Co-Authoring a “Worst to First” Story in Atlanta is a post from World Soccer Talk.

Since its inception, the Premier League has witnessed some phenomenal teams. Some are universally celebrated, but others never garner the attention they truly deserve. Remaining impartial, my breakdown of the top five teams was not decided solely by what the teams won. My fundamental criteria was the manner in which they played and the enjoyment they delivered to football supporters around the world.

5. Newcastle United (1995-97). At number five in my list comes the Newcastle team (1995-1997) that were labeled the ‘’entertainers’’ by the public. Their capitulation of the title to a youthful, Manchester United team obviously still wrangles with Magpie supporters today, yet to leave them off this list would have been unimaginable. The attacking brand of football this team played captured the imagination and support of the football neutrals and their style has not been replicated by any team since. The signing of Les Ferdinand brought the team to another level and their football at times during the Autumn and Winter of 1995-1996 is among the best the Premier League has ever seen. Many people will lament their inability to defend, but that was part of their ‘’greatness’’ – attack, attack, attack. Their finest hour undoubtedly came in the Autumn of 1996 when they dismantled Manchester United 5-0, with Phillippe Albert sealing the win with one of the iconic Premier League moments.

4. Chelsea (2004-06). Immediately upon taking the role, one could guage that the club would be transformed forever. Creating a magnificent team ethos, Mourinho succeeded in orchestrating a line-up that tore the Premier League apart. With players such as Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben and Damien Duff playing magnificently, they put the other nineteen clubs in the league to shame. Playing a calculated, but entertaining brand of football, they managed to gain a strangle hold on English football that they previously had only dreamt off. European success was to remain elusive, and those two epic semi-finals in 2005 with ultimate champions Liverpool still remain a source of frustration for the iconic team.

3. Manchester United (1993-94). This team played with such power and single-mindedness that watching them made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Perhaps the most combative and powerful team of Ferguson’s era, they played in a manner that only focused on winning and never played for a draw. Utilizing the brilliance of Cantona, United played football that hasn’t been replicated since. They relied on a wonderful team ethos to dismantle their opponents, having reliable back-ups such as McClair and Sharpe, ensured that no one rested on their laurels. Their greatest moment arguably came in the FA Cup final versus Chelsea where, thanks to two Cantona penalties, they emerged victorious on a 4-0 score line. Their European performances, most memorably against Galatasary where they threw away a two goal advantage, soured their legacy somewhat, but they will always be fondly remembered by United fans as the first great team of the Ferguson era.

2. Arsenal (2003-04). I debated whether they deserved to finish at number one, but their lack of a European trophy dictated their position. Surviving any season undefeated in this day and age is almost unimaginable, but this is exactly what this team did. Their greatness was their unflinching resolve coupled with arguably the best player in the world during that era — Thierry Henry. Having two World Cup winners in central midfield was an additional bonus, as was the colossus Sol Campbell at the back. They left all in their wake and sealed their triumph at home to Leicester City on a day that Arsenal fans will always saviour. The highlight from that season would be their North London league triumph, despite only drawing the game. A low point would be their European exit by Chelsea, yet they will always be recalled as the only undefeated team of the premier league era.

1. Manchester United (1998-99). A team, packed with arguably the greatest Manchester United midfield of all time, played some breathtaking football in a season that had it all. Their form prior to Christmas was average. Losing at home to Middlesbrough was an obvious low point, but they showed their true character by remaining undefeated in 1999 up until November. The addition of Jaap Stam and Dwight Yorke provided them with the power to tackle three competitions. Relying on unrivalled resilience to see off Liverpool and Arsenal in the cup and Juventus in the Champions League semi final, they were on the brink of immortality. Victories over Spurs and Newcastle sealed the league and cup double, but the stoppage time victory over Bayern has stood the test of time as the greatest comeback ever. Their resolve and spirit sealed their place as the top Premier League team thus far, whether we see their like again remains to be seen.

Top 5 Premier League Teams From 1992-2013 Revealed is a post from World Soccer Talk.

The impending departure of Nani from Manchester United evokes more questions than answers. Undoubtedly talented, arguably the most skilful member of the present United squad, Nani is an enigma. His departure from the Premier League is certainly a negative in terms of entertainment, but unfortunately given a player of his calibre, his departure will not grab the headlines other transfers of lesser known players nominally garner.

Monaco and Juventus are the two clubs most prominently linked with the player, whose asking price of £8.5 million is ridiculous in comparison to the fee Liverpool paid for Stewart Downing a couple of years ago. However, not to be derogatory towards Downing, Nani is frankly a far superior player.

The curious case of Nani is that he will forever be in Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow. From the moment he signed for Manchester United in the Summer of 2007, his every step has been compared and contrasted with his fellow Portuguese colleague. Such comparisons were unfair then and even more so now. A player such as Ronaldo is arguably one of the all time great European footballers, up there with the greatest players in history. Nani is good, very good, but he is not at that level.

So is a move away from Manchester United correct at this stage of his career? While he has achieved a tremendous amount during his at Old Trafford, one has to question if he would be better served moving to an emerging European force such as Monaco or a club looking to leave their mark on the Champions League in Juventus. If their current spending splurge is anything to go by then Monaco are set to become one of the major powerhouses of European football over the years to come. With the club still heavily indebted who is to say United can maintain their present form in the current climate, with Chelsea and Manchester City breathing down their necks. Nani must determine if being a squad player is enough to satisfy his talents or will a move finally provide him with the necessary push to let him finally achieve his undoubted ability?

The European game today is bereft of two-footed players able to score, dribble and pass; Nani is one such player who can do the lot. His stagnated progress over the last year and a half is partially down to injury and partially down to poor team selection. Seriously how could one make the case for Antonio Valencia or Ashley Young to be picked ahead of a player this talented on a weekly basis? Football is a sport today where past achievements are quickly forgotten. If Nani wants to be truly remembered as the player he believes he is then a move is undoubtedly the best thing for his career.

Next season is a crucial one in the career of Nani. No longer a young player, he must begin to showcase the ability that he so clearly possesses to justify a move to either of the aforementioned clubs. Having skill is one thing, replicating it on the pitch during a European game or away to a struggling league side is the hallmark of a great player. While Nani has done this to an extent throughout his career, his flash nature has seen him often do the opposite on many occasions also. This inconsistency is the reason why many United fans will not lament his departure as they should. Players of Nani’s ability are rare, truly rare in today’s footballing climate. Therefore while he may move on from the Premier League, we can be certain it won’t be the last time we will be seeing Nani in the near future.

Why A Move For Nani Away From Manchester United Is The Best Move is a post from World Soccer Talk.

It is that time of the year again folks. Fans and players alike gather around their club to see which colours and configurations they will be adorning themselves in throughout the coming season. As Real Madrid launch their new kit for the 2013-2014 season, World Soccer Talk is lucky enough to have one brand new shirt to give away in a beautiful presentation box. Thanks to adidas for giving this prize to one lucky winner.

All you have to do it answer this question:

Question: In which year did Karim Benzema make his professional debut for Olympique Lyonnais? 

Answers must go in an email to laurencemckenna (@) epltalk.com in order to be counted for the competition. One winner will be drawn at random. The competition closes at 00:00 Wednesday morning (EST).

Finally, the shirt is a medium size, you do not have to be medium to enter though. As Real enter an exciting new season this would look just as good on your wall or mantle-piece (or games room).

Good luck! To inspire you, here are the prose which accompany the the shirt:

Win A Real Madrid Home Shirt in A Beautiful Presentation Box is a post from World Soccer Talk.

As Brazil continues to host the Confederations Cup, Premier League teams will have a number of their scouts in the country searching for new players to sign, while also keeping an eye on their own players. Ten years ago, there were hardly any Brazilians and Spaniards in the Premier League, but nowadays almost every team in the top four has at least a Spaniard in their ranks.

The hosts have called up the Chelsea duo of Oscar and David Luiz, but Big Phil has surprisingly omitted Ramires. Another player that should have been included based on his performances this year is Manchester United’s right back, Rafael. The young Brazilian has improved by leaps and bounds compared to his previous seasons and would be quite annoyed at his exclusion. Although relegated, QPR’s Julio Cesar made the final cut and is Brazil’s starting keeper. The perpetually Tottenham linked Leandro Damiao is also included and will be keen to follow Neymar to Europe, so expect some great displays from him. Currently employed by Internacional, he is exactly the type of player that Spurs have been looking for, someone that can combine Adebayor’s and Defoe’s skills into one.

The Spanish national team are World and European Champions, but are also the team with the most amount of Premier League players. As usual, Spain’s midfield includes a goldmine of talent. In Santi Cazorla, David Silva and Juan Mata, Del Bosque has included three of the Premier League’s best midfielders. Santi has unequivocally been Arsenal’s player of the season and with 12 goals and 13 assists, he will be a great addition to the Spanish team. Mata has for a second season been one of Chelsea’s best players and was voted by Chelsea’s fans as the player of the season. He has won the Champions League and Europa League with Chelsea and deserves a place in the Spanish team. Unlike the two other midfielders, Silva did not have a memorable season, but is one of the few midfielders that has had a standing place in the national team.

Surprisingly, Javi Garcia has been included in the squad and that is probably down to the fact that Spain lacks defensive midfielders. Cesar Azpilicueta and Nacho Monreal have both been called up and although Jordi Alba will most likely be Spain’s starting left back, it will most likely be that César Azpilicueta will feature as Spain’s right back ahead of the aging Arbeloa. Fernando Torres received a call up after his strong end to the season. Soldado is his real competition, since Villa has barely played all season and has fallen out of favor at Barcelona, but he is another player constantly rumored to be on the lookout for a Premier League team. And before we forget, Pepe Reina has been included but will remain the understudy to Casillas in the Spanish goal until one of them retires.

Japan come to the Confederations Cup as Asian Champions and they also have two Premier League players in their ranks, both having only spent one season England. Shinji Kagawa is certainly the best Japanese player at the moment and after impressing with Dortmund, winning back to back to Bundesliga titles, his transfer to United was not only seen as a coup but also a marketing scheme. The Japanese had a few injuries along the way, but overall scored 6 goals in 20 appearances for the club. More importantly, he combined well with Van Persie and was able to complement RVP by interchanging positions and runs into the box. The other player is Southampton’s Maya Yoshida, who had a good first season in the Premier League after transferring from Dutch side VVV-Venlo. Quite frankly, there have only been a total of 6 Japanese players that have played top flight English football so far.

The “love him or hate him” Luis Suarez will certainly be playing a big role in Uruguay’s attempt to advance to the final. He’s been the only member of the team that has been actually performing. Currently vying for a move away from the Premier League, he needs to impress his suitors on the world wide stage yet again. Gaston Ramirez has faired well, having arrived as Southampton’s record signing, scoring 6 and assisting in 3 goals. More will be expected from him the next season as Southampton battle to stay in the Premier League.

Uruguay has a pool of talent waiting to be tapped by Premier League teams. The first name on the list has been on the radar of all European top sides, and having guided Napoli to a second placed finish, Edinson Cavani is worthy of all the attention. Rumors are that he won’t be at Napoli next season with the most likely suitors coming from the Premier League and Juventus. Another top player, recently relegated with Palermo, is Abel Hernandez who has the ability to score and set up goals with ease.

With only two Premier League players in their squad, the Nigerian national team doesn’t look to English shores like they used to or rather, the Nigerian players aren’t as skilled as they used to be. The Chelsea duo of Victor Moses and Obi Mikel are both present, and were also the only two Premier League players to be present during Nigeria’s recent African Cup of Nations victory. Under Stephen Keshi, the team doesn’t include all the big names fans are used and he has selected from both African based players and European based players to build a well balanced team. While players will be showcasing their goods, there are few that will attract big Premier League teams.

The last team to include a Premier League based player is Mexico. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez hasn’t had the best of seasons at Manchester United, but with the likelihood of Rooney’s departure, he may find more opportunities at the club. The Little Pea is Mexico’s star player and one of few European based players alongside Guardado and the Dos Santos. Arsenal reject Vela has been shunned by the national team after ironically rejecting recent call ups.

As for Tahiti, they have the same amount of Premier League based players as Italy, 0. Since Super Mario Balotelli’s departure, the Premier League lacks an Italian national team player, but constant speculations linking De Rossi to England may change that.

To sum it up there, Chelsea is the Premier League side with the most number of players represented at the FIFA Confederations Cup. Let’s hope all of the Chelsea players, and the national team players from other Premier League sides, make it through the entire tournament without getting injured.

Guide to Premier League Players at the Confederations Cup is a post from World Soccer Talk.

Tahiti, a tiny island in the South Pacific, battle African powerhouse Nigeria today in the third day of matches in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Ranked number 138 in the world, and featuring a team of amateurs, not much is known about the Tahiti side, but it’s certainly a Cinderella story.

Here’a promotional video from Tahiti to give you an idea of how this side plays, as well as the field conditions they played on in their island:

Nigeria, meanwhile, have brought over a younger side than normal, so it’ll be a good test to see what depth the current Africa Cup Of Nations champions has.

For viewers in the United States, the game will be shown live on ESPN (and WatchESPN) at 2:30pm ET.

MORE — 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Preview: Everything You Need To Know.

Before, during or after today’s Confederations Cup, join the conversation in the comments section below.

Tahiti vs Nigeria, Confederations Cup, Group Stage: Open Thread is a post from World Soccer Talk.

American winger/striker Jemal Johnson has a unique story. Born in New Jersey, he grew up in Macclesfield in Cheshire and spent time with Manchester United before becoming a professional with Blackburn Rovers. A veteran of all four divisions of English professional football, Johnson moved back to the United States and currently plays with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the NASL, US’s second division. He has signed a pre-contract with the New York Cosmos and will join the legendary side after the Strikers current season concludes July 4th.

World Soccer Talk’s Kartik Krishnaiyer sat down with Johnson this past week in Fort Lauderdale to discuss his career in depth.  Among the topics covered was being an American growing up in the north of England, why Johnson supported a team from London while living in Macclesfield, his affinity for Milton Keynes and his move back to the US. Videography by Joshua Tomlinson.

Interview With Jemal Johnson, Former Blackburn and Wolves Winger [VIDEO] is a post from World Soccer Talk.

Photographs of Everton’s home shirt for the 2013-14 season have been leaked on the Internet.

Designed by Nike, the most striking characteristic of Everton’s new home shirt is their unusual sleeve design that looks far better on a long-sleeve shirt instead of the short-sleeve shirt. On the short sleeve version, they just look like big white cuffs.

The Everton home shirt features a traditional collar. The shirt design also features the new Everton club crest, which will be used for just one season before the club changes it at the end of 2013-14.

What’s your opinion about Everton’s new home shirt for 2013-14? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Everton Home Shirt For 2013-14 Season: Leaked [PHOTOS] is a post from World Soccer Talk.