*Moses Mabhida Stadium- constructed on the site of the former Kings Park Soccer Stadium, this teflon-coated, glass-fibre roofed stadium was officially opened on November 2009.

Capacity: 70,000 Location: Durban Design: looks like the South African flag from an ariel view.The legs of the arch join which signifies the uniting of the formally devided country.This arch has a staggering height of 347 ft at the  highest point. The roof produces a translucent glow when lit.
* Green Point Stadium- will  hold the first six round matches, one second-round, one quarter and one semifinal match.The original stadium was demolished and reconstruced in 2007.

Capacity:70,000 Location: Cape Town Design: has a noise-reducing exterior cladding and is situated very near the ocean and has the mountains as a the backdrop. Roofing is a unique retractable glass roofing of about 4,500 tons.

* Mbombela Stadium- comes from the Siwala world meaning “many people together in a small space.”  Capacity: 40,000 Location:Nelspruit Design:  has a ‘jungle’ like theme with zebra stripped seats and a roof structure that resembles  a giraffe. * Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium-Will be hosting five first round matches, one second round, one quarter final and the third place playoff. Name taken from the municipality name not the x-president Nelson Mandela.

Capacity: 50,000  Location:Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth Design:nicknamed ‘the sunflower’ has a roof with a series of petal like looking structures.

* Soccer City Stadium- The largest stadium in Africa. Will hold the first and last matches of the Cup.

Capacity:94,500 Location: Johannesburg  Design:gets its design from an African Pot or calabash.

With all these stadiums, this year is surely to be a Cup to remember. Wouldn’t you want to just book the next flight to Africa to witness this event?

Landon Donovan              (Los Angeles Galaxy)                     123 caps               42 goals

Donovan must be considered as America’s primary weapon in the finals.  The often outspoken winger is an abrasive character and has already had run ins with David Beckham during the latter’s time at LA Galaxy.  Donovan isn’t winning any awards for sportsmanship, but he is the most talented player in the USA 2010 soccer jersey. Intelligent in his use of the ball, surprisingly quick, excellent technique and an ability to score goals and create chances against the best defences, if the American team is to progress far into the tournament then Donovan is sure to be at the hub of their best play.

Oguchi Onyewu               (AC Milan)                                          54 caps                 5 goals

After being injured in his first season of playing in serie A with Milan’s team, fans were disappointed that after a successful seven seasons football in Belgium with Metz, La Louviere, and Standard Liege, Onyewu was not able to play.  Oneyewu, the tall, strong defender that is making other teams take notice of the US national team, first signed with Milan last July, with high hopes after winning two titles for Standard in the Belgian league.  Although Onyewu’s injuries allowed him to play in only one game for Milan in Serie A, the United States has hopes that he will become an invaluable asset in the defensive line at the World Cup finals.

Tim Howard                       (Everton)                                             51 caps                 0 goals

Bob Bradley has had much to celebrate as Tim Howard gained notoriety as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League.    Athough Howard initially failed to make a strong impression at Manchester United, he soon achieved success in his loaned stint as Everton in May 2006, so much so that Everton signed him on permanently in 2007.  Once Howard found his niche, he keep making bounds in goalkeeping, earning the South African Confederations Cup tournament’s best goalkeeper award in 2009, surpassing Brazil’s Julio Cesar, Spain’s Iker Casillas, and Italy’s Gigi Buffon.

Clint Dempsey                  (Fulham)                                             62 caps                 18 goals

  Fulham loves Dempsey for his performance in the 2009-2010 season, a season which included Dempsey’s amazing chipped winner that took the team into a promising run at the Europa League semi-finals.    Because Dempsey is both a cunning striker and winger,  he has a propensity towards scoring goals when the game is on the line.   Dempsey and Donovan work as an excellent team, perfectly complementing one another on opposite sides, and the pair is sure to provide the inexperienced attacks from the US prospects for a win in group games.

Bob Bradley and his son are hoping to avoid this kind of problem when they compete in the South African based World Cup Finals this summer.

Michael Bradley was born in Princeton, New Jersey when Bob was the coach of the Princeton University soccer team.   When Michael was young, his father received a position coaching the MLS Chicago Fire,  and Michael was raised in Palatine, gaining a love for the game that rivalled that of his father.  After Bob gained a position with the Chicago Fire, Michael grew up in Palatine, and began to enjoy the sport immensely.

After an impressive career in Junior leagues, Michael signed up with the MLS Superdraft in 2004 and was selected 36th overall by the New York Metrostars, who just so happened to be coached by his father. During his first season as a professional in New York, Michael didn’t see any playing time, his year ruined by a problematic foot injury, but in his second full year at the club, both Bradley’s had an impact, Bob leading the team to the play offs, while Michael played in thirty of the thirty two games that season and headed his first goal for Metrostars in a vital win over Chivas USA, which put Metrostars into the play offs.

Bradley soon gained attention of foreign teams, leading him to leave the Metrostars in 2006 to play for Holland’s SC Heerenveen team. Taking over the anchoring role in the team, Bradley made a quick impact at the Dutch side, playing an important role in leading the club to a place in the UEFA Cup and the following season, he added goals to his already impressive performances from midfield, scoring 20 goals in all competitions in season 2007-08.

After Bradley’s success with Holland, bigger clubs started paying attention, including Birmingham City, whose relegation from the Premier League preventing them from getting him in their soccer merchandise. The midfielder was eventually chosen by  Borussia Moenchengladbach, and has done well for the German team, playing in no less than 58 games and scoring seven goals for the team.

Because young Bradley has done so well, no one was really surprised when he was promoted to the ranks of the US National Team.   Bob, the elder Bradley, began coaching the US team, and the pair worked together to bring Michael to his current role as the meat of the US midfield sandwich, helping offensive players like Landon Donovan to score big for the team.

Both Bradley men have much to be proud of this summer, when the two will bring the US to compete in South Africa with dreams of winning it all.

* I love their team- it’s a fact, the definitely deserve to hold the cup. Wouldn’t holding the Cup in a country who’s team isn’t even that good be a total let down? Even if  you look back, the soccer teams of countries hosting the cup are usually first class like Brazil (1950), Argentina(1978) and Italy(1990). Adding South Africa to the list would make sense.

* Perfect stadiums- South Africa’s preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup included the construction of four new stadiums. Their designs include : a detractable glass roof, beautiful lighting, zebra like seats, and the South African flag. What more could you ask for?

* Great Weather- wildlife aside, South Africa is renowned for it’s weather. The World Football Tournament will be held during South Africa’s winter season. Not to worry though, your favorite players won’t end up freezing to death since the winter temperature in South Africa is warmer than most countries summer temperature! The average temperature is predicted to be 20 degrees celsius at midday which is better for an athelet’s body compared to higher temperatures. Good weather means higher stamina and endurance..

* The continent alone- soccer is no doubt in every African’s heart and Africa is known to be the place where civilization begun. So what better place to have countries from the four corners of the earth meet? More so since South Africa has used soccer as a means of unity and force against apartheid in  the Mandela era. Holding the finals in Soweto, the center of South African soccer will make this even more than a sporting  one but more importantly a very historical one.

The whole world should be happy that an event of this magnitude is being held in Africa for the first time and no matter how many issues regarding safety have popped up in the past four years, I think the 2010 FIFA World Cup deserve to be held in South Africa.

Is Ferdinand’s injury just a result of misfortune? Some say that after Ferdinand’s injuries all season mean that this kind of thing was bound to happen to the United champion, while others feel that this situation is the result of an injury jinx as old as the game itself, that dictates that players get injured close to major finals games.

I believe that the luck theory is less than accurate and that the reason that top players get injured before donning  the England jersey is most likely due to the repetitive strain of the sheer number of matches that the team faces in a single season.

Participating in at least four competitions every season is a reality for many players playing on the top side of the league.  These include The Premier League, The Champions League or Europa Cup, The FA Cup and the Carling Cup.   This list doesn’t include any of the pre- and post-season games that occur in a season, or the number of pre-season friendlies in which a team can participate.

As well as playing a lot of games, England plays games with a high degree of intensity. England’s game is different from others in that it is played at a faster pace and at a higher intensity.  All things considered, players may play in around fifty matches in a season, a feat which would be rough in itself; however, the players also train and practice year round, increasing chance of injury.

Players suffer under the weight of constant physical stress. Injuries are unavoidable with this kind of consistent strain.

For proof, look no further than England’s National team. We’ve already had the likes of Rio Ferdinand pull out, Bobby Zamora pulled out of the initial 30 man squad due to injury, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Owen (who would have both been certainties if they showed any kind of form and were injury free for the past few years) never stood a chance. Theo Walcott was omitted, by Capello, due to the fact Capello feels he hasn’t been the same player since he injured a shoulder against Stoke in 2008.

The players on the team that are fit, didn’t get that way easily Ledley King needs specialist training to keep his knees in prime condition. David James, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Aaron Lennon and most worryingly of all Wayne Rooney have all recently recovered from injury. Gareth Barry is continuing to do so and will miss the first game of the finals against the U.S.A. Soccer hero David Beckham finally had to call it quits after an Achilles injury pushed him out of the playing squad for the finals.

In England, we love soccer, desiring huge, quick games, by our fervor may indeed end up hurting our players. 

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Soccer players don’t get the exact same kind of esteem here that they do in other countries, and I think which is very unfortunate. Some with the greatest athletes within the globe are soccer players, and as the sport continues to grow in popularity inside the United States, I hope that much more Americans begin to recognize how talented they’re.

I was in England about 10 years ago and happened to see a prominent professional soccer player in London. The guy was practically mobbed, and it took much more than an hour to make it into the restaurant where he was originally headed.

On one more occasion when I was in England, a team called Bradford City defeated the perennial powerhouse Liverpool. The next day, the town in fact had a parade for its soccer players, and they were treated like heroes as they rode on floats down the main street within the city.

There are, of course, the flip sides of those stories, where goalkeepers who give up the winning score have their lives threatened, or worse. You can find also brawls that break out at soccer stadiums that always give a black eye to the sport, but I think that speaks much more about the passion that fans have for soccer than anything else.

Soccer players are among the world’s finest athletes, and ought to receive that same sort of esteem that other athletes receive.

I am not sure if people do not recognize the amount of function that goes into the sport and why it’s lagging in American popularity towards the degree that it can be, however it takes plenty of difficult work and skill to play soccer. An athlete must not only have tremendous stamina and coordination, but also have excellent footwork, which takes years to develop.

Soccer was once referred to as “the gorgeous game,” and it is certainly just that. Watching a great soccer match, to me, is like listening to a stunning symphony; it can be merely breath-taking, and one thing you feel fortunate to have witnessed.

I am not sure if soccer players will ever get the type of esteem they deserve inside the United States. It seems occasionally like baseball, football, basketball and hockey have a stronghold within the country, and if any other sports do break into that realm, it is normally golf, tennis or NASCAR.

While there are many excellent athletes in distinctly American sports like baseball and football, I think it is important to remember that soccer players are playing the world’s game, and that actually must count for something.

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Young stars like Fran Merida and Jack Wilshere, who are clearly ready for first grade experience are being ignored due to the fact Arsenal’s first team squad is well off for talented midfielders, has seen their progress into the first team limited to the occasional appearance in a Carling Cup or FA Cup game or to play in a meaningless Champions League encounter.

With certain youngsters ready for a first grade role Arsene Wenger has landed himself in a difficult situation. With players like Walcott, Fabregas, Diarra, Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky and Ramsey akll vying for a place in the team in central midfield, Arshavin also needs a mention because he can play any role in the midfield, there are very limited spots within the midfield for up and coming youngsters to step into the first division.

The irony at the moment however, Arsenal don’t have and youngster to trial as strikers which they desperately need at the moment, because of injuries to Robin Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner, Arsenals lead strikers.

For a few weeks Wilshere has been linked to a loan move away from Arsenal. Turf Moor have shown interest in moving the youngster, but seeing as manager Owen Coyle is about to move to the Bolton Wanderers, it seems unlikely that much interest will be shown until they resolve their managerial situation. Wilshere himself has stated that he would prefer a loan move to another Premier League side. Recent rumours have leaked that Wilshere is contemplating a loan to West Ham for the rest of the season. Arsene Wenger stated that Wilshere needs to play more first grade games for experience so the transfer seems likely to take place.

A more complicated situation has arisen concerning Fran Merida. The young star was signed by Arsenal from Barcelona as a youngster, much in the same way that Cesc Fabregas joined the club, and the youngster has drawn many comparisons with his Spanish counterpart. Arsenal’s first side however has been to hard for Fran Merida to crack despite his obvious talent, and with his contract due to expire in June 2010 and Arsene Wenger unable to persuade him to sign a new deal with the club, Merida has opted to move back home to Spain and, like Wilshere, will join the club he supported as a boy; Atletico Madrid, this move is a permanent one so gunners fans will say goodbye to him in the new Arsenal jersey forever.

Although Arsenal’s midfield is hard to crack, It’ can’t feel good for Arsenal fans to see young players leave the club to make a name for themselves for another team, albeit temporarily in Wilshere’s case, simply because competition for places in the squad, in their position, is particularly strong.

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First you are going to need the proper equipment. This means you will need two soccer nets as well as a ball. That is the basic equipment but you are also going to need eleven players per each team and there must be a goalie for each team to defend the goal. You should have the different teams wearing their own colors or different styles of jerseys.

This is going to help the players more easily identify who is on their team, so players will not be passing the ball accidentally to someone on the other team. The main point of the game of soccer is for one team to score the ball into the other team’s net. This is much more difficult than it sounds, for a couple of reasons. Being the goalie in soccer is a tough job because the net is so large compared to other sports such as hockey and so there is a lot more area for that one person to cover.

Adults usually get more competitive than even the children so make sure the parents of the girls on your team are acting properly. You may work through a school to be a girls soccer coach or do it separately, but either way you want to show the kids that it means a lot for you to be coaching them. If you are going to be a girls soccer coach then you always need to be on time. Once you are a girls soccer coach, you will need to set up a practice schedule for the girls.

Share Accommodation Is How Players Stay When On Holidays

The playing field of a soccer game is so large that players have to get the ball through the entire length of the field and into the goal in order to get a point. There are only stricter rules and regulations once you get into the professional league of games. No matter what you call the game, it is easy to see why it is so popular and loved by so many. It is not only a fun game to play but also a great way to stay active and stay in shape.

Whether it be the Premier League, Championship, or any other type of league there is always another fan who is just as fanatical as you. Even if you just want to chat or moan about the previous game the football forum is the place to go to find that fan who feels the same as you. If you want to talk about the winner of the world cup or a player from league two. No matter what your problem, query or just general question, football forums are the first point of contact for all your football needs.

Want hints on what team to bet on? Tips on the new Pro Evolution game on the Xbox? Football forums not only discuss televised games but allows you to access answers to all your football questions. The help not only comes from other fans but some pros within the football world will answer some questions. Even if you need help on where the buy the newest, best boots for your local 7 a side team, the football forums provide you with all the advice you fanatics need.

Even if you just want to go online and talk about your local team. Who is playing very well this season? And who should be, literally, booted out? No matter what your question is whether it be easily answered or really difficult, there will always be someone who can answer your query.

They are a great place for the youngest of fans to develop their knowledge and interest in the most well know sport in Britain. It is a place to expand your interests and become more advanced in a sport which you love. Football surrounds our culture and therefore is placed in the media constantly. The football forums allow all fans voices to be heard no matter what you want to say.

Some Football Forums lead onto other sports, such as Formula one or Basketball. No matter what your fanatic about there will be a forum where you can exchange your thoughts and find out what you need to know. Whether you’re new to football or and experienced fan the forums cater to all your needs whether big or small. They allow your interests and thoughts to be heard by many other fans and permit you to speak your mind and get responses. The forums present a place where any fan can start a discussion or just become part of one. All you thoughts and opinions are important so let them be heard in a football forum.

Turkey managed to reach the semi-finals and finish 3d in the 2002 World Cup, which was something that not many people would expect. How many people could really predict that Italy was going to win the 2006 competition?? Definitely there are some favourites but that doesn’t mean that other minor teams shouldn’t have any chance at all. Brazil and Argentina are the no1 favourites given their skill, history and the fact that the competition will take place outside Europe. Germany and Italy are the second favourites to win it, although England, France and Holland have their chances too. Germany because of their consistency, Italy because they are the previous winners, and England because one day they will win it again.

Many agree that it’s going to be a balanced competition during a very warm summer, as they experts have already proclaimed.. Watching the games outdoors makes such a big difference as the world cup has a big social impact. So, all you need is a garden, someone to look after the bbq, a bright, flat TV screen, a pair of outdoor speakers and some good company. Even the kids, who normally are too active to sit down and enjoy a game, would be happy running around or playing with their rc helicopter or when they get tired to watch the footie.

We are all looking forward to a great competition, where hopefully the best team is going to win and all those great players will offer unforgettable moments. So, find your perfect spot and get ready!!