The United States is headed to the 2010 World Cup next year after clinching qualification with a 3-2 win over Honduras on Saturday October 11th.

Conor Casey scored his first two international goals in the second half, Landon Donovan added another and the United States clinched its sixth straight World Cup berth with a game to spare.

In one of the most thrilling end-to-end matches the U.S. has played in many years, the Americans needed a late penalty miss by the hosts to get the win.

Following a handball in the penalty area by U.S. defender Jonathan Spector, Carlos Pavon blazed his penalty over the crossbar in the 87th minute, then the striker again fired high with an open header from in the 89th.

The United States is top of the CONCACAF qualifying group and assured of one of the three automatic berths.

Mexico also clinched a World Cup berth on Saturday with a 4-1 victory over visiting El Salvador. Costa Rica moved into third after winning at home against Trinidad and Tobago.

Honduras, seeking its second World Cup appearance and first since 1982, and dropped into fourth. If the Catrachos are still in that spot after the final match at El Salvador on Wednesday, they would meet the No. 5 nation from South America in a playoff.

“You don’t want to go into the last game leaving anything to chance,” Donovan said.

“We’re very proud,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. “We understand the responsibility we have every time we step on the field for our fans, for our country.”

Honduras has been in turmoil since a June military coup, but the crowd was united behind its team.

“This isn’t an easy place to play,” Donovan said. “No one else has won here in qualifying and we just did.”

Torino midfielder Julio Cesar De Leon put Honduras ahead in the 47th minute when he curved a free kick over the wall and to the right of leaping U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard from just outside the penalty area.

That set off sustained boisterous cheering and jumping that made Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano shake, but the sellout crowd of about 40,000 was silenced when Casey equalized in the 55th.

Onyewu sent a long pass downfield, and Charlie Davies nodded it across the area to Casey, who outjumped a defender and outmuscled goalkeeper Noel Valladares for his first goal in 15 international appearances.

David Suazo nearly put Honduras ahead in the 65th, one minute after entering, but Howard made a leaping fingertip save. Casey then gave the U.S. the lead a minute later when he split two defenders, took a pass from Donovan and scored from 16 yards.

Donovan, who set an American record with his 10th assist of the year, extended his U.S. scoring record on a 21-yard free kick in the 71st minute.

De Leon added his second goal in the 78th minute and Maurcio Sabillion nearly tied it in the 82nd, putting a bicycle kick over the bar.

Honduras: Noel Valladares, Osman Chavez, Maynor Figueroa, Hendry Thomas (Ramon Nunez 74), Wilson Palacios, Carlos Pavon, Julio De Leon (Walter Martinez 79), Emilio Izaguirre, Carlos Costly, Mauricio Sabillon, Edgar Alvarez (David Suazo 63).

United States: Tim Howard, Jonathan Spector, Carlos Bocanegra, Michael Bradley, Jonathan Bornstein, Ricardo Clark, Oguchi Onyewu, Stuart Holden (Steve Cherundolo 90), Conor Casey (Benny Feilhaber 84), Charlie Davies, Landon Donovan.

For years, if you were to ask the average Joe on the street to name the best soccer player in the world, those who do not follow soccer closely would probably say something to the effect of, “David Beckham.  He’s the only one I know.”

Times have changed, and it appears there’s a challenger for the world’s most famous soccer playboy.

Cristiano Ronaldo is quickly becoming the new Hollywood-style soccer pro who is stirring up the buzz on and off the field.  The 23-year-old is the first since Beckham to draw the attention of the world outside of futbol with a tabloid and paparazzi following that is starting to rival that of the decade-older Beckham.  He nabbed yet another individual award when he comfortably won the iconic Ballon d’Or trophy Tuesday and his sponsorship deal with Nike is making headlines of its own.

Another sign of the attention he is receiving can be seen in the way that the two compare on Google Trends:

While Beckham still holds the edge on the number of total search results for his name with 18.4 million versus 16.2 million for Ronaldo, a Google search for news about each stacks up differently:

• Google News Results for “Cristiano Ronaldo” - 22,839
• Google News Results for “David Beckham” - 12,211

Both are talented players.  One is rising to prominence on the field while the other is in the twighlight of his career.  Regardless of how Ronaldo fairs in the future and what Beckham does next, the pictures below say a lot about both… they’re in the spotlight, and they know it.  Whether they are in their soccer apparel or not, the pictures will keep on coming.

On the field, their personalities are as bright as they are off the field.

While Ronaldo is in the tabloids regularly with new relationships, Beckham has maintained a long-term marriage.

Any time the shirts come off, the flashbulbs start popping.

Even though they both have Hollywood glamour surrounding them, it's their skills on the field that have propelled them to stardom.

Read more about soccer stars on this soccer blog.

After beating out American Vogue editor Anna Wintour with a bid of $276,000 for the one-hour lesson, Beckham and Hayek have had a difficult time getting their hectic schedules to match.  Between Hayek’s acting schedule and soccer obligations that Beckham has with the Los Angeles Galaxy, they haven’t been able to fit an hour together into the mix.

A spokesman for Beckham said, “As yet, we haven’t been able to sort out a date that suits all parties.”

Beckham, 33, who signed a short-term contract with AC Milan, will be in Italy and across Europe during his “loan” period to the Italian team.

Hayek, 42, is currently working on 2 films as well as juggling being a mother.  The real question is: Will she be wearing women’s Beckham soccer jerseys or will she opt for something from her native Mexico?

The terms of the charity auction do not impose a time-limit on delivery of purchased services.

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Read more soccer news stories at Soccershop Portal or get soccer apparel.

Dragging the Ball Back

This is one of the important forms of soccer moves. In this move, you have to use the top of your foot for pulling the ball back and the inside of your foot when pushing the ball to the left or right. You have to use the sole of the other foot in dragging the ball back and the instep is used to push the ball to the left or right side. You have to pull back the ball with the sole of the foot and the outside of the foot is used to push the ball to the either side.

Quick Pass to Yourself

In this move, you have to pass the ball to your other foot with the inside of the foot and push the ball by the side of the defender. Timing is the key and the trick in this kind of move. Make sure of the defender being off-balance or flatfooted and build up the momentum to pass the ball across the body and off to the other foot, pushing past the defender. To eschew getting a foul or being caught, always allow your body to be kept between the ball and the defender.

Double Pass to Yourself

In this move, you are trying to read the direction in which the defender is trying to go. This type of play requires you to pass the ball to the other foot, followed by back before you play the ball to the side and off past the defender. If you could make that the counter player is all set to beat you to the ball after you have played, then play it back to your other foot pushing it back by the side of defender.

You can add subtle moves to your drilling. A good drilling encompasses of passing the ball back and forth between the legs with inside of the feet.

Step Over With One Foot

In this move, you are not to dribble but instead stand or move at a slow pace. More often than not, it is a set-up play in which to swing in a cross or taking a shot.

This move will give you a rapid opening to hit a shot or cross. You have to fore mostly set the defender up for the move. Go slow for the initial steps, touching the ball with inside foot in the direction opposite to where you want to go after the move. Deceive and lull the defender into sleep and just dart the ball into the space after the slow moves

A Great Escape

Have your team players to act as outlets or as a means of escape. You can have 2 center midfielders who can play a short pass to settle the play giving time to make the next pass. The short pass can get you out of the pressure from the opposite team and with the third long pass you can hit a penetrating pass to run making team and outmaneuver them.

So use the tips to master the different moves and be an expert in your play.

Every soccer player experiences a constant input in terms of lessons, new twists to play, new collaborations, sharing of new information and the like. Here, we have cited some of the tricks and tips to master the game and outmaneuver it.

3 Ways To Get Into The Game

1. Always ask for the ball. Be in the game and on your toes by putting yourself in a position and state of readiness.
2. Always intend to get the ball back. So keep on switching the play and making the passes by getting the ball and giving it, simultaneously spreading the ball and finding an open player. In short, just pass and move.
3. Be active and avoid passiveness, taking people on. The stratagems of dribbling at people and going by them make a good play. Also, take a shot or flick the ball off to the team player at the very last minute.

Sharpness Of Your Passes- The Key

A crisp and sharp pass is easier to control and makes the next move with the ball quite facile than with a lazy, soft pass. It is less effortful to re-direct the ball into the intended space, when it is passes to you with a good pace.

Hitting the ball with pace makes the game more intensive and the flow of the game is quick. A message of assertiveness is passed on to the opposite player as to the readiness to receive the ball quickly and strike it back.

A player can retain the ball for a very short period. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to get the ball and take advantage of the time and space, so that the team can very quickly shoot and ultimately score.
On the other hand, there may be times when you need to play a soft pass. The weight of the pass will send a different message. It implies that the player intends to come back to receive the pass and thus opening up of the space behind the team player. A hard pass implies that you are tightly marked and must shield the ball or give a pass with one touch.

The Ball Must Be Kept Moving

Spread your players in such positions, which enables them to take the players on. Get the ball and move it onto them when they are in a position with more space and time, read they are open.
Always know what you want to do with the ball before you get it. Keep your head cool and up. Control the ball off from the defender and maneuver it into the intended space.

Design of soccer balls

The craft and design of the soccer ball has changed a lot, right from the time of its manufacture. The vital reasons which caused the change were the comfort factor, the weight, the shape and the throw. The first manufactured soccer ball had the design of a bucky ball. It had twelve black hexagonal shapes and twenty hexagonal shapes in white. The standard of these thirty two panels or hexagonal shapes emerged as the basic designing of the soccer balls. The colour scheme of white and black was chosen to enhance the visual factor while the ball was tracked during telecasts.

With time, several varieties of the soccer ball, made to the market. The balls are basically used for three categories:

• The children’s soccer
• The local tournaments
• The international matches

For the previous two categories, the balls are not demanded to be as standardized as the one which are used for the international matches. Single layer balls which are light in weight are normally preferred. These are made of synthetic items. The cost of the local soccer balls is a bit high. The weight of the soccer balls, differ from variety to variety. A lot of improvisations have been introduced in the designing to give a sportier look to these balls.

The balls designed by Adidas, are basically made of foam and they are covered with leather. Due to this reason they are light in weight. The specialty of the Adidas balls are its features mentioned below:

• They have the needed spin and can spiral
• They can move fast and gain inertia of motion, in accordance with the throw or kick

Thus, a lot of analysis goes in chalking the appropriate designing theme for the soccer balls, as it controls the entire movement and effectiveness of the balls.

With time, Adidas ball is a term synonymous to soccer ball. Whether its world cup or international tournaments, Adidas rules the fields. Some of its distinguishing features are

• Quality and weight
• Grip on the ball
• Stitched joining of different panels
• Glossy ball

Tango-the world cup ball

Tango, the Adidas Ball for Soccer, has been chiefly deigned for world cups. It has been selected as the official ball for the international tournaments for the past six years. The fascinating provides the impression that there are twelve circles on the face of the soccer ball. Thus, the longevity of this ball has increased dramatically and now it had captured the markets by being the best soccer ball.

There are plenty of things one should know and bear in mind before setting his foot in the field. The adequate knowledge of equipments, attire, rules and regulations, fouls and foreplay can lend a hand in your breathtaking play and can see you standing unhurt through the game. The main motive of the game is to push the ball into the goal area without having touched the ball with hands or arms and simultaneously prevent your opponents from increasing their score card.

A single team of soccer consists of minimum of 7 players and at the max of 11 players. The team has to be even on both sides. Some of the common terminology attached with the team and players are:

• Goalkeeper or goalie laden with the aim of guarding the goal and preventing the opposite team from scoring a goal. He is allowed to use his hands for stopping the ball whenever he is in penalty area.
• Sweeper dole out as the last line of defense before the soccer ball enters the goalkeeper’s arena.
• Defenders are those who defend the opposite team from scoring a goal.
• Forwards or strikers possess the mission of scoring goal for their team.
• Midfielders not only act as defenders but also help their own forwards.

Rules of the game

• A legal move (ball should not be touched by hands or arms) can score a goal for a team which sends the ball into other team’s goal.
• Each goal earns a single point for the team and scoring is done on the sum total of the goals scored by the team.
• The game is played in two equal halves. After one half of the game is over the sides are switched. In professional games, each half is of 45 minutes.
• The game is ended when the referee signals the over of the time.

Dress gear for the soccer

• Each player included in the team of soccer must be fully dressed in the team’s jersey and shorts with the jersey bearing the number of the player at the back.
• The player should also in addition wear shin guards which should be completely covered with socks.
• The player should wear shoes most probably soccer cleats.

Penalties and punishments

The following reasons can show the player a yellow or red card and this can award the opponent team with a benefit of penalty kick, indirect or direct free kick. A player can be given yellow card when

• He shows behavior unlike of a sportsman.
• Leaves or enter the field without the permission of referee.
• Repeatedly disobey the rules.
• Not maintain the required distance from the ball at the start of the game.

More grievous fouls can award the player a red card.

• Violent conduct
• Serious foul play
• Spitting at someone
• Abusive language
• Denying the opponent of scoring by mishandling the ball (except as allowed to the goalies)
• Denying the opponent of scoring by committing a foul against that player.
• A second yellow card

A player who is shown a red card is no more allowed to continue the game and is not even replaced. The team has to play with one player short.

This is the essential know how of this frenzy game of ball which aims at nothing except providing 90 minutes of fervent and fanatical game play (guarded by the laws) to both the players as well as fans of the game.

Soccer fans outrageous war paint and getups:

Like father, like son.

Red sun rising over blue horizon.

Group therapy: put on muscle suits, wear orange spiked hair and tongues, and head to the game.

It’s not a costume.  I just have a very large, pointy brain.

If the game doesn’t work out, there’s always the circus.

Football fans outrageous war paint and getups:

The sun is not my friend.

Help!  I’m being chased by a Cleveland Browns fan!

I am the Grand Poobah of the Patriots.  You can tell by my hat.

Don’t mess with the homeless Steelers fan, Lisa Simpson hair or not.

Hey ref!  I dare you to blow this whistle.

Of course, getting dressed up is one thing.  Delivering a beat-down to an opposing team’s fans takes it to another level.  It’s not that we condone these fights at all.  Still, they happen, and sometimes they get put on YouTube.  Welcome to the 21st century.

Which brawls show the deepest level of team devotion?  Watch them and decide for yourself.

Soccer brawl videos:

Football brawl videos:

Some of the reasons why soccer betting has evolved are as follows:

• The future in this game is assured. All most every country is passionate about it, with millions of soccer fans, flocking the stadiums for both national and international matches.

• Several sites have also emerged which provide quality tipping services. These sites, in particular, are useful for punters who will relish the fruitful victories. It also boosts the confidence of other punters who are still setting their foot into the game. Thus, understanding and investing is not a Herculean task for punters.

• There has been a prominent increase in the target audience of soccer betting. Simultaneously, the number of bookmarkers has also evolved. The handicap style of Asian betting has grown popular in phenomenal terms. Thus, it has been adopted as a business. Hundreds of bookmarkers, hailing from Europe, are providing the customers with Asian handicap odds.

• Rather than just relying on the bookmarkers, the punters should also search for quality tipping service provider. This would help the punters in receiving appropriate reports rather than wasting valuable time in watching the past matches and drawing a conclusion. In addition to it, analyzing the pros and cons of matches is not a simple deal. If wrong, the inverter would literally risk his entire bank balance. Thus, the service provider helps in making the punters aware of the intricacies involved in soccer betting. Only this can ensure a reliable future in this kind of investment.

• The importance of tipping services has increased tremendously as they offer group analysts who examine the entire outcome of different games. These analysts have years of experience and expertise, in the field.

• A reliable tipping service doesn’t fit under the limits of cheap investment. Well, if they are flawless, they are quite expensive too. But, in case, you are serious regarding searching and investing in tipping services, their returns would ensure the longevity of your affluence.

• There are several tipping services which demand cheap investment. Better beware from such unreliable frauds.

Now, after dealing with the elementary details on soccer betting, there’s much more to it. The basic reason which had attracted the attention of soccer players is the high prize money and investment at low stakes. It does not differentiate between males and females; hence anyone who has the taste for football can invest in it. Several techniques like soccer concepts, climbing growth charts, etc have evolved to grab the market. Crowd considers soccer betting much more reliable than the casinos, which indeed proves to establish its stronghold in much more phenomenal terms.

In early 19th century, countries such as Denmark, France, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, etc decided to form a governing association for the sport of football and thus, FIFA came into existence. Federation International Football Association further felt the need to organize international competitions for taking the sport to new levels of fame.

1920s saw the emergence of professional football leagues, and the first ever World Cup Football Tournament took place in Uruguay. The winner was the host country beating Argentina in the final match. By this period, many European countries started taking active interest in football sports. The World Cup became so popular that almost 36 nations participated in the 1938 football World Cup Tournament. The preliminary matches were played so that only sixteen best final teams entered the final stages. France was the official host of the 1938 World Cup and Italy won the grand final Cup.

It is almost 150 years since football game found its existence in the streets of London. In such short period, the game has seen phenomenal success from being a humble local English game to an international craze of billions worldwide. Nearly 3 billion people are said to be avid soccer fans all over the globe, and the numbers are increasing everyday.

Soccer has generated many legendary stories; some are mere myths while some hold fascinating historical facts. It is rumored that early gaming style of football saw Chinese players trying to play a very blunt and rustic game during the ancient 2nd century BC. Likewise the Americans were known to practice a mix game of basketball and football. Kicking a ball may be hard, especially if you have to control and maneuver it to a goal post.

As the game was introduced to European territory, Soccer started gaining immense fame with several countries starting association teams. Very old form of soccer includes the titillating game of mob soccer that involves the whole of a village or town members. In Mob Soccer, the teams had unlimited playing members with the opposing teams having to kick the football towards any particular landmark and guard their own positions. It was very wild and chaotic form of soccer. And to add to the ruckus, the ball was made of animal bladder and leathery skins stuffed with lots of rags or waste materials.

Despite its colorful past, the soccer game is a international sport of great importance, the most accepted game in the entire world.

The FIFA is considered to be at par with the Olympics. But, not every country is fortunate enough to participate in World Cup matches as there is intense competition to reach the final stages of the World Cup Tournament.