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League Cup: The 2010-2011 calendar
The first round of the 2010-2011 League Cup will kick off on July 30 and 31, 2010, with the final to be played on Saturday, April 23, 2011. Check out the competition format, all the dates and the matches to watch in the first round.

Alou Diarra dismisses talk of Bordeaux exit
France midfielder Alou Diarra has insisted he is committed to Bordeaux despite ongoing interest from French champions Marseille.

Lyon coach Puel admits Gomis could be sold
Lyon boss Claude Puel has hinted he would be prepared to sell striker Bafetimbi Gomis to Fenerbahce.

Mancini leaves US tour due to family illness
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has flown back to Europe during his team´s US tour because of a family illness.

West Brom swoop for Hull keeper Boaz Myhill
West Brom have moved to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season with the signing of Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Redknapp furious over timing of England friendly
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has launched a furious attack on the timing of England's friendly against Hungary and criticised his own club's "crazy" scheduling of "too many" pre-season matches.

Wenger challenges Cesc
With Barcelona's advances subdued for now, Arsene Wenger has challenged wantaway captain Cesc Fabregas to help drive Arsenal towards Premier League title next season.

Wenger expects Arsenal to impress in Emirates Cup
Arsene Wenger wants Arsenal to use this weekend´s Emirates Cup clashes against AC Milan and Celtic to send a warning to their Premier League rivals.

Red Bulls Waive Veteran Forward Wolyniec

Ljungberg makes history quitting Seattle Sounders for Chicago Fire
Arsenal Chicago Fire LA Galaxy MLS Seattle Sounders Chicago Fire have announced that they have acquired former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg from Seattle Sounders. Today’s move marks the first-ever trade of a Designated Player in the history of Major League Soccer. The 33-year-old midfielder becomes the Fire’s second designated player and will become available for selection by Fire Head Coach Carlos de los Cobos this Sunday, Aug. 1 when the Fire take on the LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA at 6:30 PM CT (FSC/FSE). Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “Freddie is an exceptional player, with world-class talent and we are thrilled to have him join the Chicago Fire,” said Fire Technical Director Frank Klopas. “He is a player with an illustrious career and as an attacking player he will help us towards our goal of bringing the MLS Cup to Chicago.” Credited as one of the founding members of Seattle Sounders FC, Ljungberg (pronounced LOON-berg) helped lead the expansion side to the 2009 MLS Cup playoffs in their inaugural season. In 2009, Ljungberg tallied two goals and nine assists, including five game winning assists, as the former Arsenal great was named to the 2009 MLS Best XI. “I have been thinking long and hard about the next step in my career and I am extremely happy to become the newest member of the Chicago Fire,” said Ljungberg. “I had a very long and exciting meeting with Fire owner Andrew Hauptman and technical director Frank Klopas. Their vision and commitment to this club and to winning championships was extremely appealing to me. I am looking forward to working with my new teammates, meeting the passionate fans of Section 8 and becoming an active part of the community, which has such a strong and successful sports tradition.”   Need your Arsenal news fix? Click here for all Gunners news and transfer rumours.

Colorado Rapids sign FC Dallas defender Wallace
Colorado Rapids FC Dallas Colorado Rapids have acquired defender Anthony Wallace in a trade with FC Dallas. In exchange, Colorado send their natural 4th round 2011 SuperDraft pick and a conditional 2012 SuperDraft selection to FC Dallas. A four-year veteran, Wallace joins the Rapids having played his entire Major League Soccer career in Dallas since being acquired by the club in the 1st round, 9th overall pick, in the 2007 SuperDraft. Wallace has appeared in 15 games, with 11 starts, with Dallas playing in 842 minutes.

Kansas City Wizards happy to see Sunil Chhetri called into India squad
Colorado Rapids Kansas City Wizards Manchester United MLS Kansas City Wizards announced Friday that attacker Sunil Chhetri has been permitted to join the Indian National Team through the 2011 Asian Cup, in cooperation with the All India Football Federation. Kansas City signed Chhetri from Dempo SC in March, making him the first Indian to join an MLS team and creating considerable media attention around his move abroad. His most recent appearance for the Wizards came in Sunday’s 2-1 upset of Manchester United, coming on in the 69th minute and recording two shots on goal in his 21 minutes of action. "I'm excited to be joining the National Team,” Chhetri said, “but I'll miss Kansas City. Everything was falling into place here, including the big win we just had against Manchester United." Chhetri scored in his debut as a substitute in an exhibition against the University of Tulsa and followed that performance with a hat trick in his next outing against the University of Evansville. He made his first team debut in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in match on April 13th when he was named to the starting lineup in a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids. "This will allow Sunil to play full-time on a regular basis. This will be not only good for him, but good for us in the future, and we always want to help our players develop as much as we possibly can. We look forward to Sunil coming back to Kansas City."

Kansas City Wizards cut loose Santiago Hirsig
D.C. United FC Dallas Kansas City Wizards MLS Kansas City Wizards and midfielder Santiago Hirsig have reached a mutual agreement to part ways. The Argentine was signed by Kansas City prior to the 2009 season and appeared in 26 games for the Wizards last year, but had appeared just once in MLS play this season, in a 2-1 road loss at D.C. United on May 5. Hirsig scored the lone league goal of his Kansas City stay on September 19, 2009 in a 3-2 victory over FC Dallas. He also added one assist.

Kansas City Wizards fans can land themselves Preki figurine!
Kansas City Wizards Manchester United MLS Toronto Toronto FC Everton Kansas City Wizards fans have the opportunity to land themselves a Preki figurine for the match against Toronto FC! Kansas City return to MLS play Saturday with a 7:30 p.m. CT contest against Toronto FC at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Kansas City beat English powerhouse Manchester United 2-1 last Sunday in their last match. The first 4,000 fans to enter the stadium on Saturday will receive a complimentary Preki figurine courtesy of Time Warner Cable. The former Wizards standout and two-time league MVP returns to Kansas City as head coach of Toronto FC. In nine seasons with the Wizards, former Everton star Preki recorded 79 goals and 102 assists and will be inducted in the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame prior to the U.S. Men’s National Team exhibition against Brazil on Tuesday, August 10th at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Prior to Saturday’s match, the Kansas City Wizards Wives Club and 94.9 KCMO are teaming up to assist City Union Mission to collect school supplies, clothing and monetary donations for less fortunate children in the Greater Kansas City area. Bins will be set up at each entrance into the stadium for fans to drop off donations, and those that contribute three or more items at the gates will receive a four-pack of Wizards tumblers.

Arsenal boss Wenger: Premiership even more open this term
Arsenal Arsene Wenger Aston Villa Liverpool Manchester City Roberto Mancini Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes there are more teams capable of winning the title this season. The influx of cash provided to Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini by owner Sheikh Mansour has, according to Wenger, distorted the overall market. "I don't think Man City reflects in general the financial state of international football," said the Arsenal manager. "The transfer market overall is very quiet - clubs are very tight with money." Wenger, though, feels the forthcoming campaign is set to be an "open" contest. "I feel there will be more teams fighting for the title," he said. "It makes it more interesting and open as well - we have seen the start of that last season as well, all of the top teams lost points against the second part of the Premier League. "That trend could even become stronger this year. "There are the three who dominated last year, then you have Spurs, Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa - and you also have one team who is a surprise at the start of the season."   Need your Arsenal news fix? Click here for all Gunners news and transfer rumours.

Wenger hopes to give Arsenal youngsters taste of Cup action
Arsenal Arsene Wenger Robin Van Persie Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hopes to introduce several of his youngsters to fans during the Emirates Cup. Although Arsenal fans will not get to see the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie this weekend, while Abou Diaby, Denilson, Alex Song and Nicklas Bendtner - set to miss the start of the season - are also unavailable, Wenger believes the two games will give the rest of his squad a good workout. "You will see some young players, like [Emmanuel] Frimpong and [Jack] Wilshere, also the new players like [Marouane] Chamakh and [Laurent] Koscielny. It will be good to see them in a competitive environment," said the Gunners boss, whose squad have just returned from a 10-day Austrian training camp. "I will also learn what condition we are in physically, because we have worked quite hard and with two weeks to go it is important that we can last in the games. "The third point is how ready our we with our team play? How sharp is our passing and our quick movement off the ball?"   Need your Arsenal news fix? Click here for all Gunners news and transfer rumours.

Man City schedule more Balotelli talks for Monday
Inter Milan Manchester City Manchester City will hold more talks with Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli on Monday. City are trying to add the teenage striker to their squad, but have yet to come to an agreement with both Inter and the player. According to reports in Italy, City have lowered their offer for Balotelli from an initial €30million (£25m) to €27m (£22.5m) and they are also yet to meet the 19-year-old's personal demands. Balotelli's agent has revealed that the player is becoming "anxious" regarding the failure to finalise a move and discussions now appear to be on hold until after the weekend. Moratti confirmed that no agreement is yet in place, but he remains prepared to let Balotelli leave Inter for the right price. "For Balotelli to go to Man City, we are still missing an agreement with the club," Moratti told Sky Italia. "We will probably talk about this on Monday to try and find a definite agreement with the English side."   Need your Manchester City news fix? Click here for all City news and transfer rumours.

Arsenal boss Wenger: No Barcelona offer will be considered for Cesc
Arsenal Arsene Wenger Barcelona Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists they won't consider any offer from Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas. Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, an international team-mate of Fabregas, maintains Arsenal are trying to keep hold of the player against his will. Wenger, however, insists there will be no more dialogue. "We do not negotiate. If I want to buy your house and you do not want to sell, you do not negotiate with me, that is completely normal." Wenger, though, fully expects his captain to knuckle down and get back to what he is paid for, regardless of what may be going on off the field. "There are all kinds of situations, but I believe what happens after is that when a player stays it is about how much he focused on playing football," said the Gunners boss. "It is always in the interests of the player to perform. "If he is a champion, he goes on the football and wants to be the best he can. All the rest is a poor excuse for a football player."   Need your Arsenal news fix? Click here for all Gunners news and transfer rumours.

West Brom clinch deal for Hull keeper Myhill
Hull City West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of Hull City goalkeeper Boaz Myhill. Myhill, a Wales international, passed a medical on Friday night and will now challenge Scott Carson for the number one shirt at the Baggies. And manager Roberto Di Matteo is happy with his latest addition. "I'm delighted to welcome Boaz to the club," he told West Brom's official website. "He joins us at a good age with a good pedigree, having spent the last two years in the Premier League. "I'm sure he will fit nicely into our goalkeeping department." Myhill has become Di Matteo's fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Pablo Ibanez, Gabriel Tamas and Steven Reid and the Italian is pleased with the strength of his goalkeeping department. "We've now got two very good international goalkeepers working under our coach Dean Kiely. "Competition is vital in all areas of the squad and I'm confident Scott and Boaz will drive each other on."   Need your West Bromwich Albion news fix? Click here for all Baggies news and transfer rumours.

Arsenal boss Wenger: Lack of transfer spending no excuse
AC Milan Arsenal Arsene Wenger Celtic Manchester City Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he doesn't need to make big cash signings for his team to win the title. Arsenal, whose challenge faded as they finished third in May, have once again seen their rivals heavily invest during the summer - with Manchester City again bankrolling an incredible spree to the best part of £100million as they look to blow the title race wide open. "I am concerned about the focus of my team and the quality of my team, and we will try and do as well as well we can," said Wenger, whose side host AC Milan on Saturday and then play Scottish giants Celtic in the Emirates Cup on Sunday. "No matter what happens this season, the money will not be an excuse if we do not achieve our targets. We know the world we live in." The Gunners boss continued: "Do I think we have a team to play at the top? Looking at the players we have, I say yes. "It does not go into financial consideration. I judge whether they are good enough in the championship. "Have the other clubs more money or less money? It is not important. "It is whether the players are better players or lesser players and I think we can compete with the players we have."   Need your Arsenal news fix? Click here for all Gunners news and transfer rumours.