Tim Howard Scores Amazing Goal For Everton From His Goal Keeper Position

Although Everton did lose the match 1-2 to Bolton, American goal keeper Tim Howard scored an amazing goal.

Check it out:

Soccer Player Ruptures Testicle While Scoring Goal

File this under things you probably never wanted to read about.

Scott Dann, a defender for the Blackburn Rovers, suffered the injury during a match against West Bromwich Albion on December 17.  He apparently was injured when he scored a goal in the second half, but continued playing despite increasing pain.

Following the game, Dann was transported to the hospital after his injured testicle got grotesquely swollen.  Surgery was successful and Dann should be back in action in about six weeks.

Gives new meaning to the term "balls to the wall," doesn't it?

No Air-Conditioning For Qatar World Cup With Temps Expected Above 106 Degrees?

I'm not going to immediately call this a disaster of epic proportions, but Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup (in part) on their assurance that the weather would not be a concern.

This is something akin to a city in Alaska winning a bid to host the Super Bowl on the basis of getting a dome built, and then deciding to build an open-air stadium instead.

Originally, Qatar officials told FIFA they could bring the temperature down to 26 degrees Celsius (78.8 degrees Fahrenheit), but John Barrow, the architect behind much of the new construction needed in Qatar, is shooting down the idea that air conditioning the stadiums is a feasible idea.

"It doesn’t need to be 26°C," he added. "Fan expectation needs to be a little more relaxed."

What Happens When You Taunt Greek Soccer Players? They Pull Your Shorts Down! Video!

I really don't anything else to add here.  I think the video speaks for itself.

Wayne Rooney Suspended For Three Euro 2012 Matches After Stupid Kick To Opponent's Leg

England striker Wayne Rooney has hurt his team once again after being suspended by UEFA for what should be the entire group stage at the 2012 Euro tournament.  The suspension was given for an act carried out by Rooney during England's match with Montenegro last week.

In the video, you can see the Montenegro player take the ball away from Rooney, who then appears frustrated and angry.  He tries to jump the back of the other player and when that doesn't work, he kicks first at his foot and then at the back of his leg.

Now typically, a red card usually results in a one-game suspension in international play.  However, UEFA reserves the right to extend that suspension if they feel it is necessary.  Given Rooney's reputation and prior misconduct, it's clear they are sending a message.

Video: Clint Dempsey's Goal vs Honduras - Skill and Patience Prevailed

Clint Dempsey scored the only goal in the USA Men's match with Honduras yesterday, and it was a nifty one.  In the past, an American player who got the ball in the box surrounded by defenders would probably have panicked and try to send a quick re-direct in the direction of the goal (and miss wildly).  Dempsey takes the time to gather the ball in, make a few fakes, and then send a beautiful curling shot into the corner of the goal.

It's a world-class shot from our latest world-class player.  Landon Donovan used to be USA's greatest player, but I believe that Clint Dempsey has overtaken him.  From his increasingly productive play for the national team, to his time as starter for the Premier League's Fulham.  Dempsey is the one to watch out for in the next few years.

Video: Didier Drogba Unconscious For 30 Minutes Following Dangerous Blow to Head

Didier Drogba, one of soccer's biggest world superstars, was knocked unconscious today in Chelsea's match against Norwich.

Drogba was attempting to head the ball past goalkeeper John Ruddy, but instead a flying mid-air collision took place that dropped Drogba, boneless, to the ground.

Klinsmann Sets Roster For Next Two US Friendly Matches - New/Old Faces

The United States has two upcoming friendly soccer matches in the coming few weeks.  The first match is on September 2 against Costa Rica in Los Angeles.  The second is in Belgium against their national team on September 6.

US Men's National Team Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann has set his roster for these matches.  There are some differences from the last match against Mexico, with some notable inclusions/exclusions.

Goalkeepers

Tim Howard

Bill Hamid

American Soccer Players Are Over In European Leagues And Kicking Butt (Scoring Goals!)

Unbeknownst to many Americans, there are currently 55 American soccer players playing soccer in European Leagues.  While most casual soccer fans know that Landon Donovan is a star player in the MLS, not many know that most of the men's national soccer team don't play regularly in this country.  Aside from the group that is currently playing in Mexico (many of which played in the friendly against El Tri)

Here are some of the names you might recognize and where they play in Europe:

US Men's Soccer Team Reactions After Tie With Mexico

Several players interviewed by US Soccer after the friendly match with Mexico. One good point made by Donovan was how when the Americans picked up the pressure against Mexico, they really turned the game around. Juan Agudelo makes another point on how he appreciates new coach Jurgen Klinsmann's approach. Many players mentioned the increased energy on the field.

Freddy Adu Is Back In the MLS With His Old Coach

Freddy Adu is returning to America to play in the MLS in what will undoubtedly be called his "comeback."  When he left the MLS four years ago, many thought he was headed to bigger and brighter things.

Photo: Bob Levey/Getty Images

Video: Rogers' Goal To Tie USA-Mexico Match

US Men's National Soccer Team Draws With Mexico In Klinsmann Debut

It was almost as if there was a microcosm of the past few weeks of US Soccer displayed on the pitch tonight against Mexico.  In the first half, the team looked disjointed and off-balance, in the way that they have played at times under former coach Bob Bradley.

In the second half, with some excellent substitutions, the US Squad made it a game by tying it up on a Robbie Rogers goal in the 73rd minute and then narrowly missing a few chances to win the game at the end.

Video: Jurgen Klinsmann Discusses His First Camp as Head Coach Of the Men's National Soccer Team

Courtesy of US Soccer. Check out Tim Howard's two amazing saves made in this video:

Chicharito Will Miss Premiere League Opener, Still Recovering From Concussion

Javier Hernandez (aka Chicharito) is still being held out of action by his Manchester United team in order to bring him along more carefully following a concussion suffered on July 27.  He's also been held out of the the USA-Mexico match on Wednesday for the same reason.

Recent reports revealed that young Hernandez apparently has suffered from migraines in the past, and some reporters are trying to link his current condition to this prior episode.

Jurgen Klinsmann: American Soccer Players Need To Be Fitter And Play Thousands More Hours

Grant Wahl has another great interview with US Men's National Soccer Team Coach Jurgen Klinsmann up on SI.com today in advance of the US-Mexico friendly on Wednesday.

Some key points to the interview, which can be read here:

• Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Alejandro Bedoya were left off the roster simply because it was deemed detrimental to their development to leave their European club teams right now.  They appear to Klinsmann to be in a good rhythm and playing well there, so he felt it best to let them stay in Europe as the Club season begins this week.

US Men's Soccer Team Finally Practices With Klinsmann; Prepares for match with Mexico

On Sunday, most of the United States Men's National Soccer team convened with their new head coach, Juergen Klinsmann, to begin preparations for Wednesday's friendly against Mexico in Philadelphia.

Klinsmann Releases US Roster For Mexico Match; Four Primera Division Starters on US Roster

Head Coach Juergen Klinsmann today released the roster for the friendly match against USA and Mexico next week on August 10.  The roster includes a mix of veterans and younger players that reflect some of the new direction in the national team that Klinsmann discussed at his introductory press conference.

"There's so much influence from the Latin environment that has to be reflected in the national team," Klinsmann said.

Future World Cup Stars? Four Young American Soccer Players You Need To Know

One of the more exciting aspects to Juergen Klinsmann taking over the American Men's National Soccer team is the fresh look he will give to all the players.  There hasn't been a lot of change in the roster of the team over the past few years, despite the aging.

Freddy Adu's selection to the Gold Cup roster aside, former coach Bob Bradley seemed reluctant to give chances to the youngest players in the roster pool.  As a result, you could see on the field the declining speed, especially on defense.  Expect that to change, especially after the Summer Olympics in London next year.

World Cup 2014: USA Men's Team Gets Highly Favorable Draw

Even though it's only 2011, preparation for World Cup 2014 qualification is already underway with new head coach Juergen Klinsmann taking the reins of the American team.  The entire roster is to be re-evaluated, an entirely new system of play has to be implemented, and there needs to be time for everyone to adjust.