Monthly Archives: February 2009

Lyon and Bordeaux remain separated by only one point at the top of France’s Ligue 1 standings after they both had to settle for ties at home. Rangers moved to within two points of Glasgow rival Celtic in Scotland, while Trabzon tied Sivas for the lead in the Turkey. For all the weekend results and updated standings …

[USA-MEXICO COUNTDOWN] Mexico received good news when captain Rafael Marquez returned to action ahead of schedule with Spanish leader Barcelona — and got sent off, meaning he’ll miss next weekend’s La Liga action and be rested for the World Cup 2010 qualifier against the United States on Feb. 11. Marquez was one of seven European-based players called up by Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson for the Hexagonal opener.

[DIGICEL UNCAF CUP] Panama broke Costa Rica’s streak of three straight Central American championships with its first Digicel Uncaf Cup title, while Nicaragua qualified for the Gold Cup for the first time. Poor performances by El Salvador and Guatemala resulted in the ouster of their coaches.

[SPAIN] Nothing seems to stop Barcelona. Despite trailing at Racing Santander and having two players sent off, Barca still won, 2-1, on a pair of goals by sub Lionel Messi and extended its unbeaten streak to 20 games and its winning streak to nine games. Winner of six straight wins, Real Madrid still trails its archrival by 12 points.

[GERMANY] The Bundesliga resumed as it left off with tiny Hoffenheim the surprise leader. Despite having lost top scorer Vedad Ibisevic, the former Saint Louis University star, for the rest of the season with a knee injury during the winter break, Hoffenheim brushed aside Energie Cottbus, 2-0, on Saturday.

[ITALY] With assists on two goals in AC Milan’s 3-0 win at Lazio on Sunday, David Beckham looks more and more comfortable on the Serie A club’s right wing, prompting Coach Carlo Ancelotti to add him to the roster for the upcoming UEFA Champions League series against Werder Bremen.

[ENGLAND] It looks like Liverpool, not Chelsea, will be Manchester United’s principal challenger in its title defense. Liverpool beat an uninspired Chelsea team, 2-0, on a pair of late goals by Spaniard Fernando Torres and kept itself within striking distance of leader United. The Red Devils, 1-0 winners over Everton, lead Liverpool by two points and Chelsea by five and have a game in hand on both teams.

[AMERICANS ABROAD] U.S. Olympian Jozy Altidore, who moved from the New York Red Bulls to the Spanish La Liga’s Villarreal last summer, is going on loan to Spanish second division leader Xerez.

[AMERICANS IN GERMANY] Landon Donovan was a 77th minute sub for Bayern Munich, which fell 1-0 at Hamburg SV. Michael Bradley played the full 90 for Borussia Moenchengladbach as his team suffered its league-high 13th loss of the season.