Fans from all over the Vancouver area have tickets to see the French living soccer legend, though without Zidane the game must go on.

Zidane was instrumental in bringing France to win the 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euro Cup. He retired after leading France to the 2006 World Cup finals after being sent off by refs when he head-butted Italian player Marco Materazzi. Zidane later said that he insulted him.

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Wigan's Antonio Valencia signs new deal with Manchester United worth $32 million.

Reports today are that Antonio Valencia has signed a deal with Manchester United for a reported four year $32.5 million. That’s way less than what it would have cost to keep Cristiano. So the real question right now is whether or not Antonio will be able to par Cristiano’s past performance. Not easy considering he was named best player by FIFA last year winning the golden ball award.

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I have been getting slack from a few TheFootie readers who dislike the fact that I continue to use the word soccer. While the rest of the world say football, us fans of the game are forced to say soccer because the word football is already taken.

Toronto FC vs Real Salt Lake

We can’t change that fact overnight. If I were to say football all the time people would be confused as to which sport I am referring too. Not to mention the confusions of other readers of EveryJoe.com, TheFootie’s parent blog.

What I am trying to say is that yes I realize the sport is called football but unless everyone else in your community use the term it cannot be used to identify the sport. Let’s also not forget that soccer and football/rugby were essentially the same sport when in the 1800’s two groups couldn’t agree on a specific set of rules. Some believed that only the feet should be used while others believed that a combination of hands and feet are allowed. Rugby of course then evolved into American Football.

If you want to get technical then we should call soccer cuju as it was originally called in China during the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. or call it ‘kick the can’ as it was played in England.

It isn’t important what we call the sport so long as it is played internationally by the same set of rules. It should be a way of uniting the world instead of diving it between the Footballers and the heathen Soccer North Americans.

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Ground broken for Hiddink soccer center

The stadium will be named after Guss Hiddink (who stands fifth from the left), former head coach of the South Korean national team. Other city officials participated in the ceremony that took place in Incheon, South Korea.

Hiddink was awarded the honour because he is seen as a kind of miracle worker as he lead the South Korean national soccer team to the 2002 World Cup semifinals.

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What this image lays out for me is the importance of laying the foundation of soccer in young players. Give them a place to train and perfect their skills. And above all allow them to continue to play throughout their school years.

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Here’s the official blockquote.

The ad follows the fortunes of an unknown teenager who is plucked from a youth team game by Arsene Wenger and ends up starring for Arsenal and Holland.

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Germany U-21 team celebrates 2009 Euro Under-21 Cup win.

It was a sold out crowd at the Malmo Stadium in Sweden. English coach Stuart Pearce told reporters that he was disappointed in the loss but that he plans to analyze the game to help improve the team. He was signed for another two year contract with the Under-21 team.

Image: TSN.com

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Brazil celebrates victory over USA in FIFA Confederations Cup final - June 28, 2009

It was within USA grasp, yet they couldn’t quite make the magic happen. The game ended in a narrow victory of 3-2. Donovan lead the USA in a 2-0 lead before half-time, yet by the end of the game Brazil fought back with everything they had. Brazil certainly earned this win, though it was disappointing for US fans who looked forward to their first FIFA win ever. Instead they will just need to be satisfied with the fact that this was the first time ever the United States played in a FIFA final, a title long overdue.

Image: TSN.ca

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The BMO field was packed with 10,152 spectators who all came out to watch Zidane. The score drew 3-3 after Zidane and Friends couldn’t quite clench the lead. Zidane was scoreless though he did make some impressive passes. One kick failed to connect and another hit the post. Later, Zidane told reporters that he was not used to playing on artificial turf but added that he understands why it’s needed in a place like Canada.

Zidane and Friends will be playing in Montreal and Vancouver before heading home.

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The young 24 year old bachelor and a few of his close friends flew out to LA to spend the summer. They did everything typical guys with allot of cash would do. Hit up the clubs and hung out with the socialites of the town.

There were reports that he met up with Paris Hilton at a few of the clubs. People close to Ronaldo said that he was trying to hook up with Paris but she eventually turned him down saying that he was a sissy compared to the macho guys she prefers.

In Europe any girl would have given in to Cristiano but in N. America it take a little more than cash to woo the locals. If he had played baseball or hockey he’d have a chance but as a soccer player, no way. Plus let’s face it, the way he plays falling for every minor touch he might just be a real sissy.

Too bad, I suppose he’ll just have to find another model to hit on, one who likes the mama’s boy type.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

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