From Farther off the Wall:

Eric Wynalda, the former U.S. men’s soccer star who was more than critical of the coaching job that Bruce Arena did for the national team during the recent World Cup, now has to work with the guy as a broadcast partner. ESPN2’s coverage of the MLS Eastern Conference championship game between New England and D.C. United (Sunday, 1 p.m.) pairs up Wynalda with Arena, who was eventually fired by U.S. soccer and hired by the MLS’ New York Red Bulls, on the telecast where the below-average Dave O’Brien does play-by-play.

MLS Red Bulls:

Last spring, he reportedly offered a 10-year, $120 million contract to the Brazilian star forward Ronaldo. (Red Bull acknowledges only a meeting.) Rumors have also surfaced of talks with the European stars David Beckham and Zinédine Zidane. In September, the team broke ground on a new $200 million soccer stadium in Harrison, N.J., which would seat 25,000 fans and move the Red Bulls out of cavernous Giants Stadium.

Leagues around the world all have a handful of clubs that dominate. Arena believes that will create more interest in MLS, not less.

"Parity doesn't bring fans to games. Fans want to see good teams," he said. "They want to see dynasties and they don't mind seeing teams struggle and other teams excel. It's a flavorless product at times, but we do need to have years where there's the New York Yankees and whoever's at the bottom in baseball. That's natural.

"I think that's good for sports, when you have front-runners and teams that struggle. That's the real animal."

Carin Gabarra:

“Accept nothing less than winning and being one of the best teams in the world, always. They train that way, they act that way and I’m sure they’re going to deliver and continue to play that way.”

"When I was growing up, I didn’t walk outside and see girls playing sports in the street. It didn’t happen. And now I go out and see it all the time. I don’t think the other mothers appreciate the impact that has and how important that is to me just to see them realize they can go in the street and kick a soccer ball or throw a lacrosse ball around.”

 
"Orange is a happy colour." (Oranje is een blije kleur) "

"Hendrik Johannes Cruijff (Johan Cruijff (help·info)) - often spelled Cruyff outside the Netherlands; born April 25, 1947 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch football manager/coach and former star player, regarded as one of the greats of the game. Named three times European Footballer of the Year (1971, 1973, 1974) and European Player of the Century by the IFFHS in 1999, he was a silky exponent of the football philosophy known as Total Football, developed by his coach Rinus Michels. "

"As a player, Cruijff was known for his technical ability: his mesmeric ball skill, speed and acceleration, the ability to change direction at will and his tactical insights make him one of the most gifted footballers of all time."

 According to Wikepidiad:

"Juventus is nicknamed la Vecchia Signora (the Old Lady, by the first official name and the Style of the club), La Fidanzata d'Italia (the Italian Girlfriend, by the supporters), i bianconeri (black-and-whites, which are the colours of the club), zebre (zebras), or depreciatively gobbi (humpbacks, from latin goeba) by rival supporter"

"There is no clear information regarding the birth of Juventus - there are no records which document it nor any official papers or newspapers. The only document is the one from 1914, written by Enrico Canfari, one of the founders. "

"The two stars on the Juventus shirt signifies that they have won the Scudetto over 20 times."