The Road to El Clasico. Well, it’s not really a road, more like a hop, skip or jump because EL CLASICO IS TOMORROW!

Yes, that’s right folks, the day where Real Madrid fly to Barcelona to face their heated rivals at Camp Nou.

Not too bad, really. However, via Twitter, the favors are running high on Real Madrid’s side. My opinion is that I want a clean match, but given past Clasico history (and the current Barcelona lineup and Real Madrid’s Pepe and Angel Di Maria) that probably won’t happen.

Here’s where things get interesting. This could be the last time these Spanish giants face each other this season, UNLESS they both advance to the finals of Champions League. As of now, Real Madrid are Liga leaders, with a steady 4-points ahead of Barcelona.

Either way, a win or a loss, wouldn’t effect Real Madrid’s lead. It would either put them up an extra 3 points, or drop them to a 1-point lead. To keep Liga interesting and supporters biting their nails, a draw would do both clubs good. Frankly, I love having the competition, not knowing who is going to come out the champions. However, I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t want Real Madrid to show Barcelona whose really the Kings of Spanish futbol.

Now, let me just say, I checked Bleacher Report earlier and they had a poll going on the odds of Real Madrid winning or Barca winning. Their results?

In previous El Clasico articles, I’ve thrown around million of stats around that probably have everyone whose not a regular supporter of either clubs, confused. So this preview shall be nothing of the sorts. Using my knowledge of both clubs and this current season, I’m going to put together a pros/cons for each club, things for you, the viewer, to watch out for when watching this big match-up on Saturday. For once, I’m going to take away my biased opinion and focus on observations I’ve made throughout the season. Sound fair? Let’s get started!

Real Madrid Pros

• Madrid’s Fabulous Trio – Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuaín and Karim Benzema are in the Top 5 of La Liga’s Top Scorers this season
• Alongside the forwards, we have a pretty strong midfield that are just as capable of scoring goals
• Mesut Özil has 15 assists this season & would be a key player if he started Saturday
• It’ll only take one goal for Real Madrid to break their goal of 107 goals in one season
• Right now, their season stats are 27 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses

Real Madrid Cons

• Pepe – Grant it he is one of the best defenders in Liga, he still has some major anger issues he needs to sort out before Saturday. We don’t want another Messi incident.
• Angel Di María – Don’t do anything stupid.
• The defense is struggling, let’s face it. With any hope of winning, Madrid’s defense needs a readjustment, which means Álvaro Arbeloa needs to start focusing. We can’t rely on Sergio Ramos all the time.
• Yellow cards. We’ve racked up a lot, the past couple weeks, so in order to keep the same lineup for every match until the end of Liga, Madrid need to veer away from contesting or any fouls. Cristiano Ronaldo especially, one more yellow & he’ll miss the big match against Sevilla next week.

FC Barcelona Pros

• Lionel Messi – Tied with Cristiano for most goals this season (41) and is Barça’s main goal scorer.
• Defense – If Piqué is playing, Madrid will have problems finding the back of the net.
• Barça have won their last 11 matches and will have the home advantage
• They know how to beat Madrid

FC Barcelona Cons

• Sergio Busquets – Stay on your feet, great defender, but the football pitch isn’t a place for theatrics.
• Cesc Fabregas – Lately Fabregas has been falling into the mist in the midfield, never to return again.
• Offense – Everyone needs to help Messi out Saturday. He can’t be the only one scoring
• When something doesn’t go their way, prepare for a cloud of Barça players contesting every foul that comes their way.

Also, watch out for the ref. In El Clasicos, it has been known that refs get a little card happy towards both clubs.

My predictions:

Real Madrid Starting 11: Iker Casillas (G); Álvaro Arbeloa, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo (D); Xabi Alonso, Angel Di María, Mesut Özil, Kaka (M); Cristiano Ronaldo & Karim Benzema (F).

FC Barcelona Starting 11: Victor Valdes (G); Gerard Piqué, Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets (D); Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Thiago (M); Lionel Messi, Pedro (F)

Final Score: 2-1 Madrid OR a 2-2 draw

It’s no doubt that tomorrow will be a fantastic and exciting match-up with a side of feisty, but it’s also one of the most pivotal matches of the season, so enjoy El Clasico! You can watch it on ESPN3.com at 2 p.m. ET.

That’s right, it’s Thursday and that means it’s almost the weekend! Personally, I cannot wait. While the Champion’s League’s games this week were exciting, I can’t wait for MLS First Kick! But what’s great about this Thursday? It’s International Women’s Day, a day the ladies of Aerys Soccer can get behind! In today’s DKA, we have Timmy Howard extending his contract with Everton, Balotelli saying he needs to grow up (Gasp!), the situation with the Glasgow Rangers and FIFA’s tribute to the 101st IWD.

English Premier League

So Arsenal gave AC Milan a hell of a run for their money in the Champion’s League, but they weren’t able to pull it off in the end. Now, really all the Gunners have is a top four finish in the EPL to see them back in the CL again next year. Can they do it? Ol’ Arsene seems to think so.

Good news for you Toffee fans out there; Everton announced today that goalkeeper Tim Howard signed a new long-term deal today. The new contract will keep Timmy in a Toffee’s jersey until 2016. Congrats, Tim!

Mario Balotelli needs to grow up. Seriously, he said so himself. The Italian striker was fined recently by Manchester City for breaking curfew to attend a strip club, and he admitted in an interview that he needs to mature and listen to City boss Roberto Mancini. No, really?

La Liga

Barcelona will be without defender Gerard Pique this weekend as the Spanish federation denied his appeal to a red-card he received during Barca’s match against Sporting Gijon. Pique was shown a straight red card during the match and said afterward he believed the ref “pre-meditated” the decision. Some are saying the decision was too harsh, but Pique is still facing the one-game ban.

Serie A

Juventus were looking to draw level with AC Milan at the top of Serie A last weekend, but ended up being lucking to come away with a draw. Thanks to a tough Bologna team, Juventus came away with only a point after the 1-1 final. It’s been an interesting season in Italy; who do you think will come out on top?

Major League Soccer

MLS fans, you’re pretty lucky you’re league has gotten where it is. Ten years ago, the future didn’t look so bright for commissioner Don Garber and the handful of American teams. It’s definitely a different landscape now though, isn’t it?

So, apparently New York Red Bulls Luke Rodgers had trouble with his VISA? This may not be news to you, but the Red Bulls released a statement about the player today, stating Luke had “met with the United States Consulate in London and the outcome was positive, as he took a step forward in his visa approval process to return to the country.” Hmmm. Seems like the reaction from NYRB fans is mixed. What do you guys think?

Scottish League

As if things could not get worse for the Glasgow Rangers, the fear now is if the team goes into liquidation, the consequences could be disastrous. Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan said as much recently when speaking to the federation, who is conducting their own inquiry into the administration of the club. Thoughts are with Rangers fans as this is absolutely gut-wrenching for them.

Champion’s League

Okay, okay, we get it. Messi is an effin’ football genius. Don’t believe me? Check out his FIVE goals from yesterday’s Barca win in the Champion’s League.

CONCACAF Champion’s League

MLS hasn’t kicked off yet, but the CCL has! LA got by with the help of Landon Donovan and Seattle notched a great win. Check out all the CCL news here!

International Women’s Day

Finally, in honor of the 101st International Women’s Day, FIFA posted this article about “The Feminine Face of Football.” Give it a read and go celebrate Women’s Day!

We’ve reached that part of the week where the footy headlines become a little less important and more quirky. Today we feature Real Madrid’s 110th birthday, the new association between Roberto Mancini and Mario Balotelli and AC Milan’s Maxi Lopez’s secret addiction. All in today’s Daily Kick Around!

La Liga

Yesterday Real Madrid celebrated their 110th birthday. Within those historic 110 years, they’ve won 9 European Cup titles, 3 international cups, 2 UEFA cups, one Euro Super Cup, 31 Spanish league titles, 18 Copa del Rey trophies, 8 Spanish Super Cups and one Spanish league cup. And to honor the amazing history of the greatest club in the world, here’s a video of the clubs greatest moments.

Gerard Pique could be facing suspension after yelling at the ref that his send-off during Saturday’s match against Sporting Gijon was “premeditated.” La Liga’s Refereeing Technical Committee is asking for the defender to be punished saying:

“Pique’s comments are unfortunate and very serious. They make your blood boil, sportsmen must respect each other. His comments affect the state of refereeing and we will obviously report him.”

Looks like the Copa del Rey final between FC Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao will be held at Atletico Madrid’s stadium, Vicente Calderon on May 25th.

English Premier League

Ashley Young warned Manchester City that United will win all the remaining fixtures, only to lift the trophy once again at the end of the season. Young, who scored 2 of the 3 goals in Sunday’s match against Tottenham, says that the Red Devils have what it takes to win their 20th championship. United are currently two points behind league leaders, Man City and will face West Brom Sunday as City faces Swansea. There’s still plenty of league left–at this point, it’s anybody’s game.

Managing a football club is never easy, but Avram Grant says that Chelsea’s next manager will have it “easy” after Andre Villas-Boas was axed after 8 months. As of now, Roberto Di Matteo is in charge of the Blues until the end of the season, with the club looking for a more permanent replacement. Chelsea is looking for their 8th coach in eight years and Grant says that it won’t be hard to do a better job than AVB. Ouch. Ironic how AVB lost his job but the Blues still pay Fernando Torres to not score goals.

Apparently Roberto Mancini and Mario Balotelli are the same person. Well, at least this reporter thinks so. Awkward.

Serie A

AC Milan’s Maxi Lopez likes to masturbate. On the internet. Photos of of the Argentinean him having fun with himself were leaked, but his model wife’s lawyers are dismissing the alleged photos of Maxi, saying:

“They are old and absolutely fake. He has had short hair for more than a year. It’s just an old picture of his face put on a body that isn’t his.” 

Riiiiggghhhht.

That’s right.

The FC Barcelona star grasped his third successive Ballon D’Or trophy today, beating out teammate Xavi Hernandez and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (who couldn’t attend due to match preparation.)

The Argentinean said at the FIFA World Players Gala, “It is a pleasure and honor to win this for the third time. Thanks to those who voted and all my teammates.”

Congrats to the other two nominees Xavi and Cristiano for having fantastic seasons as well.

Not only was the winner of the Ballon D’Or awarded but so was the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year. The nominees were Abby Wambach (USA), Marta (Brazil) and Homare Sawa (Japan).

This year’s award goes to Homare Sawa of Japan. Sawa led her national team to victory this year in the Women’s World Cup in Germany where she won the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe award.

Sawa’s country of Japan also won the FIFA Fair Play Award due to their reaction of the devastating earthquake and tsunami the country faced earlier in the year.

Mexican legend Hugo Sanchez presented Neymar the FIFA Puskas Award, which is determined by the player with the “most beautiful” goal of the year. Neymar beat out both Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney.

“I am very happy to be part of this party and have been competing with this two great players. I’m very grateful to God and all you. Enjoy this party.”

You can see Neymar’s outstanding goal here!

Now to the coach awards. Let’s start out with the FIFA Women’s Coach of the Year.

The nominees were Bruno Bini of France, Norio Sasaki of Japan and Pia Sundhage of Sweden.

Japan’s Norio Sasaki claimed the award with his efforts of leading his national team to victory when Japan beat the US in the final.

The FIFA Men’s Coach of the Year was won by FC Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola, who managed to win Champions League and the La Liga title last year. Pep beat out MUFC manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.

Guardiola was quite humble after winning the award saying, “I would like to share this award with Mourinho and Ferguson. It is an honor. And all the coaches around the world who share this passion. And also to the thousands of people that over 100 years have worked and develop Barcelona. It is a privilege to be part of such an incredible club. And finally, I would like to dedicate this award to Tito Vilanova, my assistant, my colleague, my friend who can’t be here tonight. This is for you.”

Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t leave the Gala empty-handed. The MUFC legendary manager won the prestigious FIFA Presidential Award, presented by FIFA president Sepp Blatter. “This is very much appreciated. No matter the honor I get, I feel it’s been the recognition for the 25 years of Manchester United. They always shared my vision and passion. I’ve been a very lucky manager. That makes Manchester United such a special club. The courage to play and the courage to try and win is more important than anything.”

Individual awards aside, eleven players were selected to the FIFA/FIFAPro World XI which was presented by three-time World Cup Champion and football legend, Pele. The players selected are as follows:

Iker Casillas (Spain)

Sergio Ramos (Spain)

Gerard Pique (Spain)

Nemanja Vidic (Serbia)

Dani Alves (Brazil)

Andres Iniesta (Spain)

Xavi (Spain)

Xabi Alonso (Spain)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Wayne Rooney (England)

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane and Emilio Butragueno accepted players Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Iker Casillas‘ awards on behalf of them due to preparation for their match against Malaga this week.

Stay tuned to Aerys Soccer for all your international football news!

All photos courtesy of FIFA.com

NCAA Soccer

The Women’s College Cup semifinals kicks off today from Kennesaw, Ga with tournament favorite Stanford facing Florida State at 5:00pm E.T. ACC in-state rivals Duke and Wake Forest follow at 7:30pm E.T, and both will air on ESPNU and ESPN3.com. Chris Henderson at All White Kit has 21 questions covering everything you need to know about these  teams and matchups.

Stanford has gone to the College Cup Final the last two years but has never won it all. Could this finally be their year? Florida State presents much more of a challenge to them this year, versus last year’s quarterfinal 5-0 drubbing by the Cardinal.

Graham Hays at ESPN has written a fantastic piece on Florida State’s international players and the influence they’ve had on the program. Another piece of his on Stanford’s four seniors – Camille Levin, Teresa Noyola, Lindsay Taylor and Kristy Zurmuhlen – and their last chance to achieve their goal of a title is also a must-read before watching the games tonight.

Later today I’ll be doing another interview with women’s soccer legend Brandi Chastain, who will be live in Kennesaw from the College Cup. If you missed the original interview last month, where we chatted about college soccer and the U.S. National Team, you can read it here. Check back later this afternoon for today’s follow-up interview.

La Liga

Barcelona’s Gerard Pique has been cleared to play against Real Madrid in December 10th’s El Clasico.

The Guardian has a piece today on five ways Barcelona has become successful, even while bucking conventional tactics.

International Soccer

The Euro 2012 draw is happening today and if you love fun stats, ESPN’s Paul Carr at the Five Aside Blog has some on past champions.

The U.S. WNT was awarded the honor of “Sportswomen of the Year” by the March of Dimes in NYC this week, and Abby Wambach and Hope Solo were at the luncheon to accept the award. Unfortunately, I heard from a friend who was there that Abby was referred to as “Amy” multiple times. Oof.

EPL

Brazilian soccer club Corinthians is interested in signing Carlos Tevez, if he does not remain in Europe.

Liverpool’s Lucas has been ruled out of play for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL tear against Chelsea this week.

MLS

MLS expansion franchise Montreal Impact has revealed its new jersey. Check it out at Soccer by Ives.

Arsenal CEO and former MLS executive Ivan Gazidis says he believes that MLS is not “second-rate” to European leagues.

That’s all for now! Keep an eye on our Twitter and Tumblr accounts for new posts today, including my interview with Brandi Chastain and all the action from the College Cup.

English Premier League

Some foreign owners of EPL teams have suggested they want to abolish the system of relegation and promotion in the league. While this is not likely to happen, the mere thought of it is a little scary. This system is what makes the EPL so competitive. Every year you have to earn your spot in the league. Abolishing it would be a mistake.

On a lighter note, four Chelsea FC players tested out a 3D version of Space Invaders…soccer style. I want to play!

Major League Soccer

With their win last night in the SuperClasico against Chivas USA, the LA Galaxy became just the third team in MLS history to be undefeated at home during the regular season.

On Saturday, Kasey Keller, one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of US Soccer, played his last regular season MLS game at CenturyLink Field for the Seattle Sounders in front of an impressive 64,140 fans.  This was the 4th highest attendance in ANY soccer game on Saturday, beaten only by top European clubs FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

As the MLS season is coming to a close, here’s what the playoffs would look like if the postseason started today.

US Men’s National Team

USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said in a recent interview he wants to see a longer MLS season.  Right now, the MLS off-season is two to three months long, depending on if the players’ team makes the playoffs.  Klinsmann wants to see the MLS season on par with European leagues, whose seasons run a least a month longer.

After facing Honduras and Ecuador in two friendlies this month, the USMNT next opponent will be the France national team, on November 11.

US Women’s National Team

Goalkeeper Hope Solo survived another elimination on Dancing With The Stars last week, and in an interview on Good Day LA, Hope said they tried to put her partner, Maks Chmerkovskiy in goal to test out his skills, but he “wasn’t wearing proper attire.” Too bad, because seeing self-proclaimed “sex-on-a-stick” Maks in diving in goal would have been a treat! Check out Hope and Maks on ABC tonight at 8PM, and don’t forget to vote to keep Hope alive!

La Liga

Powerhouse FC Barcelona notched another win on Saturday, defeating Racing Santander 3-0.  Unfortunately, center back Gerard Pique suffered a muscle tear in his right leg, and will be out for at least the next 15 days.

Serie A

 It was  late-game strike from Miroslav Klose that won the Eternal City derby for Lazio yesterday.  The stoppage time goal broke Lazio’s five-game losing streak against Roma, giving them the 2-1 victory.