Hello footy fans! It’s Thursday and I, like every other US Soccer fan, am still all smiles from yesterday’s games. It was a great day for international soccer. We’ve got those headlines, plus the floundering Chelsea, MLS’ newest player and how the UEFA answered the outcry about overpriced tickets. It’s all here in your DKA!

U.S. Soccer

Not only did the USWNT dominate with a win yesterday over Denmark in the Algarve Cup, but the USMNT pulled out a great shocker against Italy. If you missed Clint Dempsey’s strike yesterday, check out my recap here!

The U-23 USMNT also played yesterday in a friendly against Mexico’s U-23′s. If you are a USMNT fan, you are more than familiar with the phrase “Dos A Cero!” And yesterday’s game was just another notch to add to the 2-0 victories against Mexico. Congratulations to all teams!

English Premier League

It’s troubled waters and choppy seas in Chelsea. Apparently instead of solving problems, players and staff are playing the blame game.

Our first instance, the curious case of Fernando Torres. Ever since his startling transfer from Liverpool to the London team, he’s had two goals in 21 starts. Just two! It’s hard to deny that the once star Spanish striker is in more than a rough patch. But why is that exactly? Torres’ mentor Antonio Sanz would like to blame the club and Andre Villas-Boas for Fernando’s woes.

And that isn’t the only problem in the dressing room for the Blues. Frank Lampard – yes, he still plays for them – has been vocal about his displeasure of being left out of the Chelsea starting line up. Apparently things are “not ideal” between the English player and AVB. And it doesn’t look like ol’ Frank is getting any sympathy from his teammates either. In fact, defender David Luiz has told Frank to suck it up and get over it. Fall in line, Frank!

Major League Soccer

While MLS fans are used to seeing top American players head off to European teams, we’re starting to get used to the fact that European players are coming over here! It was announced today that after a trial period, Montreal Impact are signing former Italian international Matteo Ferrari. While some are already critical of Ferrari’s age, I personally think he can bring a lot to this MLS team. Congrats to Ferrari and the Impact!

Serie A

A.C. Milan are going to have to mark Pato off their starting line up for their upcoming match against Palermo. The Brazilian striker – who has suffered through one injury already this season – has picked up another muscle injury last week during the team’s match against Juventus.

Champion’s League

Last year’s final of the Champion’s League in Wembley brought many negative headlines regarding the ticket prices. General sale tickets were 150 pounds! After the outcry from the public about such outrageous prices, UEFA apologized and decided to slash the prices – but don’t get too excited. Tickets for this year’s final in Munich will be 75 pounds, plus a booking fee. Oh, and don’t forget to factor in that exchange rate.

La Liga

Missed the Midweek Muscles post yesterday? Well, you might want to go check it out. Our own Tamara Reinhart shows you why Cristiano Ronaldo is definitely worthy of a MWM post.

We have an interesting DKA for all you footy fans out there! Everything from RvP’s son NOT joining Arsenal, Fernando Torres possibly leaving Chelsea, the Top 10 Most Expensive National Teams and a new innovative way to use your teammate when throwing in a ball!

Copa del Rey

With the Copa del Rey quarterfinal between Real Madrid & Barcelona, Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo says he “doesn’t feel any pressure” coming into the highly anticipated match of the tournament. Lately the Portuguese international has only faired one goal in Madrid’s last 4 matches, leaving the gap open for criticism. “The pressure doesn’t get to me. I try to stay positive and always see new challenges.”

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho defended Cristiano by saying that “if someone criticizes Cristiano, he has a problem with me.” Seriously people, you can’t expect Cristiano to score every match, can you?

Now for some interesting news concerning the CDR, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola’s birthday is Wednesday, meaning he’ll be spending his birthday at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid while Barcelona midfielder, Xavi, will celebrate his birthday at the Camp Nou next Wednesday for the second leg of the quarterfinals.

English Premier League

Birmingham have rejected an undisclosed bid for West Brom’s Liam Ridgewell, who said in the past that he was looking for an exit from St. Andrews.

Both Chelsea & Manchester United are looking to pick up Swansea keeper Michel Vorm. The Dutch keeper has been outstanding throughout the season, especially during Swansea’s 2-1 win over Arsenal this weekend.

Sorry Gunners but looks like Robin Van Persie isn’t moving his 5-year-old Shaqueel to Arsenal Juniors anytime soon. The Dutchman says that his son “has a lot of talent for football.” His son is happy where he is at the moment but he has caught the eyes of Arsenal, “His coach is really great. Arsenal has invited him a couple of times to come and play there but he likes it at his club. He’s sensitive for a good atmosphere. Just like me.” AWWWW!!!

The cat is out of the bag as we find out that Chelsea is secretly offering their player Fernando Torres to other clubs! Carlo Ancelotti, Paris St-Germain manager, sais that he’s been offered a few high-class players such as Fernando Torres and Man Utd’s Dimitar Berbatov. But it doesn’t stop there folks! Ancelotti reveals, officially or not, other players that were offered to him. Manchester City rebel Carlos Tevez, Hotspurs’ Roman Pavlyuchenko, Napoli’s Edinson Cavani and Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente.

Serie A

AC Milan’s Van Bommel backs-up teammate Pato, who is hoping to become a key player, after rumors of him leaving San Siro this month. “We should stop talking about that now. Pato is staying here with us. If he can stay calm and relaxed then you will all see that he will produce some great things.”

Portuguese Liga

What an interesting way to throw in the ball, yeah? Benfica’s Maxi Pereira bounced his throw in off the back of teammate Axel Witsel, while he was tying up his boot. Benfica later won against Vitoria Setubal, 4-1.

International

Ever curious what nations are considered the Most Expensive National Football Teams in the World? Lucky for you, the list just came out! Round the #1 spot is the 2010 World Cup Champions, Spain. To see who else made the cut, check the list out here!

The New Year is getting closer, soccer fans. We have a bunch of headlines for you today. From Ronaldinho possibly going to a MLS team (that’s not LA), to a woman that made her own Manchester City wedding dress. Here’s your Daily Kick Around!

English Premier League

As the January transfer window looms near, and it’s pretty certain that Carlos Tevez is going to be skirting out of Manchester City, even Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said he would definitely love to sign the Argentinian striker, adding that despite what is said about the player, he’s “top class.” Hmm, well top class or not, I think Tevez is the kind of player we could use less of in the football world.

And it’s no wonder Redknapp would be talking about Tevez, when his midfielder Luka Modric has stated he wishes to leave and sign for Chelsea. However, that won’t be happening according to Tottenham’s head honchos, who said they refuse to sell the player.

Chelsea are definitely not in tip-top shape so far this season, but could the acquisition of FC Porto’s Hulk give them the help they need? Rumors have been swirling since Hulk’s former manager Andre Villas-Boas took charge of the Blues, but the striker’s agent is staying mum on the subject, saying only if it happened, Chelsea would be paying a lot of money for Hulk.

True love of your team comes in all shapes and forms. For Manchester City die-hard Karen Bell, it came in the form of her wedding dress. Yup, that’s right. When the 38-year-old married recently, she made her dress out of old City jerseys her husband-to-be had. I have to say, it’s a clever idea, but City? Ewwww.

Major League Soccer

So, it’s been going around that Brazilian star Ronaldinho could be the next big name to come to Major League Soccer. Naturally, the connection was made with L.A. Galaxy, who could be losing their big-name DP David Beckham. However, Ronaldinho’s reps are saying the deal that’s being offered is NOT from the Galaxy. But who could it be? New York? Only time will tell.

This season, Freddy Adu came back home and did a stint with the Philadelphia Union. Now, he’s added to the list of young American players spending the off-season training in Europe. Freddy is currently in Madird to train with Rayo Vallecano.

Serie A

Serie A could be losing one of their stars and mark the January transfer window with one of the biggest moves. Media in Italy and France are reporting that Brazilian Pato will be making a huge move from AC Milan to Paris Saint-German for 50 million Euro. That would explain why the Italian giants are hard up for Carlos Tevez.

More news about the betting scandal in the league: former Piacenza defender Carlo Gervasoni reportedly testified to Roberto di Martino, the prosecutor carrying out an investigation into allegations of match fixing in Italy, Tuesday and Wednesday.

La Liga

Cristiano Ronaldo has been a bright star in Real Madrid’s line up since his record move from Manchester United. When asked about the two leagues, Ronaldo freely admitted he preferred La Liga to EPL, citing that individuals can shine in the Spanish league. He’s definitely proved that point, I guess.

La Liga

Second ranked Barcelona faces Rayo Vallecano at 3pm ET which you can watch on ESPN3.com!

The RFEF announced yesterday that the abandoned match between Granada – Mallorca will be completed on December 7th after the match was cut short due to an injury to a linesman. The match will pick up where it left off, with Granada leading 2-1.

English Premier League

David Beckham, former Manchester United player, stated that the Red Devil’s crosstown rivals, Manchester City have ‘no chance’ in winning the Premier League Title this season, favoring his former club to lift the trophy. Beckham lifted his own trophy with his MLS club, the LA Galaxy this year, but could leave LA for the likes of AC Milan or Paris Saint-Germain in January when his contract expires.

Seems like a good time to pick at Manchester City this week. Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger,  have warned the Citizens to look out for Arsenal as they’ll try to knock them out of the League Cup. Wenger believes his club has ‘more experience and can step up during the match. Well this Gooner hopes you’re right Arsene.

Major League Soccer

Adios Los Angeles. Bienvenue a Montreal! Donovan Ricketts heads to Canada. Yes that’s right, the new club to enter the MLS circuit, the Montreal Impact, made an impact (no pun intended) when they picked up the Jamaican keeper who was acquired by the LA Galaxy before the ’09 season. Ricketts will leave the Galaxy with 77 appearances, making 226 saves, allowing 70 goals and sealing 27 shutouts in his three seasons with the club.

Seth Sinovic contemplated retiring at the ripe age of 24 had he been drafted to the Montreal Impact during the expansion draft. Lucky for him, he was drafted, but was traded back to his hometown (and club) Sporting Kansas City with allocation money in exchange for midfielder Davy Arnaud.

Serie A

Okay when I saw the video that AC Milan posted on their Facebook of Pato, Robinho and Thiago Silva singing, I knew I had to post it on here. Mostly because the song they’re singing has been stuck in my head for the past month. It’s called ‘Ai Se Eu Te Pego’ by Michel Telo. In Portuguese it means ‘If I’ll Get You There,” and it was made famous (well for me anyways) when Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo & Marcelo danced to it during a goal celebration in their match against Malaga. Excuse me while I go dance and sing this song now.

Spanish National Team

Vicente Del Bosque will resume as Spain’s coach through the 2014 World Cup campaign! Del Bosque’s contract was set to expire after Euro but RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) President Angel Villar convinced him to stay longer. HOORAY!