Whatever time zone you’re in, it has to be officially the weekend! And what better way to celebrate than a late-night edition of the Daily Kick Around? We’ve got Champions League draw–with the potential for an EPIC final–Rangers have a few bids on the club and the LA Galaxy signed a record sponsorship deal. All that and more, here’s your Daily Kick Around!

UEFA Champions League

Did you miss the UCL draw earlier today? Here’s the full list of match ups. The coolest takeaway from it? There is the potential for a Barcelona – Real Madrid final. Now that would be a Clasico for the ages.

FIFA World Cup 2014

In case there was any doubt, Brazil reassured Sepp Blatter today that they will be ready for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Blatter said he is confident that Brazil will host the best World Cup ever. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Scottish Premier League

We all know the woes of the Glasgow Rangers by now. Since going into administration, their outlook has been dim. But, there is some positive news on the horizon. Apparently several indicative bids have been made for the club. Perhaps they will be saved after all!

Major League Soccer

The LA Galaxy signed a monumental deal today, continuing their partnership with Herbalife. They agreed to a 10 year, 44 million dollar contract extension. The best part of the deal? As part of the extension, 2.5 million dollars will go to helping support charitable efforts, both with the Galaxy’s foundation and the Herbalife Family Foundation. These programs helped underserved and vulnerable children. Great news all around.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know who David Beckham is, and that he currently plays for the LA Galaxy. But do you know how he ended up in LA, and the story of his time with the Galaxy so far? This fantastic 45 minute documentary gives you all you ever wanted to know about “The Beckham Experiment.”

It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and I hope most of you had the chance to sleep in this Monday morning! Lots to talk about today, from defensive changes at Bolton to the “old boys” returning to the EPL and the role MLS plays in their successful return, here’s your Daily Kick Around.

English Premier League

After four years with the Bolton Wanders, England national defender Gary Cahill has completed his transfer to Chelsea. The 26-year-old cost about $11 million, and is clearly very excited about the move. “It is a club that looks to win trophies season in, season out, and it is a big opportunity for me to be a part of that. Opportunities like this you can’t turn down.”

The Wanderers are hoping to fill Cahill’s spot with American defender Tim Ream. The 24-year-old played for the New York Red Bulls in MLS last season, along with some USMNT playing time. According to manager Owen Coyle, Ream is “a player that we would love to bring to the football club, and hopefully in the next few days that can come to fruition.” The biggest challenge will be getting his international work permit, but I’m sure someone will pull some strings to make it happen!

Apparently Thierry Henry’s return to Arsenal hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies like it was his first game back. Henry was involved in an angry interaction with a Gunners fan after their shocking loss to Swansea on Sunday. A club spokesman said Henry made a comment to the fan about always supporting the team, but it sounds like he may have been a littler more enraged than the club would like us to believe.

Speaking of players returning to the EPL, ESPN UK’s “Pardon The Interruption” had some interesting insights into why these “old boys” like Robbie Keane and Henry were finding success in their return to the EPL. They even touch on Landon Donovan’s return to Everton. You might want to have a seat when you watch this…they actually give MLS credit for these players’ good form.

Donovan has been performing well since going on loan to Everton, but the Toffees are still desperately lacking attacking power. This week, former LA Galaxy player and USMNT forward Edson Buddle is on trial with Everton. Buddle had been doing well at German club Ingolstadt, but a coaching change resulted in an early exit from the second division side. Would Buddle be a good fit for the Toffees? I think he could be successful there, but he’s got to prove himself first!

US Women’s National Team

The roster for the USWNT 2012 Olympic Qualifying squad is out! Pia Sundhage doesn’t have any big surprises from the team we saw in the World Cup. All the favorites are back, including Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. Check out the full roster here!

Scottish Premier League

A man was arrested in Scotland after racially abusing two Rangers FC players on Twitter, including USMNT midfielder Maurice Edu. Good to see police cracking down on this unacceptable behavior. Racism has no place anywhere, and especially not in soccer. Twitter is a great tool for interacting with players, but it’s incredibly sad and disgusting to see it used this way.