Starting Eleven Football Blog Roundup

This is my semi-regular trip around the football blogosphere:

Fernando Torres has been the top Premier League acquisition this season--27 goals in 36 matches--and has kept Liverpool afloat in the FA Cup and Champions League, and for a 2009 Champions League berth. Oh You Beauty regales in Torres’ season--he scored the winner this weekend against Reading--pointing out that he has scored the game-winning or game-tying goal nine times this season.

Benfica--Portugal’s team turmoil--continues to tumble after a 1-1 draw against Maritimo this weekend. The draw was the team’s fourth straight, capping a sorry week which saw Camacho leave the bench for good and the club dumped out of the UEFA Cup by Getafe. Talking to the Doll has the gory details.


Center Holds it praises American Brian McBride’s efforts to keep Fulham from relegation in the Premiership. McBride scored the only goal in Fulham’s 1-0 win over Everton, keeping the “other” mercysiders from keeping pace for fourth in England.


101 Great Goals has its weekly roundup of what’s in the English papers, including the brilliant Martin Samuel of the Times challenging claims that the Premiership is the best league in the world.


Brian at Stateside Footy reports the U.S. will host Argentina June 8 at Giants Stadium. Glad to see the U.S. taking on some heavyweights on its friendly schedule.


English Soccer Talks revisits its preseason predictions; gutsy, most should do this periodically.


Finally, the Third Half has a guest post extolling the virtues of the U.S. Open Cup, it’s an excellent read and I’d be curious to hear a reaction from U.S. Soccer on the missed opportunity that is the U.S. Open Cup.