• I use a category called “The Real World Sucks” when an Iranian-born German international refuses to play in Israel. [Deutshe Welle]
• The UEFA Cup draw. [soccerword]
• In addition to possessing a penchant for diving, Robbie Savage is also a terrorist who is scared of flying. [Who Ate All The Pies]
• Sepp “Weak” Blatter is a crazy person who is, most likely, talking about something crazy. [New York Sun]

Not much to speak of this week, folks:

• The top ten teams are just sort of trading places.
• Misely FC remains atop the table but her lead is becoming more and more tenuous.
• Anyone who bet on a triumphant Ronaldo performance made a good wager this week.
• We’re going into an international break this weekend and I, for one, welcome the chance to regroup.

• Well, this ought to make Mr. Rogue happy. [The Offside]
• Thierry Henry misses England. [Off side la!]
• On the other hand, Arsenal aren’t exactly in a “rebuilding year.” [The Other Football]
• They just get younger and younger. [Football is for the Madman]
• Poor Martin Jol. [BBC]

It’s the top of the ninth inning in a positively riveting 1-1 baseball game featuring the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland leads this best-of-five playoff series 1-0. Chip Caray (grandson of baseball legend and professional drunkard, Harry Caray), Bob Brenly and Tony Gwynn are providing the play-by-play, facial hair, and color commentary, respectively.

Canadian soldiers, also known as mayflies (I like “Canadian soldiers” because it sounds like a rogue Toronto F.C. firm), have swarmed into Jacobs Field from nearby Lake Erie and are giving players fits. Earlier, Doug “Dougie Baseball” Mientkiewicz twice stepped out of the batters box as the insects attacked his face. Yankee pitcher Joba Chamberlain gave up the tying run on a wild pitch after succumbing to the pests and losing his cool along with the command of his breaking ball.

New York is down to their last out and Cleveland’s rookie pitcher, Fausto Carmona, is facing A-Rod who, Carey informs us, bats .452 in ninth innings. Tribe fans are on their feet, shouting, willing their hurler to a complete game, “Let’s Go Fausto! Let’s Go Fausto!” and Chip Carey says:

“Listen to this crowd! It’s like an English premier soccer game!”

Sure, his verbiage wasn’t quite right but that’s OK; it’s the sentiment that counts here. Carey knows that there is no passion like that of a soccer fan and he invited his TV audience to take a listen while he remained silent.

I couldn’t help but think that Dave O’Brien could learn a lot from his fellow baseball guy.

• Thesis: the National Hockey League should be more like soccer [Slate via east-lake]
• South Korean fans are both artistic and sober [Pitch Invasion]
• Fox Soccer Channel hates you and doesn’t want to show you the Premiership today [Fox Soccer Channel]
• Look at how Landon is holding his new trophy [LA Galaxy Offside]
• He’s baaaaaaack! [LA Times]

Photographer: St Stev

This stunning photograph was taken in historic Dubrovnik, Croatia.