I’ve spent too much of my 25 years in the States trying to convince Americans that there’s more to England than the great city of London. However, it’s quite likely there’ll be 6 London-based teams in the EPL next season. I’m presuming QPR don’t get relegated — which is unlikely given their new signings — and West Ham gets promoted from the Championship.

So that London derbys don’t become commonplace, and to prevent the EPL from devolving into the Londinium League, we need to set a limit of 5 London teams. I propose a London conference within the EPL with the bottom placed team being automatically relegated. Nothing else changes, three clubs will go down: the two non-London lowest clubs will be relegated along the bottom London club.

For those of you wondering: what if Reading makes the Championship Playoffs and gets promoted? I checked the map — they’re close, but outside the London Boroughs.

Given the attraction of playing in London and the flow of football finances to this mega-market, I doubt London participation will fall below 5 teams. But if it does, it probably means the North West is once again overrepresented. If this reality prevails, it will be time to invoke the Lancashire Conference, with the new relegation rules applying to Lancastrians… and so on.

That oughta add some extra spice into those stale and fruitless end-of-season encounters by teams relishing comfort above the drop zone.

The Premier League is remarkably successful but that doesn’t mean the world’s greatest sports league can’t be improved by employing conferences when a region is overrepresented. What do you think? Stupid idea? Bring it!

Speaking of EPL geography…

While celebrating all things Scottish or Welsh is encouraged, English traditions are often swept under the rug by guilt-ridden wussies. In their desperation for inclusiveness and political correctness, they’re all too eager to substitute British for English.

Being a soccer stud that came Stateside on a scholarship, the last thing I want to do is align myself with these effete elites. Nevertheless, I do wonder if it’s time to rename EPL Talk to BPL Talk — not B as in the Barclays Premier League, but British Premier League.

Historically, Wales has been referred to as “England’s first colony,” and it now seems the English Premier League is colonizing Welsh football. Indeed, the best Welsh teams clamor for the glamor of the EPL.

Swansea City FC are reveling in mid-table in the world’s most popular sports league.

Cardiff City FC, currently in the Championship, are perennial challengers for promotion to the EPL. Indeed, this year they are poised for the playoffs, if not automatic promotion to the greener pastures of English football.

Imagine: Swansea and Cardiff in the EPL; Now that would be something to BPL Talk about. Just as Wales joining England through the Acts of Union provided the foundation for Britain, the union of English and Welsh teams could transform the English into the British Premier League, or are we riddled with Cymrophobia? (don’t bother to look it up. It’s a cool word, alright, but with an ugly meaning — antipathy towards the Welsh).

FOX Soccer has made special arrangements to televise a live broadcast of Friday’s FA Cup match between Everton and Fulham, which will possibly feature Clint Dempsey playing against Landon Donovan for the first time since 2006.

The FA Cup match between both sides wasn’t originally scheduled for television, but EPL Talk understands that Everton gave FOX Soccer special permission to use its live feed of this important fourth round FA Cup match.

Friday’s match will kick off at 3pm ET on FOX Soccer. Meanwhile, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Soccer 2Go will be broadcasting Watford against Tottenham Hotspur beginning at 2:45pm ET.

In addition to Dempsey and Donovan, American goalkeeper Tim Howard may make an appearance. All three Americans played for their respective teams when they played in the FA Cup third round. However, Everton plays home against Manchester City on Tuesday, while Fulham plays on Wednesday against West Bromwich Albion, so there remains the possibility that managers David Moyes and Martin Jol may want to rest some of his key players.

Landon Donovan has been one of the best players for the Toffees since rejoining Everton on loan, while Clint Dempsey has scored 15 goals in all competitions so far this season, and is currently on fire after scoring a hat trick at Craven Cottage against Newcastle United.

UPDATE: FOX Soccer personalities JP Dellacamera and Eric Wynalda will serve as play-by-play and analyst, marking the first time Americans have called an FA Cup match on FOX Soccer.

Who do you think will win during Friday’s FA Cup encounter? Vote now.

There is most definitely a spring in the step of Newcastle United fans at present and rightly so.

Tuesday’s capture of Senegal international striker Papiss Cisse coupled with the Magpies occupying a top six spot is daring the Geordie faithful to start dreaming again.

With Newcastle pushing for a European place you quickly forget this was a club playing Championship football just over 18 months ago.

Alan Pardew’s side will climb to fifth in the Premier League with a draw at Fulham tomorrow, with Arsenal hosting Manchester United on Sunday. However, don’t for one second think Pardew will be aiming for one point at Craven Cottage when his side have proven this season they are capable of going away and picking up maximum spoils.

Given Newcastle’s form they will be slight favourites in this meeting, but with fellow Europe chasers Liverpool and Arsenal both losing at the Cottage this season it is by no means a foregone conclusion.

After a difficult start to life back in London Martin Jol’s side were starting to find form, only to be beaten by a 10-man relegation threatened Blackburn last weekend.

The Cottagers currently sit 14th, but with this the first of back-to-back home league games Jol will know this is a great opportunity to climb the table.

Inconsistency has been Fulham’s achilles heel this season, but after a defeat last week it would be typical of their campaign if they were to pick up three points against yet another side with European aspirations.

Newcastle are looking for a third consecutive Premier League win but won’t want reminding of this fixture last season. Following the sale of Andy Carroll just days prior it was arguably the Magpies’ worst performance of the season, with Damien Duff scoring against his former club in a 1-0 victory for the home side.

Much has changed on Tyneside since that miserable evening in west London with the club now deservedly competing with the country’s elite.

One contributing factor to Newcastle’s rise is the form of Yohan Cabaye in his debut season in English football. The Frenchman however is a doubt for tomorrow’s trip so Pardew could revert to the three of Danny Guthrie, Ryan Taylor and Jonas Gutierrez as he did against QPR last week, with Hatem Ben Arfa and Leon Best on either side.

Without his African trio of Demba Ba, Cheick Tiote and new-boy Papiss Cisse, Pardew’s squad is thinner than he would like, but with a 100% winning record since the departure of said players Newcastle will no doubt be full of confidence.

Craven Cottage can be an intimidating place to go and Fulham will want to take full advantage of that. They have proven that on their day they can be a match for most in the division, but it will depend on which Fulham turns up tomorrow that could determine this encounter.

Here is what the Premier League clubs are wishing for in 2012:

Arsenal: Gunner fans are wishing that scoring machine Robin van Persie continues his torrid streak.

Aston Villa: That Alex McLeish has a method to his “managerial tactic” madness.

Blackburn: Steve Kean is renting and not buying.

Bolton: Club officials are wishing the F.A. will bring in two more clubs into the Premier League in hopes that Bolton won’t be relegated.

Chelsea: Andre Villas-Boas decides on the correct starting eleven for his club so that they can make another run at the title.

Everton: That Landon Donovan can breathe some fresh air into the Toffees offensive attack.

Fulham: Hopefully Martin Jol can unite his squad to make another run at a Europa spot next season.

Liverpool: Luis Suarez starts to be known for his play and not for his antics.

Manchester City: That the club continues their blistering pace.

Manchester United: Alex Ferguson uses his genius to figure out the midfield problems.

Newcastle: Demba Ba decides to stay with the club through the January transfer window.

Norwich City: That the club can continue their steady pace and enjoy a second season in the first division.

QPR: The Rangers magically figure out how to score more goals at Loftus Road.

Stoke City: To make sure that an away trip to Britannia Stadium remains a difficult test for opposing clubs.

Sunderland:  That the likes of Sebastian Larsson and Nicklas Bendtner give the Black Cats an offensive identity.

Swansea City: The Super Swans wish that Michel Vorm continues his ridiculous form at goalie.

Tottenham: That the Spurs finish in the top four and qualify for next year’s Champions League.

West Brom: The Baggies wish that Shane Long and Chris Brunt can continue to inspire their teammates in hopes of finishing in the top half of the table.

Wigan: That Victor Moses keeps playing with flair and goalie Ali Al Habsi remains one of the best keepers in the league.

Wolverhampton: Wolves wish that Bolton, Blackburn, and Wigan remain below them in the Premier League table.

Note: Readers can follow Matt on Twitter @thehackreport

It isn’t exactly halfway through the season, but all of the clubs are 18 games into their 2011-12 campaign except for Everton and Tottenham (both are 17 games in) who have to make up their first round fixture due to the London Riots. One of the things I like to follow throughout the Premier League season is the unspoken (or lightly spoken) regional battle between the Premier League clubs of Greater Manchester and Greater London. With all due respect to the Midlands region and the country of Wales, the most polarizing clubs of the Premier League, save Liverpool, call one of these two regions home. I will share the numbers and dissect the region’s clubs and compare them. At the end, I will share my opinion of which side is winning the battle so far.

This battle is only being analyzed from the Premiership’s perspective not the from the perspective of European football. However, I will mention that in my opinion, London has already won that particular battle considering that both of the London’s representatives (Chelsea and Arsenal) have moved to the knockout rounds. Both of Manchester’s representatives (City and United) have been eliminated in the group stage. So let’s begin by introducing the two sides’ representatives in the Premiership. I will list their overall records and records against the clubs in Manchester. I was thinking about adding Blackburn to even out the two regional sides at five, though I know Blackburn is close to Greater Manchester but not in it. However, Blackburn doesn’t have much to offer so I elected against it.

London:

Club (overall record; won/drawn/lost) (record vs. Manchester)

• Arsenal (10/3/5) (2/0/2)
• Chelsea (10/4/4) (2/1/1)
• Tottenham Hotspur (12/2/3) (1/0/3)
• Fulham (4/7/7) (2/1/1)
• Queens Park Rangers (4/5/9) (0/0/4)

Manchester:

Club (overall record; on/drawn/lost) (record vs. London)

• Manchester City (14/3/1) (3/1/1)
• Manchester United (14/3/1) (5/0/0)
• Bolton Wanderers (4/0/14) (1/0/4)
• Wigan Athletic (3/5/10) (1/1/3)

London has achieved 23 points against Manchester sides and Manchester has achieved 32 points against clubs from London. From looking at the records for Manchester, this is clear who is carrying the banner for Manchester. The teams from London are all solid and all of them can not only stay in the Premiership but finish in the top half. Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs are vying for the Champions League spots and I think still have a say in who will be the Champions this year.

I will briefly expound on each club and give my say to where they will end up.

London:

Arsenal: 

I am an Arsenal supporter and I was back in my usual pessimistic disposition at the beginning of the season when they were floundering.  However, I really think Arsene Wenger’s  desperation signings especially Mikel Arteta have brought an experienced man in the center of the pitch similar to what Scott Parker has brought to Tottenham. He’s not Cesc Fabregas nor did most of the Arsenal faithful (well the sane portion) expect him to directly fill the role. He distributes the ball efficiently and effectively in essence letting Arsenal still play their style but he won’t really get on the end of things. I’m not going to say that he isn’t brilliant because in my opinion he is. However, brilliance isn’t always in the form of Messi, Ronaldo, Totti and Rooney. Mertesacker is a big man who can control the air and can be a solid defender to partner with the rock known as the “Verminator” (Thomas Vermaelen). The last thing but certainly not the least which has giving the Gunners new life. RVP. What can I say about him? 16 goals in 18 games. Nothing more needs to be said really. I predict that Arsenal will finish 3rd due to Tottenham’s eventual period of tapering off. I think Chelsea will have plenty more peaks and valleys due to the conundrum that is Fernando Torres.

Chelsea:

Andre Villas-Boas has had to downplay the whole “Second Coming of Mourinho” for a little while but I think his biggest issue is how can he get Fernando Torres to kick into Liverpool form. They are still a bit erratic in my view but the one very bright light for Chelsea is Daniel Sturridge. If he can continue his form and Lampard doesn’t fade off his good run of form as well. They can achieve a firm hold of 4th because I think AVB may have found a offensive solution for this team.

Tottenham Hotspur:

As an Arsenal supporter, it may be quite fitting for me to go on a scathing verbal attack on a sorry excuse for a Premiership club called Tottenham Hotspur. However, I must commend Harry Redknapp despite his vice grip hold on Luka Modric. I also believe Spurs made the most important signing in the League this August by signing Scott Parker. He has been immense for them and I think he really lets Modric and Van der Vaart shine without worry considering Parker will hold the midfield for you. Another important signing was Brad Friedel. The American is an improvement over the erratic, mistake-prone Gomes. Tottenham has always been a team who would have these great runs of form then they drop into a rut usually towards the end of the season. While I don’t think they will drop into that ditch. They will drop a few points and that will give Chelsea and Arsenal the opportunity to pounce. I predict a 5th place finish for them.

Fulham:

Fulham doesn’t have much to offer. They do enough to maintain to middle of the pack finish and stay in the League. I do think they were on an upswing with Mark Hughes who I thought really could have made something more out of them. I do not think Martin Jol is the right man for the job but he’s there. I do think Fulham can make a top half finish if Jol finds away to incorporate Zamora and get him on form. Another key man is Clint Dempsey. He is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League and Arsenal did inquire about him but Fulham’s price was too high. Dempsey who is Fulham’s all time leading scorer in the Premier League already has 6 goals to his name and I think he can achieve a 15 goal season and secure Fulham a spot in the top half. I predict 7th place for them.

QPR:

I think that they have the pieces to achieve a respectable finish as well. I do think that they need to bolster the defense in this January window. They bolstered the offensive side of things yet they still are below average in scoring. I do wonder if Neil Warnock is the answer for them. I think he deserved to manage the side in the Premier League considering he got them there but I do think that if they continue their less than ideal form. Will Warnock stay with the club let alone avoid relegation? I predict that they will stay up and finish the bottom half around 13th.

Manchester:

Manchester City:

Sir Alex’s “noisy neighbors” are making plenty of noise this year especially at Old Trafford (that was a joy to watch). They score goals and concede very little. Their squad depth is quite deep with a rainbow of personalities. It’s amazing what a blank check can do for you. Silva and Yaya Toure are outstanding. Dzeko is on a good run of form. Kompany really commands the back line and Hart is as consistent as they come in goal. Mario Balotelli, why always you? I don’t know. They truly are a team, I enjoy watching. I predict the Premier League trophy to be raised by Vincent Kompany as Manchester City win the League and the city of Manchester is finally its rightful color according to my City supporting friends. That color is Blue.

Manchester United:

Sir Alex’s side has experienced total jubilation and total dejection. The Red Devils have been excellent this season save for a couple matches. They will give City a very stiff challenge in not only the league but in the FA Cup as well. It will be fun to observe the Manchester Derby in the Etihad Stadium. I predict Man U to place 2nd and to give themselves a chance to redeem themselves in the Champions League next season.

Bolton Wanderers:

A team who I believed was doomed from the start and they were lucky to avoid relegation last season. I do think that they were unlucky to have lost Stuart Holden again  who I thought could have definitely help save the season for them. Ivan Klasnic and Chris Eagles have come good for them on the offensive end but their defense is atrocious. They have so far conceded the most goals in the Premiership with 41. I don’t see Coyle’s style of play while mildly attractive going anywhere for them. I predict that they will be relegated by finishing in their current spot of 19th and Coyle gets sacked.

Wigan Athletic: 

The ‘Latics are a tough one to predict because I’ve been predicting them to end their one and only top flight spell for the last couple of years. I have obviously been wrong. They do have a magician at the touchline in Roberto Martinez though his job to stay in the  Premiership has been made quite harder due to the departure of Charles N’Zogbia. They still have a young side who can be quite vibrant in their play. I like James McCarthy, Antolin Alcaraz, Franco Di Santo, Jordi Gomez a lot. You have a decent keeper in Al-Habsi with other serviceable players like Conor Sammon and Gary Caldwell. Hugo Rodallega is a very good player who is one of the few reasons Wigan have lasted as long as they have. I predict Wigan to stay up for one more year and finish in 17th.

Conclusion:

While Manchester are fighting at the top and bottom of the table. I think London right now has an advantage and the teams are better collectively. In my opinion, London is winning this battle this year. I don’t put much stock into regional rivalries but it’s something interesting to think about. If I had to choose which regional team I barrack for

it would definitely be Team London. Who do you support? London, Manchester, the Midlands, even perhaps Wales (I haven’t forgotten about Swansea).  Do you think it even matters? All feedback to my questions or to the article itself is appreciated.

On a night when their main title rivals Manchester City were disposing of Stoke City at the Etihad, the red side of Manchester maintained the pressure with an away trip to Fulham that could barely have been easier. Three first half goals saw them pull clear of an insipid and frustratingly inconsistent Craven Cottage outfit, before Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov completed the rout close to full time.

United surged out of the blocks and were one up inside five minutes with a goal that would set the tone for the rest of the half. Nani took the ball inside Fulham’s territory and moved effortlessly down the left wing, cutting the ball back into the box for Welbeck to ease home at the far corner. The most striking feature of the goal – United’s fluent passing play aside – was the lack of pressure from Fulham that allowed it: no midfielders, no defenders gave Nani even a hint of a tackle, and Welbeck’s finish looked more like the completion of a training ground exercise than a crucial moment in a top-flight league match.

United gained more confidence from the goal, and continued to move the ball effortlessly about the park. Michael Carrick was efficient in centre-midfield, starting attacks with excellent distribution to the wide men – and after Phil Jones was injured with a potentially fractured cheekbone and replaced by Ashley Young, United had four traditional wide men marauding the pitch with Young partnering Nani, Giggs and Valencia. Two of those, Nani and Giggs, secured the win before half time, with a flicked header and a deflected effort respectively to ensure the Fulham players trudged to the sheds surrounded by boos at the break. And rightly so: this tepid display has been seen too often this season from the men in white, and how it must infuriate their fans. The tempo and pressure that was so effectively used in the recent win against Liverpool was nowhere to be seen.

Coming out in the second half, Fulham finally found their feet. They played with far greater intensity as influential figures such as Clint Dempsey and the increasingly popular Moussa Dembele fought hard. When you’re 3-0 down at the break after a weak first half, however, these efforts are almost always in vain, and when United decided to lift to another gear late on, more punishment was inflicted. Wayne Rooney, who had been putting in a hard-working if not outstanding performance for his side thus far, unleashed a classic long range drive that swung away from Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale in front of the delighted United supporters, before the substitute Dimitar Berbatov added a sneaky back heel goal to make it five.

The 5-0 final score was a little harsh on Fulham given their second half work rate – but this was United’s night from start to finish, and although they will go to Christmas two points shy of their neighbours in sky blue, they will still be delighted to have rediscovered the free-flowing, free-scoring form that characterised the opening games of their campaign. The only sour note of the night for them was the aforementioned injury to Phil Jones, as well as to Ashley Young who returned to the bench with knee damage.

Fulham find themselves in more uncertain territory. In 13th position, just four points above the drop zone, they are in a maelstrom of sides of whom all could rise up the table, or just as feasibly get bogged down in a relegation fight. With the congested Christmas schedule just getting started, and tough fixtures against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal coming up, they need to find fluency and consistency – and fast.

Fulham 0
Mancheser United 5 (Welbeck 5, Nani 28, Giggs 43, Rooney 88, Berbatov 90)

As a 22-year-old American postgraduate student at the University of Reading, I’m in heaven.

Let me explain. Like an already massive and ever-growing number of American kids, I grew up playing soccer, and continued playing until I went to college. Watching soccer at its highest level, though, was difficult. Major League Soccer, when I was younger, was nowhere near as popular, successful, and competitive as it is now.

The Premier League hadn’t yet come to television in the United States as it does now, but times have certainly changed. Trust me. By living in England at the moment, I can watch far more Premier League games on TV in a given week in the US than I can in England.

I’m looking forward to getting home for Christmas and spending my mornings and early afternoons watching as many of the festive fixtures as I can. The jam-packed schedule at this time of year is the busiest part of the Premier League season, and there’s no place I’d rather be than home to watch it all.

With that said, however, as much as I love being able to watch games on TV, there’s nothing quite like attending a match in person. Television simply doesn’t capture the atmosphere of 30,000-40,000 fans chanting on any given matchday. It is an experience that is indescribable, other than to say that if you ever have a chance to go to a Premier League game, you have to do it.

As someone who loves soccer, though, I don’t just love the Premier League. I studied for a semester in London last year and was able to get to a number of games, including Fulham v Wolfsburg in the Europa League quarterfinals. I watched my favorite club, Aston Villa, on their away trips to Chelsea, Portsmouth, and Fulham. I saw Q.P.R. host Cardiff in the Championship, and League One Brighton host Bristol Rovers at the Withdean Stadium (perhaps the worst ground I’ve ever attended). Being in London was great; tube and train links to almost any stadium in London and cities beyond are fabulous, and travel was easy.

I’ve been in Reading since the beginning of October. Travel hasn’t quite been as easy, I must admit. Trains in England are now much more expensive than they were last year. That hasn’t stopped me from going to games, though, and here are some of my personal highlights:

Reading v Derby County (October 18): Sitting right next to the Derby bench, I watched their manager Nigel Clough repeatedly curse his own players with some of the worst expletives you’ll ever hear, and engage in entertaining banter with the home supporters in the crowd. The match ended 2-2, with all 4 goals coming in the last 30 minutes of the game. Oh, and Robbie Savage performed a Strictly Come Dancing routine on the field at halftime with his gorgeous partner.

Aston Villa v West Brom (October 22): This was my first trip ever to Villa Park, which gave me goosebumps when I saw it, despite the fact that the stadium is in the middle of a terrible neighborhood. On top of that, this is a heated local derby. West Brom stole a 2-1 win against 10-man Villa, and from my seat in the famous Holte End, I saw a penalty scored and a penalty missed, as well as that (incorrect) sending off.

Fulham v Wisla Krakow (November 3): £10 for a ticket to this Europa League game seemed like a great deal to me, and I was rewarded. Fulham won 4-1 with Andy Johnson scoring one of the best goals you’ll see all season:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjBVJgWxad0

Villa v Norwich (November 5): My second trip to Birmingham was successful, with my boys winning 3-2 behind a great performance from Gabby Agbonlahor. My seat was right next to where some of the Norwich staff and players who couldn’t fit on the bench were sitting, and it was fun talking to them throughout the 90 minutes. Not as high-and-mighty as I expected professionals in their position to be. On the contrary, they were all decent guys, even in defeat.

Swindon Town v Aldershot (November 26): This was the most dominating performance I’ve seen, with the home side thoroughly deserving their 2-0 win and playing some great stuff on the way. Just as entertaining, though, was watching Swindon boss and West Ham legend Paolo di Canio, in typical Italian fashion, gesticulating wildly with his hands, talking excitedly throughout the game, and looking immaculately stylish in his expensive Italian clothes while doing so.

Television is great – don’t get me wrong – but you’re relying on the producer to give you views of everything. At a game yourself, you can watch whatever you want, and the beauty of soccer is you can see something different at every single game. It is the only sport where a team can be significantly worse than its opponent for 90 minutes and still win, or significantly better for the duration and still lose. As I said above, if you ever have a chance to attend a match in person, you simply can’t pass it up. You never know what you’ll see.

This Saturday, I’ll be going down to the South Coast to watch Southampton play Blackpool, and the hosts have won 19 league games in a row at St Mary’s Stadium. Even so, with the way Ian Holloway likes his teams to play, I wouldn’t be shocked if Blackpool came out of there with a result, and again, that’s just what is so special about this game we love so much.

Perhaps Clint Dempsey, the man known as “Deuce,” is the greatest American soccer player of all time.

The Texan had an enormous impact on me as a child growing up in the Boston area. Dempsey’s scrappy goals and occasional appearances on the national team won over my heart. My parents took me to Gillette Stadium many times to see the New England Revolution in their “glory days,“ but when I was there I did not care if Taylor Twellman scored again, if Steve Ralston influenced the match, or if Jay Heaps was playing solid defensively. All I cared about was Deuce. His runs were fantastic as I can remember, along with his skill, but most impressive was his ability to be in the right place at the right time, and willingness to put his body on the line for a goal.

During the same period of time, I saw my first European match. It was the Liverpool vs. AC Milan, the 2005 Champions League Final. I was ten at the time and all I had known was MLS. This match opened my eyes to the world of football. And as any young boy would, I pledged my faith, and naturally my life, to Liverpool Football Club. I have faked sick to be home for Champions League matches and I do put my phone on airplane mode if I have to watch a match on tape delay. As we all know, following a football club is an obsession, but when one gets tied to a local player and international team, things can get complex quickly.

The 2006 World Cup was my first “real” World Cup and when Clint Dempsey was selected to the USA team by Bruce Arena, I lost it. Fortunately, my birthday was just a month before the World Cup finals commenced and of course the #8 was on the back of the new navy blue USMNT jersey.

I’ll never forget being in school, while the U.S. played the Czech Republic. It was torturous to sit in class, but I managed to convince my teacher I had a bad stomach ache, at least 9 times that day, to run to the library every 10 or so minutes to check the score. It was a fun, yet painful experience, and even more so after I learned Dempsey did not start. The U.S. lost the match, of course, leading to their disappointing display in Germany. When the Stars and Stripes played the eventual winners Italy, Dempsey played very well and his match was highlighted by a quadruple scissors, which I practiced for at least a  month after the event. Though, the match against Ghana took the cake.

DaMarcus Beasley had frustrated me for years, and in that third group match, he sent another aimless ball into space. At the time, Dempsey was out of the frame and I remember screaming an obscenity at the TV screen, forgetting I was in the presence of my friend‘s parents. Then out of nowhere, Dempsey streaked in like a lighting bolt, and hammered the half-volley past the Ghanaian keeper. Absolutely stunning. That is the joy only football can bring, as a local hero can go abroad and dance in front of cameras broadcasting a match around the globe after scoring a sensational goal. Deuce could not have struck it any sweeter.

In January 2007, after the New England Revolution had lost yet another MLS Cup, with Dempsey coming on as a substitute due to injuries, Fulham snatched the Furman star from Steve Nicol’s team. Thus, my soccer idol had made it to the top league in the world. The only problem being that I supported Liverpool. If the Reds win, I am ecstatic, but if they draw or lose I get stick for a week from the City, United, and Chelsea bandwagon jumpers (it’s been a long few years).

On May 5, 2007, two days after my birthday, Liverpool played Fulham. I never thought Clint would get playing time in the match as he was barely getting any beforehand and Fulham were in the midst of a relegation fight. Of course, I entered a state of shock watching the match when Dempsey scored to give Fulham the 1-0 win. Sure it saved Fulham and I was excited that of all people Clint struck for the Cottagers, but this was my first experience in football where my emotions collided.

Fast forward to December 5, 2011. In between the above dates, Dempsey had led the United States to the Confederations Cup Final and scored notable goals for club and country, the best being his chip against Juventus to put the Cottagers through on that magical European night at Craven Cottage. Meanwhile, Liverpool had a strong season upon Torres’ arrival, but sold Xabi Alonso but have struggled since.

I knew the fixture was coming and it was that time of year when Dempsey had to take on the Reds. I posted on Facebook Sunday nightthat Liverpool would win the match 2-1, with a Dempsey goal coming from inside the six (as most of his goals do). Just three days ago, I was in the school library surrounded by Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Barcelona supporters. The voice of Ian Darke takes one away from troubles, such as homework, until a challenging moment occurs. I heard Darke’s words before I could process the goal. I’ll never forget that moment when Dempsey scored to beat LFC again at Craven Cottage. It was a classic, scrappy Dempsey goal, scored inside the six. When the final whistle blew, I slammed my computer lid and was on the T faster than ever before. I just wanted to get home and forget it all. I felt like my own child had betrayed me. Liverpool had lost, Dempsey had scored.

There are a lot of strange people on the T and I became one of them when I wiped tears from my eyes after that crushing blow. It was amazing to me how one man could come so far from a MLS team in southern Massachusetts, to breaking the hearts of millions wearing red, myself included.

I am proud of Clint for scoring the goal. Yet I can never forgive him for defeating Liverpool. He has saved my country and local club countless times, but when he beats the club I will support until I die, it is was as if a dagger was shoved into my heart.

Fulham plays Queens Park Rangers this weekend in a highly anticipated derby between two clubs with something to prove. Fulham is looking for their first win of the season, while QPR is looking to pick up much-needed points.

While the actual game doesn’t kick off until Sunday morning, the FIFA 12 simulation machine has been busy and has shown us who will win in this match simulation;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szvUQXhRfDs

Do you agree with the result that the FIFA 12 match simulation conjured up? Share your feedback in the comments section below.

William McGregor, founding father of the Football League in 1888

The focus for a long time was on the “big four” of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Tottenham and Manchester City made enough inroads to turn that into the “Sky Six” temporarily. To be honest, most of the noise generated by the media, which drives the fans is about a handful of clubs. If it weren’t for the negativity about Arsenal, you’d be likely to think there are really just two teams in the league this year: United and City.

Fans eagerly allow this media bias to help form their opinions about other clubs, often calling them “small.” That’s not to say there aren’t smaller or bigger clubs in the Premier League currently. Based on grounds or history, obviously Wigan or Swansea are smaller than United or Arsenal. But they aren’t that small. And it doesn’t mean they are without history and accomplishment. In fact of the Sky Six, do you know how many are founding members of the Football League? None. But that was in 1888, so obviously those clubs no longer matter. Nope! Seven of the 12 founding members are in the top flight today and Derby Co. and Burnley have been back in recent seasons.

For the record, the 12 that started all of this are Accrington (the only one to fold), Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Everton, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That means that seven clubs in the EPL already have a deeper story than the media would have you believe. The next time somebody calls Blackburn or West Brom a small club, it would be wise to remind them that they won their first F.A. Cups in 1884 and 1888 respectively, before Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool even existed. And if somebody asks “Who is Stoke City,” then the answer is Notts County’s only contemporary.

This isn’t an indictment of the Sky Six, Big Four or the City/Chelsea petro-era. This is a plea to respect all clubs because in the league there is only one club that was born post WWI (Wigan Athletic) and only a few that have no major silverware. This is a list of all 20 EPL clubs and their honours by year of birth:

1863
Stoke City (as Stoke Ramblers or Stoke FC until 1928) are the second oldest football team in the world. They do not have as many honours as most clubs but they did come in second in the First Division in 1947 and made the final of the F.A. Cup last year. But mostly, they have been around much longer than your club.

1874
Aston Villa have won the First division seven times, the F.A. Cup seven times and a European Championship in 1982. They have played at Villa Park since 1897 and were once considered the most successful side in England bar none.

Bolton Wanderers (as Christ Church FC until 1877) have won four F.A. Cups and were an early power of English football. While they seemed to have fallen from grace in the 1960′s, they returned to the league in 2000 and have have been a mid-table staple since. They were the first team to win the F.A. Cup at Wembley.

1875
Blackburn Rovers have won three top flight titles and six F.A. Cups. They still hold the longest undefeated F.A. Cup run at 24 and had Jack Walker to thank for their last title.

1877
Wolverhampton Wanderers (St. Luke’s until 1879) have won three First Division titles and four F.A. Cups.  They have played at Molineux since 1889 and the name Stan Cullis should be in every fan’s knowledge base.

1878
Everton (St. Domingo’s until 1879) has only been relegated twice since joining the league at the beginning. They have won nine First Division titles, five F.A. Cups and a Cup Winners Cup. Everton’s current financial crisis goes back to Heysel and the loss of brand recognition that the incident cost them due to the European ban.

West Bromich Albion have won one First Division title and have been runners up twice. They have won five F.A. Cups as well. The 1953-54 side that nearly won the double was once named the “Team of the Century” by the media. Their nickname of the Baggies was once a derogatory slur used against them.

Manchester United (Newton Heath until 1902) started life as an awful club. After a change of ownership and name in 1902, they have gone on to win 19 league titles, 11 F.A. Cups, a Cup Winners Cup and three European Cups. In fact, with each new owner United has grown bigger and won more, but United fans seem to long for the days of solid second division obscurity. Makes you almost hope they achieve it.

1879
Fulham lack honours but they are the oldest London club. Their current period in the top flight is by far their best. They were runners up in the 1975 F.A. Cup and 2010 Europa League. They were denied a piece of the legend of the 1966 World Cup due to a car accident that stymied the career of Johnny Haynes, who had captained the Three Lions 22 times.

Sunderland have won six First Division titles and two F.A. Cups. A massive financial scandal in 1957 involving over-payments of players led to them being relegated for the first time a year later.

1880
Manchester City (as St. Mark’s or Ardwick until 1894) were a founding member of the Second Division. They have won the First Division twice and the F.A. Cup five times. Like Arsenal’s WM and Tottenham’s Push and Run, they have a tactical plan to their name, called the Revie plan. And they won the Cup Winners Cup in 1970. But since they have so much money, we need to remind them that they were in the third tier of English football in 1999 :p

1882
Queens Park Rangers formed when two clubs known as St Jude’s and Christchurch Rangers merged. They were a lower tier club until 1967, when they won a League Cup, got promoted twice in succession and came second in the league in 1976. They lost a F.A. Cup final in 1981 and have been a yo-yo club since. They were also the richest club in the world for a short while.

The Modern Era of Football starts with the formation of Tottenham Hotspur (originally Hotspur FC) in 1882 on the Hackney Marshes. They are the only non-league side to win the F.A. Cup (in 1901) and have won it an additional seven times. They were the first side to win the double in 1961 to add to their title in 1951. Any mention of the number of titles since 1961 will not be authorized in the comment section They have also won four League Cups and two UEFA Cups.

1886
Arsenal (originally Woolwich Arsenal) were formed in South London. They have taken up temporary residence in North London since 1913. They were the first southern club in the league and have been managed by two men who changed the English game for the good in Arsene Wenger and Herbert Chapman. They have won 13 league titles, ten F.A. Cups and a Cup Winners Cup.

1892
Newcastle United were formed from the merger of Newcastle East End and West End and have played at St. James Park since then. They have won four First Division titles, six F.A. Cups and the 1969 Fairs Cup. They have the dramas of Kevin Keegan and Mike Ashley to draw upon in the recent past and the near double in 1905 to draw upon in the distant.

Liverpool split off from Everton over a grounds issue with a board member. They were promoted in 1894 and have won 18 titles, seven F.A. Cups, three UEFA Cups, and five European Championships. The names Heysel and Hillsborough have given this club more drama than any club needs.

1902
Norwich City were founded in 1902 as well. Unfortunately it took them 70 years to get to the First Division. But still have two League Cups and have been in the top flight a number of times. So “Let’s Be ‘Avin Ya.”

1905
Chelsea have won four titles, six F.A. Cups, four League Cups and a Cup Winners Cup. They have a strong link to the hooliganism era and were robbed of entry to the first European Championship by the league.

The last two are the two with the least history and honours, but we must respect that the work done to make these clubs has been done in staunchly rugby towns.

1912
Before this year, Swansea City have played two seasons in the top flight. They hold the record for the fastest rise from the Fourth Division to the First jointly with Wimbledon. They both did it in four years but the Swans did it first. Their reserve team has won the Welsh league 12 times. The Gaffer told me that they are the only team Pele feared, but I think that might be a lie.

1932
Wigan Athletic were the fourth attempt to raise a club in Wigan. They didn’t make the league until 1978 but in 1995 Dave Whelan took over and they made it to the First Division in 2005 and lost to United in the League Cup final in 2006. They also have two Johnson Paint trophies.

So as you can plainly see, no team is small. No team lacks history or drama or even honours. There are bigger clubs and smaller clubs, but that is always relative to the era. So let’s try to respect all other clubs rather than using derogatory terms based on their attendance, their traveling support, their last trophy or their current financial malaise. And remember, the lower divisions are littered with great teams such as West Ham, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Derby County to name but a few. Your team could end up there with a bad season, and then you might be called small too.