Best and worst deals of the January transfer window

With the January transfer window now closed, squads across Europe are set for the rest of the season. Teams will now have to hope that the transfers they made over the last month will be sufficient to help them close out the 2014/15 campaign.

Millions upon millions of dollars were spent in January, some on good deals, some on poor deals. Some clubs also neglected to make necessary deals.

Five changes that would put MLS on top

(en.wikipedia.org)

There is no doubt that MLS is on the rise. With the expansion at the beginning of next season, and more teams expected to join in the coming years, American soccer is growing to new heights.

However, the the top-tier domestic league still has a long way to go before it will be amongst the top leagues in the world. To be competitive and amongst the world's top leagues MLS will need to instill five major changes.

Hope Still Remains for Liverpool FC

After making a return to the UEFA Champions League after a five-year absence, Liverpool's hopes have again fallen after being unable to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

Manchester United Rolls on After Tough Start

(manutd.com)

After a very rocky start to the season, Manchester United has turned its season around, and now sits third in the Premier League Table.

Van Gaal Woes Continue

(telegraph.co.uk)

Following an outstanding preseason campaign in the United States, Louis van Gaal has hit a snag as the Barclays Premier League has begun.  After winning all their matches in the United States, van Gaal's side has yet to find a win in the regular season.

U.S. Soccer Icon to Retire

Landon Donovan is the best goal scorer in MLS history and has been the face of the MLS for the last 10 years

A United States soccer icon, and the most recognizable and noteworthy face of the MLS is playing out his final season. Landon Donovan, perhaps the best men's player in U.S. soccer history, has announced that he will hang up his boots following the conclusion of the 2014 MLS season. Despite being only 32, Donovan has built up quite the resume.

European Teams Prepare for Season in United States Tournament

(Twitter.com)

As teams prepare for the upcoming season, eight European clubs have opted to prepare in North America by participating in the International Champions Cup.  Some of the biggest teams in Europe have already begun to prepare for the tournament which begins on Thursday.

Germany Wins on Magnificent Goal

(time.com)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Germany has now joined the select few teams to have won four World Cups after Sunday's victory at the Maracana. Mario Götze's extra time goal, gave Germany their first World Cup title since 1990.

Germany Puts up Touchdown on Host Brazil

Overmatched. That one word sums up Brazil's performance today in Belo Horizonte against Germany. Everyone thought that Neymar and Thiago Silva's absences would have an impact but nobody thought that would mean a 7-1 thrashing.

This picture pretty much sums up the day that Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar had

Brazil played a very solid first 5 minutes before everything started going downhill. The defense was lacking, the touches were sloppy and Brazil didn't even bother to try to play through the midfield. Once Germany started to control the possession there was no turning back.

The scoring began with Thomas Muller in the 11th minute off of a corner kick. It was Muller's fifth goal of this tournament and his tenth in his World Cup career. Muller would also add two assists in the game. In the 23rd minute Miroslav Klose broke Ronaldo's World Cup goal scoring record with his 16th career World Cup goal to make it 2-0. Three minutes later it was 4-0 thanks to two goals from Toni Kroos. Three minutes after that Sami Khedira capped the first half scoring to put the Germans ahead 5-0.

Miroslav Klose now has the most World Cup goals by any player in history

The second half did not provide much relief for the hosts. They did get off to a fairly decent start once again, by holding some possession in the German half and even had some dangerous touches but those attacks disappeared quickly only to be replaced by German offensives. In the 69th minute, just ten minutes after replacing Klose, Andre Schurrle added a 6th goal for the Germans, and ten minutes after that the seventh.

Mesut Ozil very nearly added an 8th goal for the Germans before Oscar received a long pass from from Marcelo and dribbled his way past Jermoe Boateng to put the Brazilians on the board in the 90th minute. A few late chances including the Oscar finish were really the only signs of life from an outmatched and disappointing Brazilian squad.

It had been talked about all tournament, how Brazil's whole offense was simply Neymar and there was no better example than today. Brazil could not get anything going offensively for 89 minutes outside of a few counters or set pieces. Defensively the showing was even worse. There was little pressure on the ball and German players were making runs towards goal nearly completely unmarked. They group seemed completely disorganized, something that Thiago Silva, as captain, may have been able to improve somewhat had he been available.

Of course Neymar and Thiago Silva would not have been enough to turn the tides of this game around. That's not to say they weren't missed but the Germans were simply too good and the Brazilians too lazy for the outcome to have been changed. That said it certainly would have been more competitive and a better performance from the hosts had those two key players been able to play.

Germany awaits the winner of Argentina vs. Netherlands in the finals on Sunday, July 13.

Brazil beats Colombia, loses Neymar

Brazil defeated Colombia 2-1 on goals from Thiago Silva and David Luiz while conceding only a penalty kick to James Rodriguez, but lost their best player to injury. Neymar took a knee to the back and was removed from the game in the 88th minute. A trip to the hospital revealed that he suffered a fractured vertebra and will be shelved for the remainder of the tournament.

Neymar will be out for the remainder of the World Cup with a fractured back

Thiago Silva scored off a Neymar corner kick after he was unmarked on his run to the far post in the 7th minute. David Luiz put the hosts up by 2 in the 68th minute when he scored a beautiful, curling free kick from 35 yards out.

Colombia got their goal from James Rodriguez from the penalty spot in the 80th minute. It was Rodriguez's sixth goal of the tournament, the most of any player, but in the end could not find an equalizer in the last ten minutes.

The hosts became the first team in World Cup history to win a game after going to penalty shots in the game prior.

Brazil will be facing Germany in the semifinal without their captain and top defender Thiago Silva, who is serving a yellow card suspension, as well as Neymar.

Neymar's production will be tough to replicate. He had four goals and an assist but also led his country in shots, chances created, and touches in the attacking half. Brazil will look to some inconsistent performers to come together to try to create offense. Fred, Oscar and Hulk as well as whoever coach Luiz Felipe Scolari selects to replace Neymar will all need to have big games against a tough German defense of the hosts want to reach the final.

Two Late Goals Break Mexican Hearts

Giovani dos Santos gave El Tri the lead with his first international goal since 2012

Mexico took a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute on a goal from Giovani dos Santos after dominating much of the first half, following the departure of Dutch defenseman Nigel de Jong. 40 minutes later, with the Dutch in desperation mode, Wesley Sneijder equalized off a Klaas jan Huntelaar header. 6 minutes later Arjen Robben drew a foul in the box for a penalty kick, which Huntelaar powered home to give the Netherlands a 2-1 victory.

Brazil Survives Penalty Kicks to Advance Past Chile

Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar stepped up when his team needed him, saving two penalties and forcing this miss from Gonazalo Jara

Brazil will advance to the next round thanks in big part to a post and a crossbar. As time was ticking down at the end of extra time Mauricio Pinilla launched a shot that beat Julio Cesar but smacked into the crossbar and away. Then in penalty kicks, after Neymar had put Brazil ahead 3-2, Gonzalo Jara's shot bounced off the inside of the post and out of bounds to seal the win.

Uruguay Eliminate Italy Despite Suarez Disgrace

Natal, Brazil - In the midst of yet another shocking action by Uruguay striker, Luis Suarez, Italy has been eliminated to the surprise of many.  Suarez, who has a history of causing problems on the pitch has now been accused of a third biting incident.

Neymar leads Brazil to top spot in Group A

Joel Matip became the first Cameroonian not named Samuel Eto'o to score in a World Cup

Brasilia, BRAZIL- Brazilian superstar Neymar added two more goals to lead the hosts past Cameroon 4-1 and into the Round of 16. Neymar now has four goals in three career World Cup matches. Brazil also got goals from a newly mustachioed Fred and sub Fernandinho. Cameroon's tally came off the foot of Joel Matip.

Mexico's offense shows up at right time

With this header, Chicharito broke an 11 match scoreless streak

Recife, BRAZIL-Mexico broke through a scoreless match for three goals in the last 20 minutes to defeat Croatia 3-1 and advance to the Round of 16. Mexico got off to a somewhat slow start but late in the first half they seemed to wake up and put consistent pressure on the Croatian defense. In the end the Mexican offense was simply too persistent for Croatia.

USA Earns Tie Amass Late Portugal Goal

(fanside.com)

MANAUS, Brazil - The United States was just seconds away from clinching its second consecutive berth to a World Cup knockout stage. But in the blink of an eye, Silvestre Varela headed in the game-tying goal to save Portugalfrom being eliminated from the tournament and drawing level with the U.S. for a 2-2 final.

Germany, Ghana Play to Physical 2-2 Draw

(FIFA/Getty Images)

FORTALEZA, Brazil - Miroslav Klose equaled Ronaldo's all-time World Cup‬ goals records to save Germany a 2-2 draw against Ghana Saturday. The 71st minute equalizer helped Germany avoid a loss against a physical Ghana squad and keeps them atop group G.

England Eliminated After Second Straight Win by Costa Rica

(The Guardian)

Recife, Brazil - For the first time since 1958 England have been eliminated from the World Cup in the Group Stage.  This shock came after a second consecutive stunning win by Costa Rica on Friday in Recife.

Fanatic Radio 6/20/14

Former US Men's National Team player Tony Sanneh is our Weekly Conversation to discuss the United State's chances in the World Cup, what his experieneces were like when his 2002 squad acomplished the greatest feat in US soccer history since 1930, what Jurgen Klinsmann is selling to his team and what Landon Donovan's plans should be for the future. Grace Wilson of the American U field hockey team also joins us to talk about the teams unique summer Eurotrip and their chances are to return to the NCAA Tournament. Mike and Ben also talk who are the favorites for the rest of the World Cup and if the United States can beat Portugal again and advance to the knockout stages.

New Sports Podcasts with Fanatic Radio on BlogTalkRadio

Fanatic Radio 6/20/14 06/20 by Fanatic Radio | Sports Podcasts

Spain Eliminated After Second Straight Defeat

(FIFA.com)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - After another poor performance, the defending World Cup Champions, Spain have been eliminated in the Group Stage in Brazil.  Spain is now only the fourth defending World Cup Champion to be eliminated in the Group Stage of the following World Cup.