>Carlo Ancelotti newest Chelsea manager, already seeing transfer strain of EPL financial woes

Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti left AC Milan to become the most recent manager at Stamford Bridge. This is Chelsea’s fifth manager since hiring Jose Mourinho away from FC Porto in 2004.

While Mourinho brought the club two Premier League titles and many other trophies, none after him were able to do the same until this past FA Cup victory. Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s owner, has longed for the manager that can handle the throng of superstars since Mourinho’s departure. His hasty hiring and firing practices has led him now to Ancelotti.

Ancelotti has already felt the financial strain of the Premier League. He wishes to sign a major player to help change the identity of the Blues, but realizes that might not be possible without a sale of his own. Surprisingly, Much has been said about captain John Terry’s possible sale.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe

Some even suggests that the sale of Terry may be the financial gain they need to change the identity of the team to Ancoletti’s liking. Crazy to think of Terry in anything other than Chelsea blue. If Terry or Chelsea actually go through with such a move, one has to question the loyalty in sports today as Terry seems to be of the character of said trait.

Speaking of John Terry…

> Manchester City pulling its best Real Madrid impression, sign Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor

While other clubs have felt the strain of worldwide economic woes, big spending Real Madrid and Manchester City have thrown any financial caution to the wind and have spent. The team making the most headlines this summer in Manchester is not the one you would think.

Manchester City has signed Carlos Tevez away from neighboring Manchester United as well as Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor. City has plenty of fire power and have to be considered a huge threat for the top four positions and Champions League and possibly even the Premier League title.

It’s looking more and more like they won’t get their English star in Terry, as Chelsea have already rejected two offers in the realm of 30 million pounds. Regardless, City have added expensive players like Robinho, Tevez, and now Adebayor. The battle for Manchester may augment itself and become the battle for the Premier League.

>Seattle Sounders drawing consistent crowds, currently sit second in MLS standings in first year

How many people attend an MLS game? I can’t tell you the average across the league, but I bet Seattle’s franchise can debunk your prejudices concerning MLS attendance. For their home games in 2009, they currently average 29,983. Yes, I typed that correctly. In fact, they exceeded 31,000 on three occasions, two of which have been their last two home games. I have plenty of questions.

Should I be surprised? Something tells me that their attendance will drop dramatically after this inaugural season. I have mentioned before that I am a big fan of the Philadelphia franchise building its stadium in Chester, PA. There will be much more of a demand there. But I don’t know if interest in the MLS can be sustained like it is in Seattle.

It might also help that the Sounders, who formerly played in the USL divisions, are one of the league’s best teams. They only trail Houston in terms of standings, attaining 28 points with a 7-3-7 record. Their goal differential is also tops in the leagues along with Houston at +10.

They aren’t without their noticeable players either. Former U.S. national team goalkeeper and Fulham goalkeeper Kasey Keller plays in the net. The Washington state native has recorded five clean sheets so far.

Forward Fredy Montero leads the team with 9 goals and 6 assists. The twenty-one year old Colombian, who celebrates his twenty-second birthday this coming Sunday, is fun to watch. He has skills to become a great player and not just in the MLS. He was very popular in playing in his native country and has four caps for the Colombian national team.

But here is the key for the MLS: can they hang on to a young star like Montero? They’ve lost Jozy Altidore, Maurice Edu, and many others to European transfers. As far as Seattle, it seems to be a beakon of hope as far as soccer interest. European clubs have made many a summer trips to the city because they know there is a demand there. Chelsea returned for a friendly against the Sounders this past Saturday and I think Real Madrid was there a couple of years ago.

You can see Montero’s ability to settle the ball and find the back of the net here. His debut in the MLS where he scored 2 goals and had an assist against New York below. An amazing player.

Got any soccer news or comments? Take a seat on the bench and let your ‘pickins’ be heard.

A bitter, often belligerent past, like that of the Yankees and Red Sox. Short distances causing territorial conflict, like the eight miles separating the campuses of Duke and North Carolina. Desire to claim oneself as the best-of-the-best, like the many championships and Heisman winners between Ohio State and Michigan. And many times it just comes down to tradition, like Harvard and Yale or Army-Navy. We can always expect superhuman efforts from these games and assured overflowing crowds that create an atmosphere unlike any other.

Until you’ve watched a derby game, you truly haven’t given soccer a fair shot. Here’s a rundown of some of the greatest derbies in the UK in hopes you’ll try and catch one this premier league season:

Merseyside Derby
Everton vs. Liverpool
There’s two types of people in Liverpool, England: a blue (Everton) and a red (Liverpool) – two teams separated by ten city blocks and roots deeper than any red oak in California. Many stories surround how these two clubs came to be, but here’s my favorite: Everton was the original club in Liverpool, but after a dispute over the stadium, Everton players bolted across town for a fresh start. Those who stayed began the Liverpool Football Club.

North London Derby
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur
The only two clubs in the north of London and perhaps the most heated London derby. Tottenham defeated the Gunners last year 5-1 for the first time since the 1999 campaign. Spurs fans hold on to fewer and much older accolades than their neighbors, Arsenal, but this rivalry could be rejuvenated after last year’s result along with Tottenham’s many summer signings.

North-West Derby
Manchester United vs. Liverpool
The two most successful clubs in England have a right to have their own derby, even if they are separated by more land than any of these others.

Tyne-Wear Derby
Newcastle United vs. Sunderland
From the Northwest derby to one in the Northeast of England. Two cities in the same region only ten miles apart. Many factors play into this derby and some run as deep as those supportive of the English Parliament and those supportive of the Royalists.

London Borough Derby
Chelsea vs. Fulham
It’s a treat any time two London clubs get together. This one parallels the small farm school against the big city school. Chelsea is known worldwide and consistently signs top players and enjoys the riches of international success, while Fulham stays humble in a much smaller stadium yet loyal fan base. The allure of this rivalry is the day Fulham can pull of the monstrous upset at their home park, similar to Milan beating Muncie Central, or Hickory defeating South Bend for you movie buffs.

Lancashire Derby (Manchester)
Manchester United vs. Manchester City
The Lancashire region of Northwest England has many derby games, like the battle for Manchester. Usually dominated by United, this derby gained some validity last year when City took the first match against the defending and eventual champions.

Old Firm Derby
Celtic vs. Rangers
This derby comes form the Scottish Premier League and is my personal favorite for several reasons. Both have dominated Scottish soccer, winning a combined 127 Scottish titles. In the late 1880’s when Catholics wanted to play football in Glasgow, the Protestant affiliated Rangers were not very welcoming. So naturally, the Catholics started their own club in 1888 and called it the Celtic Football Club. Nothing more bitter than religious strife! This derby has been a whirlwind, but the mid 1900’s brought change that saw Catholics play for Rangers and Protestants play for Celtic, originally brought about with international signings. The people of Glasgow haven’t forgotten about history and continue to support the club originally allied with their church. My grandfather is a native Protestant of Glasgow and when I asked him if he went to games as a child, he answered with conviction, “I went to Ibrox to support Rangers.” To this day, fans of the away side need police escort to enter the stadium before the game and if you’re an outsider, you’d better know how to dress and not get caught wearing Protestant orange at Celtic Park or green at Ibrox Stadium.