Former England midfield duo Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard admitted they were raring to get their Major League Soccer debuts under their belts for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York City FC respectively this month.

Louis van Gaal thinks Manchester United will be in a much better position to challenge for the title next year because of their shorter pre-season tour.

For many years, England worried about squeezing Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard into the same midfield. Now America frets about getting them into the same league, writes Larry Ryan.

In football, there is an infinite number of reasons why a manager can be asked to pack his bags, but the bottom line when the new man is hired is always the same: do better than the last guy.

One major selection dilemma haunts Alejandro Sabella ahead of the clash with Belgium; will he stick with calamity centre-half, Lorenzo?

Could this be the end of the great Barcelona team of Messi, Xavi andIniesta?

Mike Magee bagged a hat-trick and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane struck late as the defending-champion Los Angeles Galaxy began their MLS season with a 4-0 win over the Chicago Fire.

Back in April when it was scored most everyone agreed that Chris Forrester’s exquisite goal for St Patrick’s Athletic against Shamrock Rovers — a scooped lob which was as immaculate as it was audacious — would not be bettered in the Airtricity League this season.

John Terry and Frank Lampard scored as Chelsea suffered a 3-2 defeat to the Major League Soccer All Stars at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Ireland captain Robbie Keane and the host of stars at LA Galaxy stuttered again at the weekend as they were beaten 1-0 by New York Red Bulls.

David Bentley could make a shock appearance for Tottenham before the end of the season after he was named in the club’s 25-man squad for the rest of the current campaign.

WITH Robbie Keane on the verge of lending his body to Aston Villa for medical research and Thierry Henry having made that memorable return to Arsenal, you would be forgiven for thinking that European clubs are stockpiling for the winter with US-based players.

BILLY BEANE, the man behind the Moneyball phenomenon, has dismissed the notion that the principles which brought him success in baseball cannot be adapted to other sports.

HE’S only been out there a wet weekend — well, alright then, a dry one —– and already Robbie Keane’s gone all Hollywood on us.

UNLIKE Robbie Keane, Keith Andrews had no qualms about dropping down a tier in England earlier this month but the midfielder praised the Ireland captain last night for a decision that has split opinion on both sides of the Irish Sea.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is confident skipper Robbie Keane will be ready to lead his country into Euro 2012 battle after jetting in from America.

Robbie Keane marked his Los Angeles Galaxy debut with a goal as his new side defeated San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 at the Home Depot Centre.

ROBBIE KEANE last night reiterated his commitment to the Irish team and insisted he hadn’t moved to southern California for a holiday.

ROBBIE KEANE yesterday described his move to the LA Galaxy as a “dream come true” after he finalised a €4 million transfer from Tottenham Hotspur.

FROM the Old Lady of Turin to the Old American Golf Club of Texas, Ronnie O’Brien’s remarkable sporting career has taken another unlikely twist.

Arsenal great Thierry Henry has begun a training stint with the club in order to keep fit during the Major League Soccer off-season.

YOU can call off the search.

Thierry Henry was on the scoresheet as the New York Red Bulls closed the gap on Columbus Crew at the top of the Eastern Conference of the MLS with a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

Tottenham have today announced a new £20m (€23m) shirt sponsorship deal with software infrastructure company Autonomy and could double their income further by landing a similar deal for the club’s cup games.

David Beckham insists he can understand Frank Yallop’s decision to leave Los Angeles Galaxy.

Derby have completed the signing of Leeds winger Eddie Lewis for an undisclosed fee.

Major League Soccer commissioner Dan Garber claims he will not insist David Beckham attends tonight’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game in Denver if it impacts his recovery from an ankle injury.

CELTIC legends and supporters will join together to bid farewell to Jimmy Johnstone today.

Leeds have signed Eddie Lewis on a free transfer after the American winger left Championship rivals Preston.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill tonight confirmed he has allowed out-of-favour goalkeeper Magnus Hedman (pictured) join Italian side Ancona on loan until the end of the season.

Anderlecht have agreed to sell Croatia striker Ivica Mornar to Portsmouth.

Good luck messages for Manchester United legend George Best were flooding in this afternoon as the 56-year-old underwent a liver transplant.