by Aleks V | @aleksvee

It was just another cold, wintry day in the Moscow Oblast as Dynamo prepared to face off against city rivals Lokomotiv. The pregame fireworks, however, suggested this was no ordinary derby.

This past month, Dynamo Moscow celebrated the 70th anniversary of their historic tour of Britain, in which the team beat Chelsea, Cardiff City, Arsenal and Glasgow Rangers with a combined score of 19:9. Representatives from all four clubs and family of the Dynamo players from the 1945 team were invited to Moscow for anniversary-related festivities and were VIP guests at the derby at Arena Khimki on November 30th.

Photo: fcdynamo.ru

Following a sneak peak at the Dynamo stadium's ongoing reconstruction, the group were joined by the club board for a meal at a restaurant and were shown a video put together by Dynamo TV. Then it was off to Arena Khimki, where the guests were not only treated to gifts, but also to a thrilling match that ended in a 2:2 draw. A ceremonial kick off was performed by Arsenal director Ken Friar OBE and Natalia Frolova, daughter of Dynamo manager Mikhail Yakushin, who coached the team during the tour. Among other attendees were three representatives from Cardiff City, Arsenal legend Liam Brady, ex-Glasgow Rangers defender John "Bomber" Brown, and Chelsea ambassador Tore André Flo.

Flo, who had a spell at Rangers, remembers playing at the old Dynamo stadium, where he scored a goal in his team's 4-1 second leg win over the Moscow club in the second round of the 2001-02 UEFA Cup. The game remains Dynamo's last against a British side in any competition.

Few today can brag about having had a firsthand experience related to the 1945 tour, and Ken Friar is among them. "I remember how as a boy I wanted to see the Arsenal-Dynamo match," he recalls. "But tickets were impossible to get, so I had to listen on the radio." Indeed, 54,000 filled the stands that day at White Hart Lane, the Gunners' temporary home after WWII. The match proved to be one of the most memorable - ask anyone who's heard of the Dynamo tour, and they'll probably mention the high-scoring, controversial contest played in a thick "pea souper" of a fog.

Although there was no match between the British and the Russians this year, smiles were exchanged, and memories were made and shared, just as they were 70 years ago.

Photo: fcdynamo.ru

In true Russian style, events surrounding the anniversary began long before the actual dates, when Dynamo attended Soccerex in Manchester this September. Thus, the visit to Moscow by the British two months later became symbolic - it paralleled the return visits in 1954 and 1955, when Arsenal and Wolverhampton set foot on Dynamo stadium.

Such gatherings demonstrate that the importance of the tour lies beyond the pages of text and photographs. They reignite interest in a shared history, and more importantly remind a new generation of the connection between the future and past.

As a famous Russian expression states, "the new is actually the well-forgotten old".
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More on the 70th anniversary of Dynamo Moscow's tour of Britain

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by Aleks V | @aleksvee

Part II in a series on the 70th anniversary of Dynamo Moscow's tour of Britain

Explore locations from Dynamo Moscow's tour of Britain in 1945 and see what those places look like today.

Bottom image: Google Maps.

1945. Dynamo Moscow players feed some pigeons in front of Trafalgar Square. One of Sir Edwin Landseer's bronze cast lions pokes his head in at the right.

While London's largest square is no longer host to a large pigeon community after a ban on feeding them was passed in 2003, the rest of the area is just as it appeared to the Dynamo 70 years ago. The building on the left is the London Drummonds branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland. It has been at its current location since 1760, and held accounts for members of the royal family, including King George III, as well as other important figures such as artist Thomas Gainsborough and potter/abolitionist Josiah Wedgwood, the grandfather of Charles Darwin. The bank is an example of neoclassical architecture, with curved and pointed pediments above its windows and pilasters in between. Behind it stands the Admiralty Arch, commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother Queen Victoria. The buildings adjacent to the Arch were previously government offices and are now being redeveloped into a luxury hotel. The archway and buildings surrounding it are another nod to the classics.

Bottom image: Google Maps.

1945. Dynamo striker Vsevolod Bobrov and his teammates feed some pigeons in London. Joining in on the action at the far right with arm extended is fellow forward Konstantin Beskov. A handful of folk clearly not associated with the team also take part.

The scene unfolds in front of London's Grand Hotel, designed by F & H Francis and James Ebenezer Saunders. It opened in 1880, and was replaced by the current Grand Buildings over a century later. The architectural style was completely retained. The Colosseum-like building has many classical elements that originated in Roman times, including the symmetrical facade, pedestrian arcade, pilasters, and Corinthian columns. Much of the area around and across from the building, including the National Gallery, is an homage to the classics.

In 1945, the lobby of the Grand Hotel featured a News Theatre, Bravington's Rings & Watches, an information center, and a Randall's store. There's also a billboard for Ivor Novello's Perchance to Dream, which opened that year at the London Hippodrome. Presented by Tom Arnold, the cast of the musical included Novello himself, who played three different roles, as well as English theater and film actress Margaret Rutherford, winner of an Oscar and a Golden Globe who was later appointed OBE and DBE. She is best known for playing Miss Jane Marple in the films based on Agatha Christie's crime novels.

Speaking of films, London's Grand Hotel makes an appearance in the 1950 movie Seven Days to Noon.

Today, the Grand Building is home to a number of business, including restaurants, a cafe, and a bookstore. The current Grand Hotel stands right across.

Bottom image: Google Maps.

1945. Soviet referee Nikolay Latyshev is surrounded by pigeons in front of a fountain at Trafalgar Square. He doesn't seem to mind, and no yellow cards are shown.

The fountain, one of two at the square, dates back to 1845 and was designed by Charles Barry. At the right is a bronze equestrian statue of King George IV, designed by Sir Francis Legatt Chantrey and unveiled two years before the fountains. At the left are a series of steps leading up to the National Gallery, a museum that houses a stunning collection of paintings from the 13th to the 20th centuries, featuring artists from Michelangelo to Monet. General admission is free.

Top image: William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Getty Images. Bottom image: Google Maps.

1945. Arsenal fans line up along the High Road leading up to White Hart Lane for the friendly against Dynamo Moscow. The pub behind them was called Charringtons, after the owners of the land on Tottenham High Road who rented the ground to the club.

Wait - what were Arsenal doing at White Hart Lane? Highbury was an ARP stronghold during WWII, so the team played their home games at the Tottenham ground. The North and South Stand were damaged when the stadium was bombed, and were thus in need of repair. Arsenal returned to Highbury in 1946.

Back to the pub. Though no longer called Charringtons, it still functioned in 2013. For the past 40 years, it was called Valentino's (Rudolph's), after the famous 1920's actor Rudolph Valentino. Since 1999, the road from the pub leading up to the stadium is called Bill Nicholson Way, in honor of the Spurs one-club man who spent a total of 36 years with the club as both a player and a manager.

Unfortunately, the pub is permanently closed and will be demolished as part of Tottenham's Northumberland Development project. The area will feature a new car park.

Part I in a series on the 70th anniversary of Dynamo Moscow's tour of Britain

Football Manager cover art for the ZX81.

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

In a world before free transfers and the back-pass rule, one of the world's most popular football video games was born. Created by Kevin Toms, the first-ever Football Manager, released on the ZX Spectrum in 1982, pioneered the genre of association football management simulation games. The game allows players to be at the helm of a football club and lead it from the fourth to the first division. The manager can, among many things, control the club's finances, participate in a simulated transfer market, and even compete in the FA Cup. Several sequels were released, including Football Manager: World Cup Edition (1990). The series came to an end after Football Manager 3 (1992), which was created without Toms's involvement. That same year, Sports Interactive created Championship Manager. The company split with Eidos, which continued to produce the Championship Manager series, while Sports Interactive revived the Football Manager brand. The current series has been around since 2005.

In 2010, Toms, creator and designer of the original Football Manager, released a game called Kevin Toms Football, which is available through the App store.

He is currently raising money via Kickstarter to rewrite his classic 80's Football Manager for Android and iOS.

You can play the original game on the ZX Spectrum emulator here.

1982: The Year in Context

The original Football Manager was released in 1982. Here are some of the year's most notable events in football and video game history:

The world of football in 1982

- The 1982 FIFA World Cup is won by Italy.
- Aston Villa wins the European Cup (Champions League) after beating Bayern Munich.
- 66 fans lose their lives in the Luzhniki disaster.
- The original New York Cosmos win their 5th NASL championship.
- Petr Cech, Kevin Kuranyi, Victor Valdes, Jermain Defoe, Darijo Srna, Oguchi Onyewu, Landon Donovan, Kaka, and a myriad of other footballers are born.

The world of video games in 1982

- Electronic Arts (EA) is founded.
- The first Star Wars video game, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, is released for the Atari 2600.
- Sega's Zaxxon is the first game to feature isometric graphics.
- Other notable releases: Pac-Man (Atari 2600), Pitfall!, Tron, Donkey Kong Jr.
- Starcade, a TV game show with contestants playing arcade games, debuts on TBS.

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

Photo: GETTY

Dynamo Moscow have an opportunity to repair their back line and sign productive forwards during this summer’s transfer window. The Blue-and-Whites are in luck – there are a number of young talents, both domestic and foreign, who are looking to prove themselves, as well as seasoned professionals who are eager to continue their careers at the top level. But will UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations get in the way?

Read More at RFN

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

Photo: NaGy_Art on Twitter

Although neither manager made changes at half-time, Igor Cherevchenko made sure the back line, especially the center, was solid and confident. Kuban seemed to retain their dominance, with Ignatiev pushing for a brace and Almeida netting in a goal from offside. It took almost an hour into the game for Lokomotiv to take the initiative, but when they did, there was no turning back. Oumar Niasse, who came on for a barely visible Roman Pavlyuchenko, sent the ball past Aleksandr Belenov after a cross from Moubarak Boussoufa. Kuban's key substitution of Ibra for Almeida didn't have the same effect, although Kuchuk's men stormed the opponent's area more often. A slew of missed opportunities from Kuban's set pieces saw a third consecutive Russian Cup final go to extra time.

The first 15-minute half was a sequel for Ibra, who still couldn't finish or get on the end of his teammates' passes, and a surprise from Lokomotiv. Ignatiev conceded a free kick that Kasaev then put in the box, and Boussoufa put in the net. Miranchuk, who came on for Fernandes on the 71st minute, ended Kuban's hopes of bringing the game to a penalty shootout. Cherevchenko's wisely chosen substitutions made the difference and gave Lokomotiv their 8th domestic Cup, their 6th in the modern era, and the first for club president Olga Smorodskaya.

For both teams, placed 7th and 10th in the Russian Premier League, winning the Cup was about more than just lifting the trophy over their heads to the sounds of "We Are the Champions". It was the only chance they had for a spot in next season's UEFA Europa League. Kuban manager Leonid Kuchuk, whose exit from Lokomotiv was laden with controversy, showed great sportsmanship by congratulating his former players. Interim manager and former Lokomotiv player Cherevchenko became the first person to win the Russian Cup as both a player and a manager. Despite Miodrag Bozovic's resignation shortly before the final, Cherevchenko kept the team's spirits alive. How he managed to do that, however, will remain a secret. "If I tell you now, everyone will start winning," he joked.

The teams will play each other again in the Premier League in four days' time, but the game won't carry the character of a rematch. Both are ending the season with a run of poor results and a more than likely change in coaching staff. Few teams can stand the test of change, but the Railroaders will look at the Cup and their ticket to Europe as proof of their resilience. For Miranchuk's team, "the most important victories are still ahead."

2014/15 Russian Cup Final

Lokomotiv Moscow 3-1 Kuban Krasnodar (aet)
Central Stadium, Astrakhan
Attendance: 16,000
Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov

Goals: 0-1 Ignatiev (28), 1-1 Niasse (73), 2-1 Boussoufa (104), 3-1 Al. Miranchuk (111)

Cautions: Tkachev (30), Rabiu (33), Guilherme (34), Pejcinovic (45), Sunjic (72), Samedov (82), Boussoufa (87), Corluka (90+1), Ignatiev (103)

Lokomotiv: Guilherme; Denisov, Pejcinovic, Corluka, Logashov, Shishkin, Fernandes (Al. Miranchuk, 71), Kasaev, Samedov, Boussoufa, Pavlyuchenko (Niasse, 64)

Kuban: Belenov; Armas, Rabiu, Kabore, Sunjic, Almeida (Ibra Balde, 69), Sosnin, Ignatiev, Bugaev, Popov, Tkachev (Bucur, 80)

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

FC Ural vs Dynamo Moscow. Photo: fcdynamo.ru

Fyodor Smolov netted in a late goal at Geolog Stadium in Tyumen to give FC Ural their first win against Dynamo Moscow since 1993, and three more points in their race for survival in the Russian Premier League. “Fyodor is in good psychological and physical shape, and he has craftsmanship,” noted Ural manager Alexander Tarkhanov. Smolov, on loan from Dynamo, has been playing the best season of his professional career. The forward created plenty of reason for unrest in the final third throughout the game and assisted captain Gerson Acevedo’s equalizer going into halftime, all before scoring a game-winning sideways volley from a Vladimir Khozin header on the 86th minute. 

Read more at RFN

by Aleks V | @aleksvee


This season’s race to escape relegation is closer than ever – a one point gap separates each team from the other. As it stands, all of the teams in the bottom four can escape the route to the FNL. Each team has three games remaining, a possible nine points and the chance to either leave the relegation zone or get a second shot at the Premier League via the relegation play-offs.

Read more at RFN

Highlights from the New York Cosmos' game against Ottawa Fury (1:0) at MCU Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY.

by Aleks V | @aleksvee


In summer 2010, Schalke 04 forward Kevin Kuranyi signed a contract with Dynamo Moscow. He had already made a name for himself in Germany playing for Stuttgart and Schalke, and was looking for a new challenge. As a free agent, he could have gone anywhere. Ultimately, he chose the Russian Premier League. Though there was interest from Zenit St Petersburg, who, unlike Dynamo, had already won the league title in the post-Soviet championship, the Moscow club had piqued his interest. Ironically, his first goal for the Blue-and-Whites was in a 1:1 draw against Zenit.

Read More at RFN

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

Spartak Dynamo FC is not your typical football club. The South Dublin side, which plays its home games in Marlay Park, was inspired by two clubs that make up the oldest rivalry in Russian football. 

SDFC currently fields teams in Ireland's Amateur Football League and Leinster Senior League. The club was founded in 1970 by Paul McGowan, who is also the manager, treasurer, a former Spartak Dynamo player, and the father of the Sunday team's captain, Neil McGowan. The father-son duo hold various records at the club, perhaps the most notable of which is Paul McGowan's 45-year managerial career. Few clubs have the same manager for two decades, let alone over 40 years. Fred Everiss spent 46 seasons as secretary-manager at West Bromwich Albion. Jim Davies spent half a century training Waterloo Dock. Paul McGowan has been with Spartak Dynamo from day one; four and a half decades later, he tells how it all began.


There's a lot of speculation as to how the club came about. Was it originally inspired by Spartak Moscow and Dynamo Moscow?

What are the similarities and differences between the AFL and LSL?
The AFL never permitted professional players, whereas at the top level of LSL there are many players who have dropped down from the League of Ireland, who would have been professional. The top level of LSL (Intermediate Divisions) would be close to national league level, and these clubs compete in national competitions, often knocking out League of Ireland teams.

Is there promotion/relegation within the AFL or LSL? If so, have any Spartak Dynamo FC sides ever been promoted/relegated?
Yes, there is. Spartak have been up and down the pyramid and currently reside in the lower reaches. 
It would have to be Messi - the players would be enthralled! 

How does being outside of the transfer market and “big money football” affect the players' approach to the game?

Spartak Dynamo's Sunday team in Feb. 2011. Photo: spartakdynamofc.com

Are you originally from Dublin? How did you get your start in football? 
Yes, I'm from Dublin. I went to University here, work and live here with my wife and daughter. I've played football all my life; ever since I can remember I've never been far from a football.

As a footballer, what influenced your decision to join Spartak Dynamo FC, as opposed to many of the other Irish clubs?
I played school boy football at a good level and had several options when I reached 18. However, my dad, who is both the founder and manager of Spartak, gave me little choice!

How many years have you been playing for SDFC? Do you remember your first match for the Sky Blues?
I joined Spartak in 1996 and have played for them ever since. That makes it more than 18 years! Yes, I remember my first game. I came on as sub in a home match and played really well. I just wanted to get on the pitch and show what I could do. I really enjoyed it.

You play for the Sunday LSL team, right? What's it like wearing the captain's armband? How did you get to that point in your career?
Yes, we've had our ups and downs over the years and at the moment we are rebuilding a team. The standard in our league is pretty poor right now, but we're doing well and have some good players so hopefully we will get promoted and start playing at a better level again.

The captain's armband is fun! It gives me license to be the cranky old guy on the team.

Do you mostly play in one position, or switch around depending on the game?
I'm a midfielder and prefer to play there.

What's a typical training session at SDFC like?
We've a good group of guys and I love training. A few drills, some sprinting and a couple of five-a-sides is usually it.

Does SDFC have a historic rival or a team that's an Achilles' heel?
Not really!

Are there any amusing stories either from training or a particular game?
Too many to mention. There have been some great weekends away.
Aside from its name, what sets Spartak Dynamo FC apart from the other sides in the AFL and LSL?
Are you suggesting our name is unusual?! My dad was a fan of Spartak and Dynamo in the early 1970's when he founded the club. I think all the lads work really hard on making Spartak a welcoming and friendly club. It's why so many people have an association with it that makes my 18 years look short.

Do you follow the club's namesakes, Spartak or Dynamo Moscow? What teams and leagues do you follow?
I do watch out for Spartak results, but I support Manchester United.
Is there a former or current Spartak Dynamo player you look up to for inspiration or base your style of play on? What players from bigger clubs do you look up to?
Barry Crowe. He's a true club legend and was a left footed central midfielder who was a great player. Paul Scholes, Manchester United.

What coach has influenced you the most and helped shape who you are as a player today?
It's got to be my dad! He's been my manager for the last 18 years...

Has there been a memorable game or moment in your career thus far?
There've been a few. I scored four goals in a game once, which was enjoyable, but my most memorable game was a Irish Junior Cup game against a team from Donegal. We travelled up as a team for the weekend, had a great couple of days, and I scored a fantastic goal which got us to penalties, which we won.

What has been the biggest challenge for you as a player?
I've had a lot of injuries, starting off with a cruciate ligament reconstruction when I was 23 and about four or five follow up operations. It has been tough to recover properly each time.

You've got quite a few club awards. What have been the main factors that contributed to your success, and what else do you hope to achieve or improve on?
My dad counts the Player of the Year votes! I'm nearing the end of my career, so at this stage, it's just about having fun and keeping fit.

In part two, Aleks chats with Spartak Dynamo FC founder and manager Paul McGowan.

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

Week 19 of the 2014/15 Russian Premier League will feature one of the biggest fixtures of any season - the Moscow derby between Spartak and Dynamo. The oldest derby in Russian football was first played on June 17, 1923. Coincidentally, it was Dynamo Moscow's debut match. The game saw five goals, plenty of action, and a controversial late spot-kick that gave Spartak's predecessor, Krasnaya Presnya, the victory. To top it all off, the referee, Konstantin Kvashnin, would go on to play for and manage both sides! Needless to say, that game set the stage for a rivalry no lesser than the Manchester derby in England or El Derbi madrileno in Spain.

August 2014: The captains stand by for the coin toss. Photo: Konstantin Rybin

Dynamo and Spartak did not just dominate the Soviet Top League for many years, but also played together as one unit in the All-Union Spartakiad and sometimes traveled abroad representing Moscow in international friendlies. As with other rivalries, there were and still are players who leave one team for the other. Although such a move has long been regarded as betrayal, there is less of a stigma these days, since loyalty to one side for a long period of time is a rarity in modern football. Dynamo defender Vladimir Granat, currently on loan at Rostov, will join Spartak at the end of the season. A handful of managers have been at the helm for both sides. Dynamo's current head coach, Stanislav Cherchesov, played in goal for Spartak and managed the red-and-whites in 2007-2008.

While Dynamo's only domestic silverware since the collapse of the Soviet Union is the 1995 Russian Cup, Spartak were consistently successful at the dawn of post-Soviet football. The Romantsev era saw nine league titles, six of them consecutive, along with two Cup wins and a 1997-98 UEFA Cup semi-final appearance. Their streak began to peter out after Romantsev's exit, however. The club had seven managers in nine seasons, and while they did finish runners-up on five occasions, it's been almost 14 years since their last league title, and almost 12 since they last lifted the Russian Cup.

Dynamo, on the other hand, have not won a championship since 1976. The beginning of their title drought shifted the spotlight to their namesakes in Kiev, whose rivalry with Spartak attained a higher popularity in the 1970's. Spartak and Dynamo Moscow's form in recent years, however, has brought back potential for a resurgence of such games as the nostalgic among us have longed for. In the 2012/13 season, Spartak marked one of their biggest victories over Dynamo by winning four goals to nil. That same season, Dan Petrescu led the blue-and-whites to a 5:1 derby win, a score that they hadn't had against Spartak for 64 years.

Dynamo have yet to beat Spartak since that game. The start of the 2014/15 season marked the 200th match between Spartak and Dynamo, a 2:1 win for the red-and-whites away at Arena Khimki.

For the second season, Dynamo's unbeaten streak was cut short at 18 games as they went down 3:1 to Napoli in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16. Spartak saw their own unbeaten run come to an end - after seven home games without a loss, Yakin's men lost 3:1 to Krasnodar on the 8th of March.

Dynamo go into Sunday's game with the spectre of a European play-off round, while Spartak, free from the burden of other competitions, will be looking to rediscover their home field advantage. A six-point gap separates 7th place Spartak from 3rd place Dynamo. At this point in the season, every victory can have a monumental impact. Spartak's patience with managers is always hanging by a thread, and Dynamo are long overdue for a top three finish. What awaits us this time in the biggest Moscow derby?

Spartak Moscow vs Dynamo Moscow - Fast Facts:
200 games played (72-69-59)
Goals: 281-264

2014/15 RPL - Week 19
Spartak Moscow vs Dynamo Moscow
13:30 MSK (6:30am ET)
Otrkitie Arena
Referee: Aleksei Nikolaev
Suspensions: Kim Kallstrom (Spartak)

* Referee Aleksei Nikolaev has officiated three Spartak-Dynamo derbies (2 draws, 1 Spartak win) in which he gave out 17 yellow cards. In each game, he sent off a player after two bookings (2 Spartak, 1 Dynamo).

Giant Juicy Previews

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

With the second day of the 20th MLS season and the return of the 2014/15 RPL, GoalChatter takes a look at this weekend's action-packed football schedule. All times are in EST.

Saturday March 7

8:00am - RPL - Terek Grozny vs CSKA Moscow
The reigning champions of the Russian Premier League kick off the first RPL match of 2015 on Saturday morning with an away game against 9th placed Terek. Although the team from Grozny poses no threat to overtake the leader board and will probably finish the season mid-table, Leonid Slutskiy's men should be wary of the hosts' defense; Terek have thus far conceded the least number of goals at home in the Premier League. They've also signed defenders and forwards during the transfer window, including former Lokomotiv centre-back Rodolfo. Being away from their usual residence at Akhmat Arena, however, may tinker with their home field advantage. With 11 goals allowed in 7 away games, CSKA will need to focus on getting more clean sheets on the road. Goal difference may play a crucial role in the title race. The Army Men's main weakness, however, is the lack of an experienced player up front after Seydou Doumbia's departure to AS Roma. Will their newly-signed young strikers be up to the challenge?

11:00am - RPL - Zenit St Petersburg vs Ural

Zenit manager Andre Villas-Boas. Photo: Getty Images.

Andre Villas-Boas said he wanted to do for Zenit what Peter the Great did for St. Petersburg, and so far, he's been true to his word. With a 13-2-2 record and a spot in the Europa League Round of 16, Zenit are an unstoppable machine. A home game against relegation-bound Ural is likely to see them pass go and collect 3 points. Neither team has made any key signings, although Artem Dzyuba will be joining Zenit in the summer. Ural's veteran centre-back Solvi Ottesen left for Chinese club Jiangsu Sainty in February. For the visitors, it'll be one of many opportunities to attempt to salvage a spot in the Premier League.

10:30pm - MLS - Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake
Both teams are at a turning point. Portland start the season with injuries and a new keeper in goal after the departure of Donovan Ricketts to Orlando City SC. RSL's squad is a mix of young and experienced players in all positions. Both sides have shown some good football last season, but failed to meet expectations. What will happen this time around?

Sunday March 8

5:30am - RPL - Spartak Moscow vs Krasnodar

Otkritie Arena.

An epic battle between two teams in the race for a European spot. Krasnodar will attempt to break Spartak's unbeaten home record at Otkritie Arena. Adding drama to this fixture is Spartak midfielder Roman Shirokov's loan to the visitors. Although the Red-and-Whites have parted with a slew of key players, including Artem Dzyuba, and failed to replace them, the club has expressed their desire to shift focus on their homegrown players. Krasnodar, meanwhile, have loaned out defender Nikolay Markov and winger Nikita Burmistrov. Right-back Artur Jedrzejczyk is out injured and expected to return in late May. Refereeing may play a vital role - referee Sergey Ivanov is known for giving out bookings and has awarded 6 penalties in 11 games this season.

8:00am - RPL - Dynamo Moscow vs Ufa
Dynamo aim to keep expanding their 17-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. With just two points separating them from 2nd place CSKA, the Blue-and-Whites also have a shot at the silver medals and a Champions League spot. One of the tests for any successful side is whether or not they underestimate a seemingly lesser opponent. Another challenge for Dynamo will be solving their ongoing lack of a clear, consistent centre-forward. Ufa have strengthened their midfield and line of attack during the winter transfer window, and are looking to attain mid-table stability while avoiding the relegation zone.

10:30am - RPL - Rostov vs Lokomotiv Moscow
Bottom-of-the-table Rostov will attempt to regain their form with a new manager in Kurban Berdyev, and a slew of players on loan from bigger sides, including Artem Dzyuba and Sardar Azmoun. Berdyev will be tasked with the club's revival, and his coaching record shows he is up to the job. He made 30 appearances and scored 5 goals for Rostov as a player, and saw a successful 12-year coaching stint at Rubin Kazan that resulted in two Premier League titles, a Cup and two Super Cups. Rostov have been doing considerably better at home than away, so the support of their fans may help boost morale. Lokomotiv have one of the best defenses in the league and are just four points shy of 2nd place. They're always an ambitious side, so Rostov need to be careful to not allow goals.

4:00pm - MLS - Orlando City SC vs New York City FC

Orlando City supporters. Photo: orlandocitysc.com

Two new MLS teams face off in their inaugural season. The Big Apple has its first local football club since the New York Cosmos of the 70's and 80's, with a roster featuring a slew of familiar MLS players as well as Spanish forward David Villa. There's also a familiar coach in Jason Kreis, who led Real Salt Lake to their first MLS Cup. For Orlando, the game marks Florida's return to MLS after the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny were disbanded in 2001. Expectations are high for both sides.

6:00pm - MLS - Sporting Kansas City vs New York Red Bulls
The teams head into the new season with some big changes. For SKC, that includes the defense and the departure of Aurelien Collin and C.J. Sapong. For the Red Bulls, a new head coach after Mike Petke's successful run, and the absence of Thierry Henry. There's only one word to describe this fixture: uncertainty.

8:30pm - MLS - Seattle Sounders vs New England Revolution
Changes in defense for the Sounders with the departure of DeAndre Yedlin and Djimi Traore may shake things up in this fixture. They've signed veteran right- and centre-back Tyrone Mears, who played for English clubs like Bolton, Preston and Burnley, and 21-year-old left-back Andres Correa, who shone in the 2013 U-20 South American Championships. One of the main questions in this match-up will be Juan Agudelo's return to the Revs. Will he be able to return to the top of his game that he wowed us with in his early appearances for the USMNT?

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

The 2014-15 UEFA Europa League knockout round begins on Thursday, February 19th, and so far, it looks like it'll be a thriller. Most of the teams in the first leg of the Round of 32 will be meeting their opponents for the first time. Belgian Pro League champions RSC Anderlecht will host the group stage stars FC Dynamo Moscow at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium. Kick-off is at 21:05 CT (3:05pm EST).

Anderlecht

The Belgian club comes out of an unlucky Champions League group, where they faced the likes of Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and Galatasaray. With that in mind, they still managed to draw in one leg against each opponent. Anderlecht have been shaky at home in European competition, losing six games in a row before their 2-0 win against Galatasaray. Their domestic record tells a different story. They recently made the final of the Belgian Cup and are set to face Brugge in March. Their last Cup win was in the 2007-08 season.

Key Players

Mitrovic, Vanden Borre, and Mmemba, who all scored two goals in the UCL group stage, will be instrumental in the attack. Steven Defour will bring his experience in UEFA competition, and will likely make his 50th appearance in a UEFA club competition.

Record vs Clubs From Opponent's Country

Anderlecht last faced a Russian club in Europe in 2012, when they beat Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 in the 2nd leg of the Champions League group stage. They are 5-1-6 in Europe against Russian sides with 21 goals for and against, so a game against Dynamo can either make or break their hopes for the next round.

Dynamo Moscow

Dynamo are unbeaten in their last 15 games in all competitions, and recently took home The Atlantic Cup, ending a trophy drought of nearly 20 years. The blue-and-whites are also unbeaten in this season's Europa League from the third qualifying round onward.

Key Players

Mathieu Valbuena never ceases to amaze; he's a universal player who can be instrumental anywhere on the pitch. Be on the lookout for his set piece deliveries. Alex Buttner has stepped up his game, contributing both in the defense and attack. William Vainqueur played alongside Anderlecht's Defour and Cyriac while at R. Standard de Liege.

Record vs Clubs From Opponent's Country

Dynamo haven't played a Belgian club in an official match since 1997, when they won 3-2 against KRC Genk in the group stage of the UEFA Intertoto Cup. They've lost three of their seven games in Europe against Belgian sides, with a goal difference of 8-10.

The Managers

Neither Besnik Hasi or Stanislav Cherchesov have won a European cup as a player or manager.

In his first ever season as head coach, Hasi won the Belgian Pro League and Super Cup while leading Anderlecht to their first UEFA knockout stage in 3 seasons.

Cherchesov led Dynamo to the UEL group stage and knockout round for the first time in the club's history. In the Russian Premier League, he established Dynamo as a top 4 contender.

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

Although the Round of 32 in this season's UEFA Europa League will feature mostly new match-ups, three of the 16 games that will be played on Thursday, February 19 will be a blast from the recent - and distant - past.

All games below kick off at 21:05 CET (3:05pm ET).

Villarreal - Red Bull Salzburg

Salzburg's Andreas Ulmer in 2009. Photo: weltfussball.at

The only sides in the Round of 32 to have previously met in the tournament, Villarreal and Salzburg last clashed in the group stage of the 2009-10 Europa League. Salzburg won 3-0 on aggregate, but both teams went on to the Round of 32. One Villarreal and three Salzburg players remain from the sides that played the 2nd leg that year. Villarreal midfielder Bruno Soriano has an unspecified injury. Salzburg defenders Christian Schwegler and Andreas Ulmer are fit, while Christoph Leitgeb is doubtful due to a knee injury.

Liverpool - Besiktas 
Liverpool last met Besiktas in the 2007-08 Champions League group stage, winning 9-2 on aggregate. After losing the first leg 2-1, the Reds, under then-coach Rafael Benitez, pummeled Besiktas 8-0 at Anfield. The loss remains not only Besiktas' biggest European defeat, but the biggest loss in any stage of the Champions League. Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is the only returning player from that historic match.

Liverpool went on to the semi-finals of the 2007-08 UCL, losing 4-3 to Chelsea in extra time.



Celtic - Inter
Perhaps one of the biggest match-ups in the Round of 32, Celtic and Inter have waited over four decades to face each other in European competition. They'll play the first leg at Celtic Park, which hosted the semi-final of the 1971-72 European Cup (Champions League), a showdown that ended in a victory for Inter after a penalty shootout. The Italians went on to lose 2-0 to Ajax in the final. Celtic beat Inter at the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon to win the final of the 1966-67 European Cup, becoming the first British club to win the tournament.

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

Photo: desporto.sapo.pt

It's all come down to a classic clash between the favorites and the underdog. In their first ever meeting, Dynamo Moscow and Orebro SK will play for the 2015 Atlantic Cup on Saturday at 17.30 MSK (9:30am EST). Many are quick to look over a friendly tournament, even one with a trophy. For Dynamo and Orebro, however, it's an opportunity to make history. Dynamo last won a trophy in 1995, taking home the Russian Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout against FC Rotor. The blue-and-whites have also won a friendly tournament, taking home the Ciutat de Barcelona trophy in 1976. Orebro, a club that was founded in 1908, have yet to win a Cup tournament. The closest they came was the 1987-88 Svenska Cupen (Swedish Cup), in which they were runners-up to IFK Norrkoping. Unlike Dynamo, who are newcomers to the tournament, Orebro are in the running for a second year in a row. Last year's Atlantic Cup was bittersweet for the Swedes, who finished second to FC Copenhagen on goal difference. Orebro's Alexander Axen will try leading the team to a different result this time around, all the while looking for his first silverware as head coach. It won't be an easy task, however. Dynamo have a 13-game unbeaten streak in all competitions stemming from last November. Axen won't be alone in his quest - Dynamo's Stanislav Cherchesov has yet to win a trophy in his managerial career. Tomorrow's game will see one manager lifting their club's trophy drought while adding a prestigious award to his resume. The Estadio Algarve awaits.

Road to the Final

Dynamo Moscow - Wins over Copenhagen (2:1) and Goteborg (2:0).


Orebro SK - Defeated Midtjylland in penalties. Won 2:1 against Brondby IF.


Record vs Clubs From Opponent's Country
Dynamo Moscow vs Swedish clubs: +8=2-1 | GD: 36-11
Orebro SK vs Russian clubs: -2 | GD: 1-6