Here's your complete list of fixtures for the third round — or, as most people consider it, the first round that MATTERS — of the FA Cup, courtesy of EPL Talk.

American goalkeeper Brad Friedel of Aston Villa made a record 167th consecutive Premier League appearance Saturday against Fulham.

The Guardian's Daniel Taylor interviews Viv Anderson, who, 30 years ago this weekend, became the first black man to play for the England national team. Good reading.

Today’s my birthday, so I’m taking it easy for the rest of the weekend. However, I do have a birthday wish for next year:
One competitive NFL game on Thanksgiving. Just one. Please. That’s all I ask, because I didn’t need all that Turkey to put me to sleep yesterday. The only football worth watching yesterday [...]

The Republic of Ireland U19 squad, under manager Sean McCaffrey, prepared for the UEFA qualifying competition for the 2009 Championship by hosting a new invitation competition in the Summer of 2008. The competition was held in the Midlands, in Athlone and Longford and competing with Ireland were Spain, Ukraine and Portugal. Spain were winners with a 100% record.

You know what’s funny about this video featuring Kaká displaying his sublime skills? It looks like it should be an ad for something, yet I don’t see a logo on there anywhere. It’s kind of the opposite of this video, which seems far more staged and, in a way, far less likely.
(Spotted on 101 Great [...]

France 2-0 Republic of Ireland Irish U19 manager, Sean McCaffrey today hailed his players for a tough, spirited performance after his side were defeated by France with two late goals in the final game of the UEFA Championship, first qualifying phase. As both sides had already sealed their passage to the next round, the prize at stake was top spot in group 4 coupled with a 1st seed place in the elite qualifying phase draw which takes place next week.

Republic of Ireland International midfielder Darron Gibson made his UEFA Champions League debut for Manchester United on Wednesday night in their scoreless draw away to Villarreal. The four-times capped 21-year old was introduced for the final ten minutes as a substitute at the El Madrigal Stadium.

Here’s the video of Neil Rackers’ fair catch free kick last Sunday. You can tell by the look on the face of Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt that he’s a little too self-satisfied with being a rulebook anorak.
I tell you what, though. I’d love to see Rhys Lloyd try this once…

The St. Kilda Saints have decided to take a pass on Ben Cousins, which means his AFL career could be over. Does he have a future as an NFL punter? Stay tuned…

The Republic of Ireland U19 team conclude the first qualifying phase of the UEFA Championship against France tomorrow and even though both teams have already ensured their place in the next round, top spot of group 4 and a place in the next round as top seeds is up for grabs. Irish boss, McCaffrey has challenged his team to finish the qualifying phase on a high note against one of Europe’s strongest sides.

When a story shows up on both Deadspin and Ars Technica on the same day, it just has to get some attention here. Because I’m a dork, you see…
Next week, a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders will be broadcast live in 3-D to theaters in Los Angeles, New York and [...]

In lieu of actual posting today, I’m just going to direct you to these sites…
The Calgary Stampeders won the Grey Cup yesterday. That’s about all I can tell you about that, as I was too depressed to watch any more football after seeing the Carolina Panthers stink up the join in Atlanta. (Moron that later.)
The [...]

…but it appears a somewhat intelligent debate about NFL game strategy is starting to emerge in these FanHouse comments.
I know. It’s a shock to us all, really.

Republic of Ireland 1-0 Liechtenstein Sean McCaffrey’s Irish U19 side today qualified for the elite qualifying phase of the UEFA Championship’s but they were made to work hard for the victory against a very defensive Liechtenstein team with Chelsea’s Conor Clifford’s strike in the 84th minute proving to be the difference between the two teams.

Canada.com is reporting that the Cleveland City Stars, who won the USL-2 title last season, are moving up to USL-1 in 2009. It’s as if there’s promotion and relegation in American soccer. Who knew?
So with the Seattle Sounders moving to MLS and the Atlanta Silverbacks suspending operations, the Cleveland City Stars and the Austin Aztex [...]

Let’s compare, shall we? First, the Corinthians v. Avai dust-up in Brazil:

Next, Scotland v. Fiji turns into a boxing match at the Rugby League World Cup:

The difference? For one, the soccer fight dragged on for a little while, and all sorts of side skirmishes broke out, whereas the rugby fight, while clearly fiercer, ended quckly, [...]

Peamout Utd 1-2 St. Francis. There was hgh drama as St. Francis came from behind to beat local Dublin rivals at Richmond Park in the FAI Umbro Women’s Cup final. Mary Waldron clinched the trophy for the Saints with a penalty in stoppage time after Sharon Cullen had earlier cancelled out Peamount’s opener through Stacey McGlone.

Last spring, U.S. men’s national team boss Bob Bradley was scheduling a simulated “group of death” for his squad. This year, Bradley doesn’t have to worry about that. FIFA’s already done it for him.
Today’s Confederations Cup draw put Italy, Brazil and Egypt in Group B with the U.S.A. Group A? Spain, Iraq, New Zealand and [...]