Can't wait until the knockout rounds of the Champions League and UEFA Cup in February? Preview them now with Scott and Bill! For our last show of 2006, we look at upcoming matchups in both competitions.

Also, how will Euro 2012 look different from the '08 version? And we answer some questions about classic matches and up-and-coming players from Dan on Tap. Happy Holidays!

Dan on Tap's podcast:
Life on Tap

Time to take stock of the Champions League, and review the final group stage matches. We discuss a brilliant Ronaldinho strike, a particularly exciting match between Hamburg and CSKA Moscow, Manchester United getting a sense of deja vu vs. Benfica, and a famous win for little Lille against the goliath known as AC Milan.

Also, what happened in the search for the next coach of the US men's national team!?! It seemed as if Jurgen Klinsmann was signed, sealed, and delivered, and then out of the blue, the new coach is introduced, and it's...Bob Bradley!?!? Scott and Bill dissect the decision.

Well, unfortunately, for Bill and Scott, our national team coach for US men's soccer dream is over. Yesterday it came to light that Jurgen Klinsmann would not, in fact, be named as the coach after failing to agree on terms with the US Soccer Federation.  :-(

Later yesterday, an unnamed source commented to ESPN.com that Bob Bradley, currently the manager of MLS squad Chivas USA, will be officially named the nat'l team coach today. But the appointment is only an interim one--apparantly ANOTHER search for a permanent coach will resume next summer. So it's unclear whether or not Bradley will be coach of the team at either the Gold Cup or Copa America, though he could be considered a candidate for the permanent post. Confusing enough!?

So where did this choice come from? Bradley wasn't even considered a likely candidate for head coach by the popular press. Sometimes the ineptitude of our soccer federation is startling. You better believe we'll be talking about this on an upcoming show!!

Will Bill and Scott's prayers be answered!? According to multiple reports from both sides of the Atlantic, Jurgen Klinsmann is set to become the next head coach of the US national team.

The only problem? A US Soccer Federation source told ESPN today that no decision has been made and no deal has been reached as of yet.

US national team defender Steve Cherundolo is among those saying that it's a done deal, and Klinsmann is the choice. He is certainly our choice. Heck, the German maestro even has Pele's seal of approval!

But adding further intrigue to this situation, a Spanish language newspaper based in Los Angeles ran a story in mid-November stating that former Argentina manager Jose Pekerman had already signed a contract, and would soon be introduced as the coach.

In any case, Team USA has already scheduled a friendly against Denmark on Jan. 20, so let's just hope they have it figured out by then.

Scott and Bill look at every Champions League group as we head into the last matchday of the group stage! Who will advance? Who will reach the UEFA Cup? And whose European season is over? Tune in to find out!

Plus, we review where things stand in the UEFA Cup, discuss a startling incident from Paris, look back at the MLS Cup--the USA domestic league championship game--and, finally, dole out some career advice for Freddy Adu.

This week is the last we'll see of the Champions League until February, so enjoy it while it lasts!

Any suggestions for topics you want us to cover during the winter break? E-mail them to scpodcast@gmail.com.

Links:
Life on Tap