Sorry we've been out of touch for a while, but it has become increasingly difficult for Bill and I to coordinate on recording the podcast. We still plan to put out podcasts this soccer season, just not on as regular of a basis as before. So please keep checking the web site, and stay subscribed to our RSS feed (if you're not subscribed, you can sign up by clicking on the link at right) for new content.

In soccer news, we were happy to see the US national team's qualification for World Cup '10, but shocked and saddened by news of rising star Charlie Davies' car accident and the serious injuries he sustained. While a great loss for the team, obviously this event transcends soccer and we hope Charlie is able to recover successfully and get his life back on track.

I hope you're enjoying the Champions League and Europa League seasons, and looking forward to the WC playoffs next month!

--Scott and Bill

Soccernet.com's Jeff Carlisle joins Scott to discuss the US national team's down-then-up performance in last month's Confederations Cup in South Africa. We go over keys to the US turnaround, and the key roles of Charlie Davies, Landon Donovan and Jonathon Spector.

We also look ahead to the resumption of World Cup qualifying, and how the US can keep its Confed Cup momentum going against archrival Mexico.

You can send your thoughts to Soccer Champions by writing to scpodcast@gmail.com.

Congrats to Barcelona, 2008-09 Champions League winners! Scott and Bill discuss the final from Rome, and chances for each finalist to get back there next season.

Plus a look and which teams from major European domestic leagues have qualified for European play next season, and who might make a run in next years Champions League, and the first iteration of the Europa League (formerly UEFA Cup).

Enjoy the summer and stay tuned to Soccer Champions!

Scott and Bill look back on the Champions League semifinals. Plus, it's all come down to this. Who will win in Rome? Scott and Bill give their thoughts, and what to expect from Barcelona and Manchester United.

Also a look ahead to the UEFA Cup final in Istanbul, and domestic leagues you might want to check out as the season winds down.

As always, e-mail us at scpodcast@gmail.com with questions and/or comments!

Barcelona-Chelsea
1st leg result (@Barcelona): 0-0
Can anyone slow down Barca’s lethal offensive attack? This was the big question coming into this tie and before the 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp I thought the answer was “not likely.” But Chelsea proved me wrong, shutting down Barca’s sharpshooters and holding on for a crucial away draw. Was Chelsea’s play too conservative? Was it dull to watch? Maybe and probably, but they got the result they wanted.

2nd leg preview (@Chelsea)
Iniesta is a key architect for Barca in midfield, and he must do better in the second leg for his team to succeed. Chelsea was (somehow) able to contain Messi for most of the first leg, and the Blaugrana will need a better performance from him next time as well.

Chelsea’s defensive performance from leg 1 is to be praised for sure, but can they do it twice in a row? It’s hard to believe they can, which means Chelsea’s offense will need to step it up. I wonder if Hiddink will consider putting Nicolas Anelka into the starting lineup. He seemed to energize the Blues after coming on in the quarterfinals against Liverpool, and teaming him with Drogba upfront seems like the recipe for success.

Barca’s defense, widely considered the team’s Achilles heel on a good day, suffered a double blow in leg 1 when they lost Rafa Marquez to an injury and then his replacement Carlos Puyol picked up a yellow card and a suspension for leg 2.

Prediction
I would not have said this before the first leg, but with Barca’s battered backfield and Chelsea only needing a win at home (any draw would give Barca the edge on away goals) I’m going with Chelsea to advance.

Man United-Arsenal
1st leg result (@Man U): 1-0 win for Man U
Arsenal fans should be thanking their lucky stars—and keeper Manuel Almunia—that their team is only down by a goal. Man U dominated for virtually the entire game, and only some spectacular saves from the Arsenal keeper prevented a larger deficit for the Gunners.

2nd leg preview (@Arsenal)
In my opinion great move by Sir Alex starting the dangerous Carlos Tevez. He gives United yet another weapon that needs to be closely monitored, which may end up freeing Rooney or C. Ronaldo. Tevez ran all over the Arsenal defense—especially Kieran Gibbs on the left, and Nasri looked lost in midfield; both will need to do better in leg 2 if Arsenal are to have any chance—and I think it would be foolish to leave him on the bench. Though Berbatov did well coming on as a sub, so swapping him for Tevez isn’t a bad option to have.

The Man U defense did well to contain Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Cesc Fabregas. If those three don’t make something happen at the Emirates, Man U will ease into the final.

Prediction
Pardon the pun, but I think Arsenal is outgunned in this tie. Without an away goal in the bank, they would need to win by 2 goals to advance outright (a 1-0 Arsenal win would force extra time). Given this difficult task and Man U’s dominance in leg 1, I’m going with Man U to move on to the final.

Champions League Final Forecast
Chelsea-Man United in Rome
Another all-English final, and a rematch of last year’s championship! Chelsea will likely be smarting after last year’s penalty shootout loss (and John Terry’s breakdown), while United is still on a quest for a quadruple.

Early prediction: Chelsea gets revenge and wins its first Champions League title. Regardless of the state of the oil market, Roman Abramovich is all smiles. Enjoy the second legs!

Scott and Bill discuss the Elite 8 in the Champions League, including Liverpool's resurgence and Bayern Munich's big test. In the UEFA Cup's last 8, will Man City survive, and is Udinese movin' on up?

Plus World Cup 2010 qualifying discussion of UEFA (Europe), CONCACAF (N. America), and CONMEBOL (S. America) regions.

Also check out Dan on Tap's podcast, Life on Tap! And write to us at scpodcast@gmail.com

Soccer Champions is back! We review the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16, and the UEFA Cup Round of 32, and who we think might advance in each tournament.

Questions or comments? E-mail us at scpodcast@gmail.com