Hooray For Hollywood

Well, who knew that allowing a reporter to embed himself with your team could pay off so handsomely? Variety magazine has reported that Universal Pictures has written a check for $3M acquire the rights to make a feature film about the Fugees soccer club. The studio has bought the rights to Warren St. John's New York Times article, he's currently writing a book based on his article about the team of international refugees and it's Jordanian coach.

The best part of the deal is that Universal has agreed to spend $500,000 to build the team a soccer field. If you remember the story, you'll recall that the youth team, made up of refugee children, weren't allowed to practice in a park that had grass. The article details their fight to play at the park instead of a dusty field that doesn't allow them to practice at full speed.

After reading this article last week, it made me wonder if there were other such programs in the United States. After a little searching, I found this article about a refugee community in Utica, NY. [Variety, World Press Review]

In other eye-numbing news:

• Isn't it a fun to see gazillionares lose their shit when their empires are threatened? Milan's bigshot, Silvio Berlusconi, isn't having it. He claims that new legislation will cut into his profits by 25%, while at the same time not affecting the real villain, a well known tycoon from Australia. Whatever the outcome, Berlusconi seems to have found an ally. [ANSA]
• The Gaffer's got some FA Cup news. He also gives us the lowdown on the BBC's coverage, both on TV and the internet. [EPL Talk]
• More YouTube madness. [SoccerBlog]

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This is what I'll be keeping on eye on through Sunday:

Wednesday
Arsenal v. Tottenham
2pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
This English league cup semifinal second-leg match has all the makings of a barnburner.

Chelsea v. Blackburn
2:30pm ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
Anything but three points is unacceptable.

Manchester United v. Watford
7pm ET, Same Day Delay
Setanta Sports USA
Same goes for the Red Devils.

Saturday
Liverpool v. Everton
7:40am ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
Easily one of the best matches of the week. Do you think that Reina still has nightmares over their first meeting earlier in the season?

Charlton v. Chelsea
9:55am ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
Alan Pardew's side couldn't possibly take points off of Chelsea, could they?

Fulham v. Newcastle United
9:55am ET, LIVE
Setanta Xtra (DirecTV Channel 670)
Let's see how many American field players we can get onto the pitch at the same time.

Valencia v. Atletico de Madrid
4pm ET, LIVE
GolTV
The game of the week in Spain, fourth-place Valencia are even with the capital side on points and lead them on goal difference.

Sunday
Ajax v. Feyenoord
6am ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
Two of the Big Three meet in Amsterdam, Erwin Koeman's team could create some sweaty palms at Ajax and AZ Alkmaar if they can pick up all three points.

Tottenham v. Manchester United
11am ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
Another tough road game for the league leaders, let's see if they learned anything from their meltdown at the Emirates.

Werder Bremen v. Schalke 04
11am ET, LIVE
GolTV
Top of the table clash in Germany. When was the last time the top two played each other and one of the teams wasn't Bayern Munich?

Inter v. Roma
2:30pm ET, LIVE
GolTV / RAI International
Bookmakers are already paying out on Inter winning the Serie A title following their victory last weekend. A win against second-place Roma would extend Inter's win-streak to 15 matches.

Marseille v. Paris Saint-Germain
2:55pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
If you like to see animosity with a French accent, tune into this one. PSG dropped all three points to their rivals in their first meeting of the season.

As always, check your local listings for dates and times in your area.

-ac