Three of the Liga MX quarterfinalists have U.S. players in their ranks, including Santos' Jorge Villafana, who's aiming to become the third player in history to win MLS Cup and a Liga MX title. Tijuana Xolos, with the largest contingent of Americans, enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed.

The good news is that each of FIFA's six confederations is required to be represented by at least one woman on the new FIFA council -- 37 members in all -- an improvement from the FIFA executive committee, which had no female representation until 2013. The bad news: Moya Dodd, one of the brightest male or female FIFA executives, lost in Monday's AFC election.

Thirty years ago next week, two disparate dimensions joined when playoffs were first used to determine promotion places within the English League. Much criticism rained upon those officials changed the promotion system. And still there are critics who bemoan a system by which a team can accrue fewer points than a rival yet still move up at its expense via the playoffs.

Is there a correlation between the business success of a professional soccer league and the national team of that country? You can make numerous speculations about the question, but I would rather base it on some data.

Juventus got two goals from Gonzalo Higuain, two great assists from right back Dani Alves and outstanding defensive performances from Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and surprise starter Andrea Barzagli in a three-man backline, but you have to give a sentimental nod to Gianluigi Buffon on a night he shut out high-scoring Monaco, 2-0, in his 100th Champions League appearance for Juve.

American striker Bobby Wood's last two performances for struggling Hamburg SV have been dismal, but he's been hampered by a knee injury, is in the midst of $13 million transfer speculation, and was involved in a social media mishap (not his fault).

Many soccer fans of a certain age will have remembered Sheikh Ahmad's father, at the center of one of the most bizarre scenes in the history of the World Cup. Only those who have followed soccer politics in recent years will know Sheikh Ahmad himself, perhaps recognizing him for his long hair.