Editor’s Note: Geoff Reid appears on WVHooligan.com every Monday with his take on the game. He returns today to preview the second leg of Champions League matches this week. As always feel free to leave Geoff your comments below.

FC Bayern Munich (GER) vs FC Barcelona (ESP) at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, FC Barcelona leads 4-0 on aggregate

I think it’s fair to say my prediction for this tie is completely out the window because it’s now anything but tight and the Catalans have a more then comfortable lead. Kilinsmann, who will be out of a job by the summer recently said its important to play for pride. Inside the dressing room he will be reminding his players about the AC Milan and Deportivo La Coruna tie earlier this decade at the same stage of the tournament when the Italians beat the northern Spaniards 4-1 at the San Siro only for Deportivo to win the second leg 4-0 at the Riazor and win 5-4 on aggregate. I can’t see that happening again and although I think Bayern will get some goals, it ultimately won’t be enough and Barcelona just simply have too much quality throughout and they proved that at the Camp Nou last week. The Bavarians defense got exposed too often last week and at least that part of my prediction was correct!

Chelsea FC (ENG) vs Liverpool FC (ENG) at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, Chelsea FC leads 3-1 on aggregate

I was lost for words when my beloved Reds got beat at what’s become our European fortress in L4 and conceding three goals at home is unheard of these days. I did predict Chelsea would win the tie because they had the advantage of hosting the second leg and obviously the first leg result has not changed that.

I am an optimist but also a realist and I put those two words into theory when thinking about this match. The Merseysiders needs to score three away goals at least. Tough job. However, after seeing Bolton do it this past weekend gives me hope and with the Londoners having captain John Terry suspended gives me even more hope. As a Liverpool fan I am officially in the same mindset I was in at half time of the 2005 final vs AC Milan: just go out and give it your best shot and don’t get embarrassed or get back into it quickly and see what happens. Still though Chelsea will get through and meet the Catalan giants in the semi-finals and the club should do whatever they can to keep Guus Hiddink because is a winner.

On a personal note UEFA should be congratulated for making sure this tie is not played on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on April 15th, 1989. I didn’t know any of the 96 that lost their lives on that tragic day, but as a fellow red and ultimately more importantly fellow fan and human being it’s important we pay the utmost respect to the families that lost loved ones and UEFA made that possible.

Arsenal FC (ENG) vs Villarreal CF (ESP) at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, teams level 1-1 on aggregate

After the draw in the Mediterranean coast this one is still tight to call. To add to the Gunners hosting the second leg, Marcos Senna is now not available due to an injury sustained at the weekend which makes things 10 times harder for Pellegrini’s men. As mentioned before the first leg, Adebayor is back in full form and even though I like and admire Villarreal as a team and a club they have ultimately run their course this season and should now concentrate on getting into next seasons competition. Arsenal have all but secured their spot in next seasons tournament, so they will now be fully focused on winning this years tournament.

FC Porto (POR) vs Manchester United FC (ENG) at the Estadio Do Drago on Wednesday, teams level 2-2 on aggregate

All of a sudden, this tie has become the most interesting one as far as neutrals are concerned. Porto did themselves a huge favor by getting two away goals in the first leg and if you’re a Porto fan you have to somewhat fancy your chances in this tie.

I still like United to get through because they are very experienced, been through this sort of thing before and come good. They can score goals anywhere even though their former invincible defense now has big holes that have been exposed in recent weeks. You also just have a feeling Cristiano Ronaldo will be up for this one after Sir Alex Ferguson gave him a talking to and coming back to Portugal he’ll want to do well.

So my picks are still the same: Arsenal vs Manchester United and Barcelona vs Chelsea. It remains to be seen whether they will still be correct and of course I hold out hope that one of my picks will be wrong. Keep an eye on the Porto/United tie folks, this one will be interesting.

Coming back to this side of the Atlantic, the Puerto Rico Islanders lost a heartbreaker in Mexico City last week. How was it that the away goals rule doesn’t count in extra time in CONCACAF? It does count in UEFA competition and that should be the same since the CONCACAF version is based off of the UEFA version.

Editor’s Note: Geoff Reid appears on WVH every week. Today he is stepping out of the MLS box and is previewing the UEFA Champsions League. Feel free to post your comments to Geoff below.

With the last eight teams in Europe locking horns this week I thought it would be appropriate to throw my predictions out there. Before I do, I will mention firstly I am as big of a Liverpool fan as you can get so if I at all sound bias I apologize. I like to think I am one of the most moderate football/soccer fans around so I’ll try my best to give my opinion right down the middle. As always if you agree or disagree with my thoughts please feel free to leave comments.

Villarreal CF (ESP) vs Arsenal FC (ENG): First Leg at Estadio El Madrigal on the 7th, Second Leg at The Emirates Stadium on the 15th

This is a tough one to call because both sides are in about the same position in there respective leagues. The interesting stories going into this tie is how big of a role will gunners old guy Robert Pires play, Villarreal’s mission to revenge their semi final loss to Arsenal in 2006 and both clubs are out of their domestic title races so while securing qualification for next seasons competition is a must financially as well as for bragging rights, this represents their best chance of silverware.

Most of the Arsenal team that started the final in 2006 against FC Barcelona have moved on, but a good chunk of the yellow submarine’s side is still there so you can count on players such as Marcos Senna will be fired up more then most. A massive decider in Europe whether it’s the Champions League, UEFA Cup or the old Cup Winners Cup is where the second leg will be held.

I don’t think that the Emirates Stadium is as intimidating as Highbury used to be but my head is with Arsenal on this one, however I will not be surprised if Villarreal pull this one off. It’s really a toss of the coin for this tie. The gunners have Adebayor healthy again and in form which will decide this tie.

Manchester United FC (ENG) vs FC Porto (POR): First Leg at Old Trafford on the 7th, Second Leg at the Estadio do Drago on the 15th

While the other three ties are harder to judge who will go through to the semi-finals, this one is not necessarily easier to predict the score, but the outcome is one most will agree on. Unless you’re the most die hard and optimistic Porto fan, I think the neutrals will all favor United.

Players such as Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes can come out and join their manager in saying 2004 is not on the minds of the players for various reasons, but you have to think that in some way, the players that were at United when Jose Mourinho’s Porto knocked United out at Old Trafford in the last minute will want to put the ghosts that haunt them away for good of that famous night. Player for player this time around, United are far more superior and defending Champions at that. The second leg may have a bit of good luck on Porto’s side since they will host it. When these teams met in 2004, a big part of Porto’s lineup was a good chunk of the Portuguese national team. Make no mistake about it, United will win this tie, but I do think it will be a lot closer then people may think just because the second leg will be at the Estadio do Drago.

FC Barcelona (ESP) vs FC Bayern Munich (GER): First Leg at Camp Nou on the 8th, Second Leg at the Allianz Arena on the 14th

Just like the Villarreal vs Arsenal tie, this one is tight to call. A lot of folks will think the Catalans have this wrapped up, especially after seeing Bayern get thrashed 5-1 this past weekend against Wolfsburg. However, I think these ties will bring the best out of the Bavarians and to be honest, as a professional, you don’t need any extra motivation to play in the Champions League at this stage with a chance of winning the tournament.

I feel Bayern’s defense it their biggest let down. Michael Rensing, a very fine goalkeeper, doesn’t have the same presence as Oliver Kahn did and that is massive shoes to fill. Lucio has too much work to do to compensate for the mistakes of Demichelis and van Buyten on an ordinary day let alone the prospect of facing Messi, Henry, Eto, Xavi Hernandez, Iniesta, and Danny Alves coming at you. I think we’ll see a high scoring affair in this one. I look forward seeing Frank Ribery, Luca Toni and Miroslave Klose going against the Barcelona back four and the weak link is undoubtedly Rafa Marquez so be sure Jurgen Klinsmann will look to exploit that. Also, Ribery does not get enough praise and he is just as good as Messi, Kaka and Ronaldo. In a high scoring affair and the most entertaining tie of the round, the Catalans will prevail.

Editor’s Note: WVH is a Bayern fan, but he’s with Geoff on this one…Bayern has looked very weak defensively lately and you just can’t go into a match with a poor defense when a club has a Henry, Messi and other waiting. But to be more honest WVH cares a little more about the next pairing as he’s a bigger Blues fan than Bayern.

Liverpool FC (ENG) vs Chelsea FC (ENG): First Leg at Anfield on the 8th, Second Leg at Stamford Bridge on the 14th

Yawn. For the fifth time in five years these two sides meet and it will be the way it always is: tight, narrow affairs and don’t be surprised if it goes to penalties or the tie being decided on away goals. Unless you’re a red or a blue, this tie won’t be very entertaining. The interesting fact regarding these two clubs is the one who’s hosted the second leg has moved onto the next round in the knock out rounds (the second year they were both drawn in the same group).

I think with the second leg being in west London, that should give Chelsea the advantage. However, Liverpool have beaten Chelsea twice already this season, once at the Bridge. That was before Guus Hiddink became caretaker manager and he is one of the best and so is Rafael Benitez. While I think Phil Scolari was a top manager, Hiddink has given a new lease of life to Chelsea and because the second leg at home for the Blues, I think that will be the ultimate difference. If it would have been at Anfield I’d be picking Liverpool.

So my semi-final picks are: Arsenal vs Manchester United and Barcelona vs Chelsea. They’ll probably be completely wrong because predictions never pan out and that’s the beauty of this sport. It’s why this is the best sport in the world. And stepping back on this side of the pond, it’s also important that we all get behind the Puerto Rico Islanders this week in their quest to gun down Cruz Azul. How amazing would it be that the Islanders from USL-1 would face off against the European Champions in January?

Altidore was introduced today as Villarreal’s newest signing. Altidore agreed to terms on a six-year contract with Villarreal. No other real news to report on this either, just some photos of the day. The fans seem excited with him, and so should all of us.

According to sources, the fee is $8 million with a sell-on clause and performance bonuses that could increase the fee to $10 million.

The sale shatters the old record for largest transfer of an MLS player, which was set when Clint Dempsey went from the New England Revolution to Fulham after the 2006 season.

We all knew this transfer would shatter any previous fee, and now that the league has agreed to it we will wait and see what all comes next as it cannot become official until July 1, when the European transfer window opens.

Its a good move for Jozy. Let’s face it, the kid is a dreamer and this is a good move for reaching those dreams. As much as I would like to say the Red Bulls and MLS should have waited until the winter, I think it is his time to go on. Yes, he did lose focus and was distracted by the impending European move, but at the same time Villarreal gets a very solid prospect who is still very young and is developing.

Also, it appears he will get plenty of time to play as there is a scenario where Villarreal loans him to Recreativo Huelva should pan out.

New York will have to regroup here. They were already expecting a loss like this and would be looking for replacements anyways this summer. They won’t find a good young talent like him but they should have the resources now in place to make a good enough offer to a couple players to fill the void. You can pretty much bank this club using this transfer money on another DP next year as they look to open Red Bull Park in as big of a way as possible.

What do you all make of this? Should the league have held out for more money or was this the right price?