Avoiding the Drop

First of all, many thanks to Green Eggs for picking up the slack while I was having my bionic implants installed.  He came up with a tough challenge and one that generated plenty of interest- and frustration- within the commentariat.  I’m not 100% back yet, but I’m doing well enough to return to my duties as your weekly intellectual tormentor.  Join me after the jump and we’ll see if I’m back on my game or if I left it all on the operating table.

1. What non-soccer player once dethroned Pelé as the world’s highest paid athlete?

2. Based on the following information, name the two players:

• Both played in the Premier League
• Both played in MLS
• Both managed in MLS
• Both played in their home country, plus three others
• Both were international players
• When in the Premier League both were part of their team’s last win (to date) at Old Trafford.

3. What does the following list represent?

• Scotland
• England
• Italy/France/Wales
• Ireland/Israel/Spain

4. What distinction do SFL Second Division side Dumbarton F.C. hold in Scottish Football?

5. What football club uses the same crest (with different initials) as the Portuguese National team?

6. What soccer world championship will be held this summer on July 15^th and July 16^th?

7. Conventional wisdom holds that Alexi Lalas was the first American-born player to play in Serie A, but he was actually the third U.S.-born player to do this. Who were the first two?

8. What three cities once made up the U.S.’s “Golden Triangle” of soccer?

As always, you may send your answers to avoidingthedrop@gmail.com and you may not put any spoilers in the comments section.  Please have your submissions in by next Tuesday at midnight EST.

I’m off to my first check-up to see if my recovery is on schedule- you kids play nice, okay?