Your Christmas Union Freekicks: Hopefully You Didn't Get Coal

A bit of an abbreviated link thread for today, as people all around the world celebrate the holiday -- but of course there's always something going on...

End Of Excuses: Leonardo Replaces Rafa Benitez At Inter Milan [Richard Farley, SBN Soccer] - Leonardo's 2009-10 A.C. Milan club went 20-8-10 in Serie A action.

Series of Gaffes End Soccer's Big Year [Jeré Longman, New York Times] - Just in case you haven't read enough about FIFA and Sepp Blatter...

It's not too early to size up U.S. soccer team for 2012 Olympics [Grahame L. Jones, Los Angeles Times] - Optimism!

Widener a better financial fit for Independence [Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer] - Last year's WPS championship finalists still hope to one day play at PPL Park.

And finally, I would be remiss if I didn't share video from CBS3 of Harry Kalas reading 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. Miss ya, HK.

A very happy holidays to you and yours.