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Melbourne Victory has failed in its bid to sign Ghanaian international Michael Essien.The former Chelsea star has knocked back an offer from the A-League club to join as a marquee player for the 2016-17 season despite him reportedly ending his contract with Greek club Panathinaikos this week.The club has been in constant discussions with Michael and his representatives but due to some personal issues Michael has unfortunately decided not to move to Melbourne, a Victory spokesperson told News Corp Australia.The 33-year-old Ghana midfielder scored 17 goals in 168 matches for Chelsea, playing in their 2009-10 Premier League-winning season, but his time at Panathinaikos was hampered by injury.The failure to sign Essien frees up cash from Football Federation Australias $1million pot of funding to help A-League clubs sign big-name players, including star Melbourne City recruit Tim Cahill.Had Essien signed, the well would have been almost dry, although his success in Australia could have prompted the FFA to increase the war-chest next season.(An increase would be) hard for season 12 but were certainly going to look at it again for season 13, FFA chief executive David Gallop said earlier this week.Its obviously pleasing that we allocated an amount of money and were getting to use it.Essiens shun takes off some of the gloss from an otherwise successful A-League off-season for the FFA thanks to the high-profile signings of Tim Cahill, Brett Holman, James Troisi, Rhys Williams and Bernie Ibini.USA Soccer Jerseys 2020 . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. USA Soccer Jerseys China . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. USA Soccer Gear . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night.ST. LOUIS -- Jaden Schwartz realizes it was just one regular season game. However, the St. Louis winger still felt plenty of satisfaction.Schwartz scored twice and David Perron added the game-winner to give the Blues a 3-2 win over San Jose on Thursday night in the teams first meeting since the Sharks won last springs Western Conference final in six games.Its a good measuring stick more than anything, Schwartz said. Last year, everyone is still going to remember it. You dont want to look too far behind. But theyre always at the top of the standings and this is a good win for us.Jake Allen had 29 saves -- holding off the Sharks 6-on-4 advantage over the final 55 seconds -- as the Blues won their second straight.We didnt change anything in our game, we just kept coming, Perron said. We came out hard and did what we had to do.Kevin Labanc got his first NHL goal and Logan Couture also scored for the Sharks, who lost their second straight after winning the first three on a season-high six-game trip.Perron broke a 2-2 tie with a power-play tally late in the second period. San Jose had killed off its previous 26 penalties over an 11-game stretch.Schwartz gave the Blues a 2-1 lead on a wrist shot from the high slot midway through the second period. He has five goals in his last six games after just one in the first eight.Hes shooting the puck, hes attacking the net, St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock said. Hes getting more and more determined to score.All three of the Blues goals came as the result of traffic in front of San Jose goaltender Martin Jones.ddddddddddddWhen we play our game, we can be successful against anybody, St. Louis defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. Thats a good team over there and we rose to the occasion.San Jose was 0 for 6 on the power play. The Sharks had plenty of chances in the frantic final seconds.The difference in the game was the power-play goal, San Jose coach Peter DeBoer said. They got one and we didnt.Labancs goal tied the game midway through the second period.I was just kind of battling in front of the net trying to get in position for a tip, Labanc said. But (Joe Thornton) tipped it to me and I just kind of turned around and shot it.The Blues were playing without Alexander Steen, who missed the contest with a lower-body injury.NOTES : The Blues activated D Roberto Bortuzzo, who had missed the previous nine games with a lower body injury. ... San Jose C Joe Thornton has 54 points in 48 regular season games against St. Louis. ... Sharks C Tommy Wingels has scored the winning goal in his teams last two victories. ... The Blues have given up the first goal in seven of their last nine games. ... St. Louis has killed off 42 of 44 power plays at home this season.UP NEXTSharks: At Arizona on Saturday to conclude their six-game trip.Blues: Host Nashville on Saturday to finish a three-game homestand. ' ' '