News & Rumors Update 12/3

Here are a few of the latest news reports and from across the soccer landscape:

• Tomorrow at 12pm (ET) FIFA will hold the 2010 World Cup Draw. All 32 qualifying teams will find out which group they are in and the three additional teams they must face in the opening group round of play next summer. ESPN2 will have extensive live coverage from noon to 3pm (ET) head over their World Cup Draw Website for full details on the event and teams.
• On Wednesday FIFA announced the World Cup 2010 pots in which 32 teams are broken down into four groups. From there 1 country from each pot is selected and placed in a group. The idea is that teams from the same region don't play each other in the opening round, and to ensure the best 8 teams (pot 1) are not grouped together at the start. Teams in pot 1 are considering to be the highest ranked teams in the world, with the exception of South Africa who gets a pot 1 bid due to hosting the tournament. Pot 2 is consists of Asian, Central and North American, and Oceania teams. Pot 3 features teams from South America and Africa. Pot 4 has the remaining European teams not including in Pot 1.
• On December 1st, Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or by a record 240-vote margin over Cristiano Ronaldo. The Ballon d'Or is awarded to the top European player as voted by the media. Messi becomes the first player from Argentina to win the award. Xavi, Iniesta, and Eto'o rounded out the top five in voting.
• The 2009 NCAA Men's College Cup (Final Four) will take place next weekend in Cary, NC. The tournament to crown the best team in US college soccer is down to the final 8, featuring 4 ACC teams. The quarterfinal match-ups will take place this Friday and Saturday.
• InsideMinnesotaSoccer is reporting that USL-1 franchise the Cleveland City Stars are ceasing operations and have released all of their players. Cleveland was notified last week that the USL would not continue their franchise and there are rumors of financial difficulty. This brings the USL-1 league for the 2010 season down to 3 returning teams (Portland, Puerto Rico and Austin) and one expansion team (New York).
• FIFA announced today that the winning world cup country will receive $30 million in prize money. Second place will claim $24 million, with a total pool of $420 million for the 2010 competition. 

Make sure to tune in tomorrow at 12pm (ET) or set your DVR as we find out who will be facing who in the opening round of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.