Monthly Archives: August 2002

For the first time since 1980, the United States will host a qualifying tournament for the U-20 World Cup. Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., will be the venue for the Nov. 13-17 tournament that will determine two of the CONCACAF regionÆs four qualifiers for the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship in the United Arab Emirates […]

By Ridge Mahoney, Senior Editor NEW STARTS: Hristo Stoitchkov made his first MLS start in nearly a year last Wednesday in the Fire's 5-1 demolition of Kansas City. Not since Aug. 18, 2001 had Stoitchkov been in Chicago's first 11. He scored a goal and an assist in the first league game he started alongside […]

The opening of the English and Dutch seasons are included in this week's compilation of Americans playing in foreign leagues. Chile * Jonny Walker (Universidad Catolica, D1) vs. Santiago Wanderers (2-2). Started: 90 minutes. After Arturo Norambuena knotted the game for Catolica with a 75th minute penalty kick, Walker helped preserve the draw with a […]

England * Claudio Reyna (Sunderland, PL) vs. Blackburn, 0-0. Started: 90 minutes. Three of Reyna's free kicks were among the visitors' best chances in this game — an important road draw for Sunderland. Brad Friedel handled an early set piece from Reyna, then saw another go just wide in the 10th minute and finally made […]

After two game days in the German First Division season of 2002-2003, only two clubs havenÆt picked up a point. They are newly promoted Hannover 96, where Steve Cherundolo plays right back, and Nuremberg, which has Tony Sanneh on its backline. Germany * Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, D2) vs. 1860 Munich, 1-3. Started: 90 minutes. […]

(Top 8 teams qualify for MLS playoffs) 1. * San Jose 39 pts (+14 goal difference) 2. * Chicago 34 (+9) 3. Dallas 37 (+5) 4. Los Angeles 36 (+5) 5. Columbus 34 (+1) 6. Colorado 33 (-8) 7. Kansas City 32 (-7) 8. MetroStars 29 (-2) —————————- 9. D.C. United 23 (-8) 10. New […]

Aug. 17 in San Jose San Jose 2 D.C. United 2 (OT). Goals: Ekelund pen. 17, Ekelund 63; Quintanilla (Pope, Etcheverry) 5, Quintanilla 61. San Jose — Cannon, Mulrooney, Robinson, Barrett, Corrales, Russell, Ekelund, Donovan, Lagos, DeRosario (Barclay, 91), Graziani. D.C. United — Rimando, Prideaux, Reyes, Nelsen, Pope, McKinley, Etcheverry, Olsen (Mapp, 92+), Convey, Moreno, […]

GROUP A Sunday, Aug. 18 Canada 3 (Sinclair 15, Rowe 68, Lang 80) Denmark 2 (Rasmussen 51, Herping 53). Japan 1 (Sudo 26) Nigeria 1 (Iwuagwu 36). GROUP B Saturday, Aug. 17 Brazil 5 (Daniela 7, 15, Tatiana 30, Kelly 60, Renata Costa 65) Mexico 3 (Rico 8, Worbis 66, Martinez 74). Germany 2 (Mittag […]

Carolina and Washington, which followed different paths to prominence after sharing the WUSA's worst record in the inaugural season, will meet next week for the women's league's second championship after scoring dramatic semifinal victories on Saturday. The Courage converted an 89th-minute penalty kick to force overtime, then got an empty-net golden goal from Carla Overbeck […]

The United States got off to a terrific start at the first FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, using three goals near the end of the first half to score a 5-1 romp over England in Saturday's tournament opener in Victoria, British Columbia. University of Texas striker Kelly Wilson netted two goals and New Jersey high-schooler […]

Saturday, August 17 (4:00 pm ET) D.C. UNITED (6-11-4, 22 points) at SAN JOSE (12-7-2, 38 points) (TV: ESPN2) Key Players Out: San Jose – D Jimmy Conrad (disciplinary suspension), D Troy Dayak (strained groin-L); D.C. United – F Santino Quaranta (abdominal hernia surgery), M Richie Williams (disciplinary suspension). Referee: Kevin Terry. Saturday, August 17 […]

By Scott French, Senior Editor It has been a season of the unexpected this summer in the WUSA. Who could have imagined that Atlanta would ride a roller-coaster from start to finish? That Carolina would finish on top? That Mia Hamm would be Mia Hamm? That some French striker named Pichon would be the big […]

By Will Kuhns, Senior Editor D.C. United added Colombian forward Henry Zambrano Thursday. Zambrano, who turned 29 a week ago, played 14 games for the MetroStars in 1999, totaling three goals and three assists and moved on to Colorado, where he tallied two goals and four assists in 18 appearances in 2000. He had been […]

The Mexican First Division, the league with the most televised games in the United States — on Univision, Telemundo, Telefutura, Galavision and TV Azteca — has kicked off the first half of its 2002-2003 split season. The Torneo Apertura (nee Torneo Invierno) sees Club America aiming to become the first repeat champion since the split […]

MLS PLAYOFF RACE STANDINGS (Top 8 teams qualify) 1. * San Jose 38 pts (+14 goal difference) 2. * Chicago 31 (+7) 3. Dallas 34 (+3) 4. Colorado 33 (-4) 5. Los Angeles 33 (+1) 6. Kansas City 32 (-3) 7. Columbus 31 (-3) 8. MetroStars 29 (+1) —————————- 9. New England 22 (-8) 10. […]

The Chicago Fire routed the Kansas City Wizards, 5-1, Wednesday night and leap-frogged the MetroStars to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. But the Fire fears that star striker Josh Wolff, who tallied in the 15th minute, may have suffered a serious knee injury. … The crowd of 15,919 marked the FireÆs first sellout […]

By Nathaniel Gould THE PLAYOFF RACE: SEATTLE (Pacific Division, Western Conference) and CHARLESTON (Southeast Division, Eastern Conference) remain the only teams to have clinched A-League playoff spots, but the number of contenders for the 12 spots has decreased. The CALGARY STORM, INDIANA BLAST, PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS and HAMPTON ROADS MARINERS have been mathematically eliminated. This leaves […]

GOALKEEPER Richard Goddard (Charlotte) * Fifteen saves in pair of ties against Charleston DEFENDERS Joe Mattacchione (Toronto) * Outstanding in 2-1 overtime win at Montreal Lloyd Barker (Montreal) * Solid in 2-1 win at Richmond Dick McCormick (Seattle) * Solid in 2-1 win over Milwaukee MIDFIELDERS Andy McDermott (Charlotte) * Goal, assist in pair of […]

Wednesday, August 14 (7:30 pm ET) LOS ANGELES (10-7-3, 33 points) at COLUMBUS (8-10-4, 28 points) (TV: No TV) Key Players Out: Los Angeles – F Isaias Bardales (knee sprain-R); Columbus – M John Harkes (sprained MCL-R), M John Wilmar Perez (sprained MCL-L) F Brian McBride (sprained ankle-L). Referee: Terry Vaughn. Wednesday, August 14 (8:30 […]

By Scott French, Senior Editor FINAL FOUR: Carolina captured the regular-season title and Atlanta nabbed the final playoff berth on the last weekend of the WUSA's second campaign. The Courage overtook Philadelphia for the top spot with a 2-1 victory Wednesday in New York and a 1-1 tie Sunday in San Diego. Birgit Prinz and […]

By Will Kuhns, Senior Editor GOAL OF THE WEEK: Jason Kreis' gamewinner in the 89th minute against Chicago came as a result of a fine passing combination between Ronald Cerritos and Ryan Suarez, but was topped off by Kreis' classy turning finish from about 10 yards. With an assist in the game as well, Kreis […]

French striker Marinette Pichon, whose attacking prowess has guided the Philadelphia Charge atop the WUSA, has surprised only those who hadnÆt seen her play.

Bob Contiguglia, who is seeking a second four-year term as president of U.S. Soccer, looks back on the achievements and challenges of his first term. Interview by DAN WOOG SOCCER AMERICA: Will this be a contested election? BOB CONTIGUGLIA: As far as I know, no. Most people who had been considered candidates have told me […]

by Soccer America Executive Editor Mike Woitalla Will EuropeÆs loss be our gain? ThatÆs the question posed by the stunning collapse of the international transfer market. Aside from Rio FerdinandÆs move from Leeds to Manchester United for $47 million, there have been no summer blockbuster deals. Barcelona spent $303 million on transfers the past five […]

Thursday, September 19 (7:30 pm ET) DALLAS (11-9-7, 40 points) at D.C. UNITED (9-13-5, 32 points) (TV: ESPN2) Key Players Out: Dallas – M Paul Broome (red card suspension), D Ryan Suarez (red card suspension), F Ronald Cerritos (knee surgery-R), GK D.J. Countess (shoulder surgery-R), D Chris Gbandi (knee surgery-R); D.C. United – D Brandon […]