England-Spain and France-Argentina friendlies highlight a heavy slate of games on Wednesday's international fixture calendar. England and Spain will be looking for a confidence boost after disappointing fall campaigns in Euro 2008 qualifying when they meet in Manchester (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, live, 3 pm ET). England coach Steve McClaren will try again with a […]
Monthly Archives: February 2007
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
6. OFF THE POST: German club’s goals too small
German newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt discovered that the crossbars of Bundesliga club Hamburg SV’s goals in its AOL-Arena, a 2006 World Cup venue, were 2 inches too low. Last-place Hamburg SV, whose squad includes American midfielder Benny Feilhaber, has scored a league-worst seven home-field goals in nine games while conceding nine goals.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Our players are certainly aware of the record. [Mexico coach] Hugo Sanchez has used those statistics as motivation for his team, so I think that just puts more on the line as we go into this game.” — U.S. interim head coach Bob Bradley, whose team on Wednesday faces archrival Mexico, which has failed to […]
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2. USA-MEXICO: A sold-out showdown in Arizona
(TV: Wednesday, ESPN2 & Univision 9 pm ET, kickoff 9:25 pm ET.) By Ridge Mahoney Senior Editor, Soccer America in Glendale, Ariz. There’s turmoil in the Mexican camp. The American players are forecasting a World Cup atmosphere. The sellout crowd of 62,000 will be mostly attired in green. It’s USA-Mexico, what else? “This game will […]
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My View:Youth Soccer Turf War
Do players benefit when an increasing number of organizations compete for a piece of the American youth soccer pie? ''National youth championships in the USA are the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard in my life,'' says Horst Bertl, the Dallas Comets longtime director of coaching. ''Whoever thinks these up should be stoned.'' That would […]
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7. GUUS HIDDINK: Prosecutors call for jail sentence
Prosecutors called for a 10-month jail sentence for Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, considered a candidate for the U.S. national team coaching job, and a 13-month sentence for Hiddink’s adviser on tax fraud charges. They accuse Hiddink, currently the Russia national team coach, of evading almost $1.81 million in Dutch taxes for falsely claiming he was […]
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4. FRIENDLIES: Portugal hands Dunga first loss with Brazil
Late goals from Simao Sabrosa and central Ricardo Carvalho gave Portugal a 2-0 win over Brazil in a friendly international at London’s Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. The goals were set up by well-struck balls by Ricardo Quaresma and Hugo Viana. It was Dunga‘s first defeat in six internationals as Brazil coach since taking over from […]
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3. TV PREVIEWS: England-Spain, France-Argentina clashes
England-Spain and France-Argentina friendlies highlight a heavy slate of games on Wednesday’s international fixture calendar. England and Spain will be looking for a confidence boost after disappointing fall campaigns in Euro 2008 qualifying when they meet in Manchester (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, live, 3 pm ET). England coach Steve McClaren will try again with a […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“You wouldn’t argue with him. I think I’ll leave it to my assistant, Nigel Pearson, to tell him if he’s done something wrong.” — Newcastle head coach Glenn Roeder on Oguchi Onyewu, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound American defender who joined the English Premier League club from Belgium’s Standard Liege. (BBC)
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5. MLS: Beckham could visit every league city in 2007
Major League Soccer has announced its 2007 schedule that allows for David Beckham to play with the Los Angeles Galaxy in every MLS city after his expected arrival in mid-July, more than half way through the 2007 season. 2007 MLS Schedule (with television dates) Beckham’s contract with Real Madrid ends June 30, and he could […]
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Life In The Pros
By Mike Woitalla Executive Editor, Soccer America Top picks in the MLS SuperDraft hail from diverse backgrounds. John Cunliffe (Chivas USA) FROM MAN U FAN TO BECKHAM FOE John Cunliffe's hopes of becoming a pro began when he played for the youth teams of Blackburn and Manchester United, but most crucial to what would turn […]
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MLS Coaching 101
First-year head coaches will lead four MLS teams in 2007. Tom Soehn Steeped deeply in soccer cultures Soccer was a family affair for Tom Soehn growing up in Chicago. ''My parents came over from Germany on separate boats in the 50s and met at the Chicago Kickers club,'' says Soehn, named D.C. head coach in […]
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Beckham:Making of an Icon
The die is cast. MLS opened the bottle of competitive bidding amongst clubs for players, and the genie has already granted its first wish to Anschutz Entertainment Group and the Los Angeles Galaxy. David Beckham is bound for the USA, a country disdainful of his game but absolutely enthralled with his looks, his clothes, his […]
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MLS: Beckham should visit every MLS city in 2007
Major League Soccer has announced its 2007 schedule that allows for David Beckham to play with the Los Angeles Galaxy in every MLS city after his expected arrival in mid-July, more than half way through the 2007 season. 2007 MLS Schedule (with television dates) Beckham should make his debut Aug. 5 at FC Toronto — […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Yallop: Depth is the Key for the Galaxy in ’07
L.A. Soccer News conducts an interview with Frank Yallop, the man who may soon become the most famous coach in Major League Soccer, once David Beckham arrives, that is. This week the Los Angeles Galaxy began its preseason camp without three players on duty with the U.S. national team and of course, without Beckham, who’s […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Serie A Clubs Angered by Strict Anti-Hooliganism Measures
n the wake of riots that led to the death of one police officer and injuries to more than 70 people, Italian soccer and government officials agreed to implement strict new anti-hooliganism measures that would effectively close down the stadiums of at least five Serie A teams. The stadiums of Ascoli, Atalanta, Catania, Chievo Verona […]
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Madrid Players, Former Coach Back Becks
David Beckham, who hasn’t kicked a ball for Real Madrid since announcing his decision to move to MLS and the Los Angeles Galaxy once his contract expires this summer, continues to be the central figure of internal politics at the Madrid club. Spanish league pundits, former coach Vicente Del Bosque and Real Madrid’s own players […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Liverpool Approves American Takeover
American sports tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks look certain to complete a takeover of Liverpool FC for an estimated $340 million (seeking additional investment for a new stadium and player acquisitions), after the cub’s board approved the move on Tuesday. Pending shareholder approval, the pair will become the seventh foreign and third American owner […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The English Brand was Built on its Stadiums
Soccer is a global game, but its brand is English, says Simon Kuper of the Financial Times. Indeed, the country that has produced few of the world’s great soccer players contains the prototype league for the world’s game-even though English clubs have won two European Cups in the last 20 years. So why do many […]
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MLS: Colorado signs Panamanian striker Roberto Brown
Roberto Brown, a 29-year-old Panamanian forward, has signed with the Colorado Rapids. ''El Bombardero'' scored against the USA in a 1-1 tie during qualifying play for the 2006 World Cup. He arrives from Tacuarembo FC in the Uruguayan first division. ''His addition to the offensive line will help solve the scoring drought issues from last […]
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U.S. U-20 WOMEN: Ellis opens first camp [#20275]
New U.S. Under-20 women's national team's coach Jillian Ellis is conducting her first training camp of the new cycle, running Feb. 4-11 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The U-20s will be looking to play at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile. They will play their first international matches of […]
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U.S. U-20 WOMEN: Ellis opens first camp
New U.S. Under-20 women's national team's coach Jillian Ellis is conducting her first training camp of the new cycle, running Feb. 4-11 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The U-20s will be looking to play at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile. They will play their first international matches of […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
BUSINESS: A Nike-adidas showdown in Germany
When Germany won its first World Cup in 1954, adidas founder Adi Dassler was hailed for providing the team with revolutionary screw-in studs that helped the players cope with the water-logged field in Bern, site of their 3-2 win over Hungary. For another half-century, and two more World Cup victories, Germany wore the three stripes […]
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OFF THE POST: Stripping coach apologizes
After being highly criticized for his method of protesting a referee's call, the Portuguese coach of Egyptian champion Al Ahli has apologized. ''After analyzing my reaction … I found out that it was inappropriate and I apologize to all fans in general and to Al Ahli's fans in particular,'' Manual Jose said. ''I forgot at […]
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1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“I like the style of play that they play. It’s just one of those things that you look forward to. You like to play against teams that play good soccer, and hopefully we can win.” — U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey on Wednesday’s friendly against Mexico in Arizona. More than 50,000 tickets have already been sold. […]