The increase in immigration from Africa has created a burgeoning source of talent for the U.S. youth national team program. About two million people fled Sierra Leone during the decade-long civil war that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and destroyed two-thirds of the nation's infrastructure. One of the refugees was an 11-year-old boy […]
Monthly Archives: April 2007
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Where Are America’s Black Coaches?
Leaders of the NSCAA Black Soccer Coaches Committee hail the increase of black players in mainstream American soccer — but now await an increase in opportunities for black coaches. Hylton Dayes, the chairman of the BSCC, is the head coach of the University of Cincinnati and a Region II ODP coach. ''I got here in […]
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Marketing Soccer Is Getting Easier
MLS marketing and public relations vet Dan Courtemanche predicts a stellar 2007 season. Had Dan Courtemanche accepted that office-supply sales job instead of opting for an unpaid internship with a sports marketing firm 17 years ago, he probably wouldn't have been ''trying to manage a tidal wave'' on the 11th day of 2007. A few […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
How Will Angel Fit with the Bulls?
Ken Pendleton at USSoccerPlayers.com takes a look at the much-hyped arrival of Juan Pablo Angel at the New York Red Bulls. In his post-acquisition comments, Arena makes it clear that Angel is a player he desperately wanted, but, as Pendleton warns, Angel has flattered to deceive in the past. Just ask Aston Villa, which paid […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Beware the Altidore Hype Machine
Josmer Altidore’s first full season in MLS is just three games old, but following an excellent performance against defending MLS champ Houston Dynamo in which he scored the only goal of the game, the Red Bulls striker is already being dressed up as U.S. soccer’s next big export. As Ives Galarcep of the North Jersey […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Beasley Hoping to Stay in Manchester
DaMarcus Beasley tells Yanks Abroad that his PSV Eindhoven days are over-or so he hopes. The 24-year old U.S. international, on loan with Manchester City all season, said he hopes to close out that chapter of his life by signing a long-term deal with City, which has yet to offer him a contract. “PSV is […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Rooney Steals Spotlight from Kaka, Ronaldo Show
There were no losers Tuesday night at Old Trafford, writes Richard Williams of the Guardian, as Manchester United and AC Milan contested a UEFA Champions League semifinal “that lived up to the finest traditions of the two clubs and of the tournament on which both have engraved their names.” In particular, Williams serves up glowing […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Professional Soccer Not Necessarily a Dream Job
It may be hard to believe for some, but not all professional soccer players loved their jobs. A special Guardian report, “Footballers That Don’t Really Like Football,” finds there are plenty, in fact, and a few famous ones at that. Take Tottenham and Watford’s former American goalkeeper Espen Baardson: he was once heralded as Norway’s […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
WOMEN'S LEAGUE: Two East Coast groups join effort
Efforts to launch a women's pro league in the spring of 2008 received a boost when ownership groups from Boston and New York/New Jersey announced their intentions to join investor groups from six other cities. ''The signing of these two new markets is an important milestone,'' said Tonya Antonucci, the CEO of the Women's Soccer […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
YOUTH: Big win for U-16s in Ballymena
The U.S. U-16 national team rallied from two goals down to beat the Czech Republic, 3-2, Tuesday at the Ballymena Showgrounds in the second game of the 2007 Ballymena International Tournament in Northern Ireland. Dersu Abolfathi, Ryan Finley and captain Kofi Sarkodie scored for the USA to move into first place in Hroup B and […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
U-17 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: USA names roster
U.S. U-17 boys national team coach John Hackworth named his 20-player roster for the CONCACAF Under-17 Group B Qualifying Tournament April 28-May 6 in Kingston, Jamaica. All but one of the players selected are currently in in U.S. Soccer's Under-17 Residency Program based in Bradenton, Fla. Defender Tommy Meyer, who was formerly in Residency for […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
EUROPE: Rooney goals give Man. United late victory
Manchester United will take a 3-2 lead over Italy's AC Milan to the San Siro Stadium for next Wednesday's second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal series after coming back from 2-1 down at halftime to win Tuesday thanks to two goals from Wayne Rooney, the second on stoppage time. Manchester United led at […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
OBITUARY: English World Cup star Alan Ball
Alan Ball, the youngest member of England's 1966 World Cup championship, has died of a heart attack at the age of 61. Ball, whose father of the same name was a soccer player and manager, starred for Everton, Arsenal and Southampton and won 72 caps for England. He was an all-NASL pick for the Philadelphia […]
Posted inSoccer America Site, Story
TV PREVIEW: Liverpool aims for another road win
WEDNESDAY: UEFA Champions League Semifinal, 1st Leg CHELSEA-LIVERPOOL (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, 2:30 pm ET, live) Liverpool and Chelsea meet Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinals series, a repeat of their 2005 series Liverpool won en route to its fifth title. Unlike Tuesday's wild-open game between Manchester United and AC Milan, […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
7. OBITUARY: English World Cup star Alan Ball
Alan Ball, the youngest member of England’s 1966 World Cup championship, has died of a heart attack at the age of 61.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“I [reacted] the same way I’ve always come back from things, like whenever people say I’m not up to the job. I proved to him I am a professional. I think he said, ‘How can he be committed to the team when he’s signed to someone else?’ But I proved I am committed; it doesn’t matter if I’m going. I’ll still go flying into tackles and try and win something with this team.”
— David Beckham
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
2. EUROPE: Rooney goals give Man. United late victory
Manchester United will take a 3-2 lead over Italy’s AC Milan to the San Siro Stadium for next Wednesday’s second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal series after coming back from 2-1 down at halftime to win Tuesday thanks to two goals from Wayne Rooney, the second on stoppage time. Manchester United led at […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
6. YOUTH: Big win for U-16s in Ballymena
The U.S. U-16 national team rallied from two goals down to beat the Czech Republic, 3-2, Tuesday at the Ballymena Showgrounds in the second game of the 2007 Ballymena International Tournament in Northern Ireland. Dersu Abolfathi, Ryan Finley and captain Kofi Sarkodie scored for the USA to move into first place in Hroup B and […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
5. U-17 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: USA names roster
U.S. U-17 boys national team coach John Hackworth named his 20-player roster for the CONCACAF Under-17 Group B Qualifying Tournament April 28-May 6 in Kingston, Jamaica. All but one of the players selected are currently in in U.S. Soccer’s Under-17 Residency Program based in Bradenton, Fla. Defender Tommy Meyer, who was formerly in Residency for […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
4. WOMEN’S LEAGUE: Two East Coast groups join effort
Efforts to launch a women’s pro league in the spring of 2008 received a boost when ownership groups from Boston and New York/New Jersey announced their intentions to join investor groups from six other cities. “The signing of these two new markets is an important milestone,” said Tonya Antonucci, the CEO of the Women’s Soccer […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
3. TV PREVIEW: Liverpool aims for another road win
WEDNESDAY: UEFA Champions League Semifinal, 1st Leg CHELSEA-LIVERPOOL (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, 2:30 pm ET, live) Liverpool and Chelsea meet Wednesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinals series, a repeat of their 2005 series Liverpool won en route to its fifth title. Unlike Tuesday’s wild-open game between Manchester United and AC Milan, […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mourinho Pegs Liverpool as CL Favorite
Jose Mourinho is playing mind games again, after singling out Liverpool, Chelsea’s Champions League semifinal opponent, as the favorite to win the title. “If you push me to give a favorite, then I think Liverpool should be favorite,” Mourinho told reporters before Wednesday’s first leg at Stamford Bridge. He cited a lack of rest for […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
At Season’s End, Americans Shirk EPL Stigma
The times have a-changed in England’s Premier League. Americans in the league are no longer a novelty and no longer just goalkeepers. Indeed, as EPL strengthens its claim to being the world’s best league, the USA continues to extend its influence. As Chuck Culpepper of the Los Angeles Times points out, these days if you […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Fergie Purrs Over Gattuso-Pirlo Pairing
Under different circumstances, AC Milan’s Gennaro Gattuso, pegged by the English press as the danger-man before Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League semifinal, could have been a Red Devil. In fact, in a press conference on Monday, Sir Alex Ferguson made his admiration for Milan’s entire squad abundantly clear. The United coach tried to sign Gattuso […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Bulls’ Early Success Down to Defense
Three 2007 season is three weeks old and the New York Red Bulls have yet to concede a goal. After two wins in a row, Bruce Arena’s Bulls have played some good stuff, but their defense has been most impressive, shutting out some of the league’s top goal scorers last year: Carlos Ruiz and Kenny […]