American Benny Feilhaber, the hero of the USA’s 2007 Gold Cup victory, joined promoted English Premier League club Derby County on Thursday when he won his appeal with Britain’s Home Office to get a work permit.
Monthly Archives: August 2007
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Nowak’s Olympic Hopefuls
Peter Nowak will have a deep squad of players to pick for the U.S. under-23 national team that will attempt to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games. Players must be born on or after Jan. 1, 1985. Ten U-23 candidates have been capped at the senior level. Many U-23 possibles are from the U.S. U-20 team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada. Here’s a list of some of the leading candidates.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Peter Nowak named U.S. Olympic men’s team coach
Former Polish international Peter Nowak has been named the head coach of the U.S. under-23 men’s national team that will attempt to qualify for the the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Pressure’s On at Anfield
Outside Anfield, the excitement is mounting ahead of the 2007-08 EPL season. Inside, however, it’s the pressure that’s rising. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was given the money he needed to strengthen the squad he described as inadequate following the Reds’ Champions League final loss to AC Milan some three months ago. Eight players and an […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
EPL to Change Player Loan, Transfer Rules
The Carlos Tevez fiascoes (yes, plural) have prompted the English Premier League to introduce a rule change regarding player transactions that would have a direct impact on transfers, registration, loan deals and agent compensation. The move follows a season in which Kia Joorabchian, the Iranian businessman who held on to the economic rights of Carlos […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Americans in Germany Prepare for Bundesliga Season
The English Premier League isn’t the only major European league opening its gates this weekend: the Bundesliga starts Friday when defending champ VfB Stuttgart take on last season’s No. 2, Schalke 04. In all, there are now 15 Americans playing in Germany, including five in the Bundesliga; USSoccerPlayers takes a look at their prospects for […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
A Big Night, With or Without Becks
With or without David Beckham, the sellout between the L.A. Galaxy and D.C. United (ESPN2, 7 pm EST) is a fitting Thursday night headliner, says Ian Plenderleith of USSoccerPlayers. History says goals when these two clubs meet at RFK, which has been a particularly happy hunting ground for L.A.’s Landon Donovan. Last year, Donovan’s two […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Becks Blasts Turf, Injury Critics
L.A. Galaxy midfielder David Beckham completed a full practice at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on Thursday before the Galaxy’s clash with D.C. United, but remained vague about his chances of playing. “It’s looking up,” Beckham said of the ankle injury that’s kept him sidelined for the last three weeks (with the exception of a […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Sun and shadows on high school soccer
There is much to do as a high school soccer coach. New uniforms have been ordered and sent to the silk-screener. Balls have been stored in the garage waiting for the night when I will pump up each one. Assistants have been lined up and forms distributed. The fall schedule has been carefully worked out with dates and times. An accident to one of our goals required a piece be sent to a local welder to be repaired.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I told her I had a match that day, but she wasn’t having any of that. She said it was only a friendly and that I had to help her.”
— Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on having been ruled out of attending Manchester United’s two pre-season friendlies on Wednesday — one against Glentoran in Belfast and another against Dunfermline in his native Scotland — by his wife Cathy. Ferguson is needed at home to organize their house move. He added that on the bright side she saved him from making a difficult choice. His father played for Glentoran, but he has close ties with Dunfermline.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Soccer on TV
The Bundesliga kicks off on Friday with 2006-07 champion Stuttgart hosting runner-up Schalke. Defending English Premier League champion Manchester United begins its title defense on Sunday against Reading.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
English Premier League Transfers
Team-by-team movement in the English Premier League, which begins the 2007-08 season on Saturday.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Optimistic Brian McBride appointed Fulham captain
English Premier League club Fulham has named American Brian McBride as its captain for the 2007-08 season that starts on Sunday against London rival Arsenal.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
New England eliminates Harrisburg in Open Cup
It will be two MLS teams and two USL teams in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals. Behind first-half goals from Andy Dorman and Taylor Twellman, the New England Revolution completed the semifinal field with a 2-1 over the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Former champions Red Star and Steaua advance in Champions League qualifying
Former European champion Red Star Belgrade lost at Estonian champion Levadia Tallin, 2-1, on Wednesday but advanced to the third round of UEFA Champions League against Scottish club Rangers thanks to its away goal by playmaker Igor Burzanovic. Steaua Bucharest, another former European Cup champion, also advanced thanks to a 2-1 victory over Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin and 3-1 aggregate win.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Galaxy needs points more than Beckham
[TV PREVIEW] He’s mentioned in the headline. That’s all on David Beckham, who should sit out Thursday’s D.C. United-Los Angeles game (TV: ESPN2, 7 pm ET).
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
International Soccer Scoreboard
Wednesday’s results in UEFA Champions League qualifying and the third qualifying round draw, as well as league action in Europe and South America.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
UEFA Opens Racism Investigation in Montenegro
UEFA has responded to a plea from Glasgow Rangers to investigate alleged racial abuse of American midfielder DaMarcus Beasley during yesterday’s 1-0 win over FK Zeta in Champions League qualifying. Beasley, who scored the only goal, said the he and teammate, French Guyanan Jean-Claude Darcheville, were subjected to “monkey chants” during the match. “At this […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Robben Optimistic About Real Transfer
Arjen Robben’s move to Real Madrid now looks a virtual certainty after the Dutch winger proclaimed on Wednesday that he was “happy” with the Spanish champion’s interest in him. “Of course, Madrid’s interest makes me happy,” the striker said, speaking about the matter for the first time publicly. “But for now I can not say […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Szetela Deal Not Done, Feilhaber Eyes Derby Co.
Contrary to a North Jersey Herald report yesterday, Columbus Crew midfielder Danny Szetela has not finalized a move to AS Roma, although negotiations are ongoing, the player’s agent Shep Messing said on Wednesday. “We’re also in discussions with MLS,” he added. “From what I’m told, I should also expect one soon from Lazio…I don’t know […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Sven and the New Man City
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune interviews former England coach Sven Goran-Eriksson, who’s now leading a revolution at Manchester City, thanks to a cash infusion from exiled Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the club’s new owner. Following England’s disappointing quarterfinal exit at the 2006 World Cup, Eriksson was forced to sit on the sidelines […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Kovalenko the Key to Bulls’ Success
If recent form is anything to go by, you could be forgiven for not liking the New York Red Bulls’ postseason chances. Indeed, the fourth-place Bulls have played poorly now for quite a while it seems, and yet somehow, thanks to a strong start to the 2007 season, Bruce Arena’s men are just six points […]
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
North Carolina women are choice to win ACC
Defending national champion North Carolina is the near-unanimous pick to win the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference title, as determined by a vote of the league’s 11 head coaches. In addition, it marks the second year in a row that UNC, Florida State and Virginia have been predicted to finish as the top three teams in the league, respectively.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
2006 NCAA Division I Women’s Attendance Leaders
Portland and Texas A&M were the big draws in NCAA Division I women’s soccer. Both averaged more than 3,000 fans a game in 2006. Only one other school (BYU) topped the 2,000 mark. For the 2006 Top 50 attendance leaders …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
2006 NCAA Division I Men’s Attendance Leaders
For the first time since the NCAA began publishing soccer attendance figures, as many as nine Division I men’s schools averaged more than 2,000 fans a game. UConn led all schools with an average of 2,878. Virginia drew a total of 43,183 fans, a modern-day NCAA record. For the 2006 Top 50 attendance leaders …