The David Beckham effect has created a “perfect storm” around soccer in the U.S., but sports analyst Randy Bernstein warns that Major League Soccer runs the risk of being forgotten once that storm passes, unless it invests in more international stars. “I think what MLS needs to do now is to not over-hype [Beckham]. He […]
Monthly Archives: August 2007
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Rapids Blow Away Revs, Shock Everyone
Where or where did the Colorado Rapids’ 3-0 win over the New England Revolution come from? The Denver Post says the odds were always stacked against the home side: top scorer Herculez Gomez was suspended, the team had only won one of its last 11 matches, and coming into Thursday’s game, the Rapids were averaging […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Busy Beckham faces Germany after Red Bulls
David Beckham has set the bar high for the rest of the season after delivering a commanding performance in his first start for the L.A. Galaxy during Wednesday’s SuperLiga semifinal win. However, Reuters points out that the England international next week embarks on a grueling traveling schedule as he tries to balance playing for both […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer On TV
The U-17 World Cup kicks off on Saturday (late on Friday night for West Coasters) and will be broadcast on ESPNU and Spanish-language Galavision (and on the Web at ESPN360.com). Click HERE for complete ESPNU & ESPN360.com schedule. The weekend also serves up EPL, Bundesliga and MLS action, including David Beckham and the Galaxy’s clash at New York Red Bull on Saturday.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Beckham aims for Red Bulls
[MLS WEEKEND PREVIEW] The top two teams in the Western Conference square off; two matches pair up tightly bunched Eastern Conference foes; Beckham does Jersey, RSL may unveil a more South American look for a visit by the Fire and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and Toronto hosts the second meeting of the USA’s border neighbors.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The Rapids rip Revs
Don’t write off the Rapids just yet. Jovan Kirovksi scored twice and Colin Clark sliced up New England in a 3-0 romp that pushed Colorado to within two points of a playoff spot. Kirovksi smashed home a rebound in the 10th minute and later in the first half tucked away a penalty resulting from a Jay Heaps foul on Clark, who in the second half hit a long ball that Omar Cummings blasted into the net for his first MLS goal.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I know it seems almost silly to keep talking about him because he’s only one player but he makes a big difference in there and it’s not just the goal. It’s his leadership, his ability to get us out of pressure situations. If the ball comes to him and he can’t make the right pass or the right play, he puts the ball in a spot where it gets us out of pressure and puts them under pressure.”
— The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan on David Beckham, who scored and set up Donovan for a goal in Los Angeles’ SuperLiga win Wednesday over D.C. United. (Reuters)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
UEFA Cup Qualifying Results
Americans Brad Friedel, Danny Califf, Charlie Davies and Brian West were in action in UEFA Cup qualifying play on Thursday. For complete results …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USL-2 All-League Teams announced
Former MLS players Nelson Akwari, Mark Schulte and Mike Burke are among those players selected to the USL Second Division’s all-league first team. Former No. 1 SuperDraft pick Steve Shak was named to the second team.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Under-17 World Cup Preview
[VIDEO] The U.S. U-17 boys national team looks to advance to the knockout phase of the Under-17 World Cup for the third straight time when it competes at the 2007 Under-17 World Cup that begins Saturday in South Korea. The USA, which opens play against Tajikistan in Changwon on Monday (TV: ESPNU, live, 6:45 am ET), is the only country to have qualified for every U-17 world championship since FIFA’s youngest boys championship was launched as a U-16 championship in 1985.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Becks Sparkles, but Where Were the Fans?
He did exactly what he was supposed to do: David Beckham was the star man Wednesday night, scoring one and creating another as the L.A. Galaxy beat D.C. United, 2-0, at the Home Depot Center. Beckham started, played 60 minutes and marshaled the Galaxy midfield with his calmness on the ball, his passing and yes, […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Transfer Update: Dyer to West Ham; Sevilla Retains Alves
In transfer news, West Ham today finally completed the transfer of Kieron Dyer from Newcastle; the two parties finally agreed on a fee of $14 million. Reports say the Hammers are also still after Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen and Derby County winger Giles Barnes, although given the injury sustained by the former, that move is […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
English Referees Consider Injury Rule Change
English referees want to introduce “a radical change” to the Premier League’s laws, according to Henry Winter of the Telegraph. Following successful discussions with the League Managers’ Association and the Professional Footballers’ Association, the Professional Game Match Officials want to implement a new rule requiring players who foul opponents wait on the touchline until the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Feilhaber Ready for Premiership Debut
American Benny Feilhaber has officially completed his $2 million switch from Hamburg to Derby County of the English Premier League, although the midfielder has yet to suit up for his new club, owing to the complications involving international clearance, which manager Billy Davies says could “take anything up to a week.” However, if the youngster […]
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
NCAA Division I Men’s & Women’s Coaching Changes
Tony Guinn was named head women’s coach at Western Illinois, replacing Kevin Sherry, who filled the Louisiana Tech vacancy. For all 2007 Division I coaching changes …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Acquista replaces Montgomery at Adelphi
Carlo Acquista, who compiled an 18-57-10 record in five seasons at St. Francis (N.Y.), has been named the new Adelphi men’s head coach, replacing Bob Montgomery, who resigned his position after 29 years as head coach to head up MLS club New York Red Bulls’ youth program.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Lapira, 2006 Hermann Trophy winner, is among ’07 candidates
Notre Dame forward Joseph Lapira, the 2006 winner of the Men’s Hermann Trophy, is among the 29 players who are included in the 2007 Men’s Hermann Trophy watch list released by the NSCAA.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Texas A&M women favored in Big 12
Texas A&M has been picked to win the 2007 Big 12 women’s championship for the fourth consecutive year in a preseason vote of league head coaches.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Portland claims top spot in WCC women’s poll
Portland edged Santa Clara as the preseason favorite to take home the 2007 West Coast Conference women’s regular-season title, as voted on by the conference’s head coaches.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
UCLA favored in bid for fifth straight Pac-10 title
UCLA, which reached the national semifinals in 2006, has been tabbed as the favorite to win the 2007 Pac-10 women’s title by the Conference’s coaches.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Notre Dame and West Virginia women get nod in Big East
Notre Dame, the 2006 NCAA Division I women’s runner-up, and West Virginia have been tabbed as division favorites in the 2007 Big East preseason women’s poll.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Defending men’s national champ UCSB picked to win Big West
UC Santa Barbara was chosen to win the Big West men’s championship in the 2007 preseason coaches poll. The Gauchos, who won their first NCAA Division I national championship in 2006 and have won four of the last six Big West titles, led the way with six first-place votes and a total of 48 points.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Duke named ACC men’s favorite
Duke, which finished the 2006 regular-season as the No. 1 team in the Soccer America Top 25 men’s rankings, was named the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference preseason favorite, in a vote of the league’s nine head coaches.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
UCLA picked to take Pac-10 men’s title
UCLA, the 2006 NCAA Division I men’s runner-up, is picked to win the Pac-10, marking the sixth straight year the Bruins are the preseason pick to win the conference title.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Hanks heads Women’s Hermann Trophy watch list
Notre Dame’s Kerri Hanks, the 2006 Women’s Hermann Trophy winner, is among 46 players named to the 2007 Women’s Hermann Trophy watch list.