Monthly Archives: September 2007

Hooliganism, once a rampant problem in England, is threatening to undermine soccer in Argentina, says SI.com’s Gregory Saha, who says that Argentine gangs have never had so much influence over the sport. “Futbol,” he says, “has taken a back seat to violence and corruption” — which is a shame, because the Argentine league has the […]

Israel Smells Blood; Heskey Recalled for England

It’s no secret that England is taking a depleted squad into Saturday’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifier at Wembley, and Israel knows it. The complete list of unavailable England players is as follows: David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch, Ben Foster, Ledley King, Gary Neville, Sol Campbell, Jonathan Woodgate, Wayne Bridge, Kieron Dyer, Aaron […]

Section 2 Around the Net, Story

How Long Before Bradley Calls Up Altidore?

Jozy Altidore’s name was conspicuous by its absence when U.S. coach Bob Bradley announced his squad list for tomorrow’s friendly against Brazil. Maybe it was the calf injury the 17-year-old Altidore picked up playing against the New England Revolution two weeks ago. But ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle says that had Altidore been healthy, he probably wouldn’t […]

Section 2 Around the Net, Story

How Come Nobody Supports Chivas?

Another conspicuous absence was on exhibit last night at the Home Depot Center, says Ian Plenderleith of USSoccerPlayers, as Chivas USA battled D.C. United to a 2-2 draw. Granted, it was a weeknight game, but 9,306 pales badly in comparison with the crowds drawn by the Galaxy, L.A.’s other team — and even without David […]

Soccer on TV., Story

Soccer on TV

In addition to the USA’s friendly with Brazil on Sunday, this weekend’s action includes Euro 2008 qualifiers, six MLS clashes, the U-17 World Cup final — and the Women’s World Cup kicks off Monday.

Soccer America Men’s Top 25 Results & Schedules

[FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE] No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Virginia. No. 4 Maryland and No. 5 Santa Clara all fell. Maryland’s 1-0 loss to No. 21 West Virginia was the only loss to a ranked team.

Goal Patrol, UConn’s secret weapon

by Paul KennedySeptember 7, 2007

Who has the best fans in men’s college soccer? In recent years, Maryland’s Ludwig Field has been a happening place. UC Santa Barbara’s supporters are the best on the West Coast. But for a quarter century, the atmosphere at UConn games has been unsurpassed. The No. 6 Huskies’ Goal Patrol will be at work this weekend for their matches against South Carolina and FIU at the UConn/adidas Classic.

Resurgent Akron takes aim at No. 1 Wake Forest

Akron is back in the national picture and looks to knock off No. 1 Wake Forest when the experience-laden Zips travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., Friday for the Wake Forest University Tournament. Akron, ranked No. 1 in the final Soccer America Top 25 of the 2005 regular season but univited to the 2006 NCAA Division I Tournament, opened with a 2-0 win over ranked New Mexico and a 1-0 victory over tough UAB to move into the Soccer America Top 25 this week at No. 16.

Penn State’s mastery of UConn continues

[THURSDAY ACTION] Penn State continued its domination of Connecticut with a 1-0 victory on the NSCAA’s first Women’s College Match of the Week on Fox Soccer Channel. Aubrey Aden-Buie and Alyssa Naeher were the heroes for the Nittany Lions, who are now 6-0-1 against UConn.

Rocky Mountain powers BYU and Colorado triumph

[THURSDAY ACTION] No. 19 BYU and No. 20 Colorado prepared for their Rocky Mountain showdown on Saturday in Boulder with wins over Kansas, 1-0, and Utah, 4-2, respectively.

Soccer America Women’s Top 25 Results & Schedules

[FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE] No. 3 Santa Clara crushed No. 2 Notre Dame, 7-1, at its annual adidas Classic. No. 6 North Carolina edged No. 4 Texas A&M, 2-1, at its Nike Classic.

Farce and flair bind D.C. and Chivas USA, 2-2

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 7, 2007

Former Belgium national team coach Guy Thys once said, “Soccer is a very cruel game.” Thursday night, Chivas USA and D.C. proved it can also be farcical and embarrassing as well as enthralling. D.C. jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a Luciano Emilio‘s thunderbolt and follow-up of a Brad Guzan bobble, then conceded a goal drilled off an opponent by its goalkeeper and a deflected equalizer to end up tied, 2-2.

Nigeria meets Spain in U-17 World Cup final

German keeper Rene Vollath had a rough day in his team’s 3-1 loss to Nigeria, which earned a date with Spain in the U-17 World Cup final on Sunday (6 am ET, live on ESPNU & Galavision).

USA takes losing streak into Brazil friendly

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 7, 2007

Instead of playing Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, a harsh environment for any team, the U.S. national team gets a home game. The catch is, it’s against Brazil, which is bringing Ronaldinho and Kaka and a few more of its many stars to the encounter Sunday (4 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Univision) at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Soccer America Daily, What They're Saying

What They’re Saying

“I think Victoria’s lifestyle affected his game. He was a really great footballer and had a terrific talent, but everyone is different and his lifestyle has gone in a different direction.”

— Former Manchester United and England great Bobby Charlton assesses David Beckham. (The Scotsman)

Can New York dazzle at The Depot?

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 7, 2007

[MLS PREVIEW] New York’s attack has dazzled at times this season while its inconsistent defense has struggled, so a solid showing at both ends of the field in beating Chicago, 1-0, last week gives it an ideal starting point to test Chivas USA’s impressive home record.

The clash of Eastern Conference class

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 7, 2007

[MLS PREVIEW] The class of the Eastern Conference goes head-to-head for the last time in the regular season with D.C. holding the upper hand by virtue of tying the Revs, 1-1, at RFK May 3 and beating them, 3-0, at Gillette Stadium Aug. 5.

Will Colorado’s ex-Galaxy players haunt L.A.?

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 7, 2007

[MLS PREVIEW] Having been scored upon by ex-Galaxy forward Robbie Findley in a 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake last week, might LA be victimized by Herculez Gomez or Ugo Ihemelu this week?

Woeful Toronto limps to Dallas

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 7, 2007

[MLS PREVIEW] How can a dire situation get even worse? In the case of Toronto, to a league-record scoreless streak (642 minutes) drought tack on an injury to its best striker.

Sputtering Dynamo meets resurgent Salt Lake

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 7, 2007

[MLS PREVIEW] The Dynamo can ill afford another slip-up at home, and its clash with Real salt Lake has banana peel written all over it.

Fire faces cruising Crew

by Ridge MahoneySeptember 7, 2007

[MLS PREVIEW] The regional rivals Columbus and Chicago, separated by a five-hour drive and just two points in the standings, meet for the only time this season at Crew Stadium.

Chivas USA executive Leon resigns

Javier Leon, the young Mexican executive who oversaw the launch of MLS’s Chivas USA, is leaving his post to pursue other endeavors, including the prospect of outside projects with Antonio Cue, Chivas USA President and Co-Owner.

Young midfield holds key to Germany’s Women’s World Cup chances

by Paul KennedySeptember 7, 2007

[THE FAVORITES] Soccer America begins its examination of the favorites to win the Women’s World Cup with a look at defending Women’s World Cup champion Germany, which starts its title defense Monday when it faces Argentina in the opening game of the 2007 finals at the 34,000-seat Shanghai Hongkou Football in China. Three-time Women’s World Player of the Year Birgit Prinz leads the German attack, but a young midfield featuring highly touted Kosovo-born Fatmire Bajramaj could hold the key to success.

AEG’s MLS Sales

[MAKING A LIST] Anschutz Entertainment Group, which once owned six of MLS’s 10 clubs, now owns just two (of 13 clubs) following Thursday’s announcement it had sold the Chicago Fire to Andell Holdings, a Los Angeles-based private investment firm with global business and investment interests controlled by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Hauptman.