[MLS WATCH] Coaches and players came and went, one DP dazzled while the other dallied, AEG pulled out of the Red Bulls’ operation once and for all, and at some point actual dirt was actually moved at the site of what is to be Red Bull Park. All that occurred during the first year of former U.S. international Jeff Agoos‘ tenure. His second year began this week with a new title, Sporting Director, and a much heavier workload following one season as Technical Director.
Monthly Archives: January 2008
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Perplexing InterLiga formula has its upside
[INTERLIGA] Winner of its first two group games, San Luis squandered a chance to capture the Group B title outright when it lost, 1-0, to Monterrey Tuesday at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. But it won the group anyway, when Cruz Azul broke a second-place tie with UNAM by beating Pumas, 1-0, in the nightcap.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Chicago set to name new coach
Ridge Mahoney examines the MLS coaching carousel
The Chicago Fire has narrowed its choices to replace coach Juan Carlos Osorio and is expected to make an announcement by the end of the week. Meanwhile, in his new position as New York Red Bulls head coach, Osorio is shaking up his assistant coaching staff, which could mark the departure of John Harkes.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“The players in MLS have worked very hard and sacrificed a great deal to build the league. I look forward to working for the players to help them achieve a better life for themselves and their families.”
— Eddie Pope, the new Director of Player Relations of the MLS Players Union. Pope, a U.S. veteran of three World Cups, played in each of MLS’s first 12 seasons for D.C. United, the MetroStars and Real Salt Lake before retiring after the 2007 season. (MLSnet.com)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Accent on youth
[U.S. WOMEN] All seven collegians whom new U.S. women’s national team coach Pia Sundhage called up for a six-day training camp at The Home Depot Center are among the 20 players she selected to travel to Foshan, China, for the 2008 Four Nations Tournament against Canada, Finland and host China Jan. 16-20 at the Foshan Sports Center Stadium.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Rapids keeper Coundoul called up by Senegal
[AFRICAN NATIONS CUP] Senegal called up Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul for the 2008 African Nations Cup that begins Jan. 20 in Ghana.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
English clubs face mass losses
[ENGLAND WATCH] An influx of African players has poured into England in recent years, and English clubs will face a mass exodus of players headed to the African Nations Cup, beginning Jan. 20 in Ghana
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
National High School Winter Rankings
Miami’s Varela High School (18-0-1) and California’s Santa Monica High School (12-0-1) share the top spot in the first NSCAA/adidas National Winter Boys High School Winter Rankings. Florida’s American Heritage (20-0-0) is first in the girls rankings.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Soccer Job Openings
[EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES] Soccer America provides the latest on employment opportunities for soccer-related positions: college coaching oportunities, positions in the pros, youth soccer, the soccer industry, even television.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Major League Soccer / Soccer United Marketing job
Major League Soccer / Soccer United Marketing Job Title Coordinator of New Media Public Relations Summary The Coordinator, New Media Public Relations increases the profile and improves the reputation of Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing through proactive public relations focused on emerging media. The ideal candidate is someone with an understanding of the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Derby Close to Three New Signings
It looks like Derby County manager Paul Jewell is finally putting his money where his mouth is: SportingLife reports that the Rams are closing in on three new midfielders: Blackburn Rovers’ Robbie Savage, Tottenham’s Hossam Ghaly, and free agent Laurent Robert, formerly of Levante in Spain. In the weeks leading up to the January transfer […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
MLS Rejects $1.7 Million Bid for Twellman
The New England Revolution has received a $1.675 million bid from English second division club Preston North End for Taylor Twellman, Boston Globe writer Frank Dell’Apa reports, citing an unnamed source. Major League Soccer, which owns its players’ contracts, has declined the offer, but Preston may raise the offer to $2 million. “Taylor just re-signed […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Red Bulls Stick with Reyna, Conway in ’08
The New York Red Bulls still have big plans for Claudio Reyna, according to Jeff Agoos, who was named club sporting director on Monday. “[Red Bulls coach] Juan (Osorio) has sat down with Claudio and we expect to have Claudio back and healthy,” he said. “We’re expecting a big season from Claudio.” Reyna had […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
MLS’s Scheduling Challenges
Nobody, it seems, likes the way Major League Soccer handles scheduling, but this is a truly thankless job, says ESPN’s Steve Davis. Among the factors organizers have to consider for next season: 2010 World Cup qualifying, the U.S. Open Cup, the SuperLiga, the new CONCACAF Champions League, ESPN2’s Thursday night matches, the David Beckham circus […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Berbatov Sale to Spark Spanish Fire Sale
ESPN’s Phil Ball says that if Dimitar Berbatov moves from Tottenham to Chelsea in the EPL, the move would create a ripple effect across Spain. The result would be “overflowing coffers at White Hart Lane,” which means Tottenham manager Juande Ramos would then be able to afford former player Dani Alves of Sevilla. Ramos has […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Pickens departure for England opens door for Cronin
[U.S. NATIONAL TEAM CAMP] Apparently, Fire keeper Matt Pickens wasn’t kidding a few months back when he hinted at trying his luck overseas. Instead of training with the U.S. national team at Home Depot Center, he’s on trial with Norwich City, a former English Premier League club now playing in the League Championship.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Dallas dealing for boost in D from Mexico
Ridge Mahoney examines decision-making at FCD
FC Dallas, which already boasted one of the better midfields in the league and threw away more than $800,000 for the disaster that was Denilson last season, actually might be ready to shell out real money to shore up its shaky back line. FCD invited Mexican international defender Duilio Davino to attend last weekend’s InterLiga games at Pizza Hut Park as its guest.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. captain Kristine Lilly to skip Olympics
[OLYMPICS] The most experienced member of the U.S. women’s national team has announced she won’t compete in the 2008 Olympic Games next summer should the USA succeed to qualify in April. Kristine Lilly, 36, who debuted in 1987 at age 16 and has scored 129 goals in 340 U.S. appearances, is due to give birth to her first child in July. “I’m not closing any doors as far as soccer,” said Lilly.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Fox Soccer Channel goes broadband
[TV WATCH] Fox Soccer Channel will offer soccer programming, including its coverage of the English Premier League, online on its new FoxSoccer.tv Web site.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Stielike leaves Ivory Coast after son hospitalized
[AFRICAN NATIONS CUP] Ivory Coast, one of the favorites to win the 2008 African Nations Cup that begins next week in Ghana, has temporarily replaced Coach Uli Stielike after the German’s son, Ulrich, fell into a coma Sunday.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. teen Jeffrey assists in debut with Belgian leader
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Former U.S. under-17 national team star Jared Jeffrey assisted on Belgian co-leader Club Brugge’s only goal in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Antalyaspor in Turkey.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Barbados ready to knock off USA
Paul Kennedy on the latest CONCACAF news
[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] The technical adviser to the Barbados national team, the USA’s probable opponent in the second round of World Cup qualifying, is “quietly confident” the Bajan Rockets can upset the CONCACAF giant if they meet in June. More chaos in Trinidad & Tobago, where Colombian Francisco Maturana has been named interim head coach of its national team after head coach Wim Rijsbergen was suspended for an altercation with T&T’s director of football, Lincoln Phillips — both formerly prominent figures on the U.S. soccer scene. For all the CONCACAF World Cup news …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“They’re the three people I’d trust with my wife naked. That’s how good they are as friends.”
— David Beckham on former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville, his personal manager Terry Byrne, and his pal Dave Gardner. (The Sun)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
English FA Cup Draw
Havant & Waterlooville, the only minor league club still alive in the FA Cup, could travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in the fourth round of the English FA Cup if they both win next week’s replays. Either Oldham or Huddersfield Town, both winners over EPL teams in the third round, will reach the final 16 after they were drawn against each other in the round of 32. The two guaranteed EPL clashes are Manchester United against Tottenham or Reading and defending champion Chelsea at Wigan. For the entire fourth-round draw …
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mixed Reception on Fabio’s First Day
Fabio Capello’s first day on the job as England coach was met with derision by FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who told BBC: “I would say it is a little surprising that the motherland of football has ignored a sacrosanct law or belief that the national team manager should be from the same country as the […]