For the first time since 2002, the French Ligue 1 is too close to call with two games remaining. Olympique Lyon, the incumbent now for six years running, maintains a slender two-point lead over second-place Bordeaux. Among the other intriguing storylines: Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc has a shot at the title in his first year; […]
Monthly Archives: May 2008
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
TSU, Dynamo to Build Shared Stadium?
Texas Southern University wants to join forces with MLS champ Houston Dynamo to build a $105 million 22,000 capacity stadium just east of the city’s downtown area, TSU athletic director Charles McClelland told the Houston Chronicle. The facility would be the joint-home of both the TSU Tigers and the Dynamo. McClelland alerted the city of […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Hamlett’s Long Road to Fire Coach
The Washington Post’s Steven Goff profiles the long and winding road taken by Denis Hamlett to become Head Coach of the Chicago Fire. Hamlett came to the U.S. from Costa Rica when he was just 10, eventually moving to the D.C. Metro area. Hamlett played college soccer at George Mason University. After college, he spent […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“It is a basic requirement that they have some command of English.”
— Britain’s immigration minister Liam Byrne, announcing that non-Europeans who want to play in the English Premier League will not be exempt from tougher immigration rules that will require passing an English-language test covering everyday phrases and simple conversation. (AFP)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The Sports Hernia Chronicles
[MLS] A week ago, Chivas USA forward Alecko Eskandarian came back from Germany. Next week, FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty will head over. With luck, both of them will be training and playing full-time within a few weeks following examinations by noted German surgeon Dr. Ulrike Muschaweck, whose proficiency in treating sports hernias affects athletes of different sports all over the world.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Fears of French fries shortage alleviated; but intestines needed
[OFF THE POST] The Swiss government has agreed to ease potato import restrictions following fears of a French fries shortage during next month’s European Championship, which the Swiss are co-hosting with Austria. The policy change makes way for the importation of an additional 5,600 tons of potatoes. The possibility of a sausage shortage, however, remains.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Texan starts for Pachuca in playoff loss
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Texan Juan Francisco Torres started and played the first half for Pachuca as it fell at home, 1-0, to San Luis in the first leg of their wild-card playoff game. San Luis’ U.S. U-23 defender Michael Orozco missed the game with a muscle injury.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Sounders FC sign first player, from Sounders
[MLS] Seattle Sounders FC, which begins MLS play in 2009, made its first player signing. Coming on board is French forward Sebastien Le Toux, who currently plays for USL-1 defending champion Seattle Sounders.
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
The Runs
I suppose it’s a pretty safe bet that no one would argue against the idea that soccer is all about movement? Running, jogging, jumping, twisting, turning, falling — that sort of thing.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Real crushes slumping Barcelona
[SPAIN] What better way to celebrate your title than to pound your archrival. That’s what Real Madrid did in crushing Barcelona, 4-1, at the Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. under-15 boys national team roster
[YOUTH] The U.S. under-15 boys national team is headed to Madrid Friday for 10-day camp. U-15 coach Jim Barlow, the Princeton University head coach, has named 20 players for the trip to Madrid, where they will take on, among others, youth teams from La Liga’s Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. For the complete U-15 roster …
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Blatter Seeks Foreigner Restrictions
FIFA President Sepp Blatter is once again calling for a quota system to limit the number of foreign players on each club team. His decision comes as a response to the Champions League dominance of the English Premier League over the past two seasons, during which time three of the competition’s four semifinalists have come […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Everton Eyes $9 Million Michael Bradley
The Liverpool Echo reports that Everton manager David Moyes has been eyeing U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley. According to the paper, Moyes has had a long-standing interest in the player,and sent over a scouting delegation to watch him play in Heerenveen’s Champions league playoff clash against Ajax. Unfortunately, the U.S. international was sent off after just […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Gallardo’s Adjustment Continues
Marcelo Gallardo, who played 44 times for Argentina and scored 14 goals, is one of the most accomplished players to play for D.C. United. Earning a guaranteed $1.9 million this season, he is the highest paid player in team history by some margin, which means the burden of expectation weighs heavily on his shoulders. “So […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Garber: MLS to Consider Champions League Concessions
In a conversation with Washington Post blogger Steven Goff, MLS Commissioner Don Garber pledges to ease the crowded MLS fixture list for clubs that qualify for next season’s Concacaf Champions League. “But don’t read too much into it,” Goff says, because both legs of the quarterfinal (February and early March) and the first leg of […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“There was no sex or drugs that night.”
— Police inspector Carlos Augusto Nogueira on the Ronaldo run-in with transvestite prostitutes, who recanted their accusations against the Brazilian striker. Ronaldo has lost a $4.8 million endorsement contract with a cell phone company because of the incident, although prostitution is not illegal in Brazil. (AP)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The rich get richer
[OFF THE POST] Newcastle United’s billionaire owner Mike Ashley won $2.5 million with a single spin of the roulette wheel when the ball landed on black 17 at a London casino. Ashley, ranked Britain’s 54th richest man, wears a Newcastle replica jersey with the No. 17 to his team’s games.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The cases for, and against, Kreis
[REF WATCH/VIDEO] A blatantly blown offside call in a 2-2 tie with the Galaxy last Saturday that cost Real Salt Lake a goal triggered a riposte from Coach Jason Kreis regarding officiating decisions that had gone against his team.Without passing judgment on Kreis’s timing or rhetoric, examining a few of the incidents and decisions reveals how a simple case of inadequate positioning can lead to a bad call, and how coaches and players may not be aware of instructions by which officials are directed to interpret certain situations.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. under-14 boys national team camp roster
[YOUTH] The U.S. under-14 boys national team is taking part in an eight-day camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., under the supervision of Coach Manny Schellscheidt. For the complete roster …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The rise of FC Dallas’ Arturo Alvarez
Shifting to a three-man back line is the most visible difference between last year and this year for FC Dallas, yet another, more subtle change may have even greater long-term effects. A flank midfielder for most of his five-year pro career, Arturo Alvarez is playing up top for FC Dallas as a speedy, raiding foil for the burly Kenny Cooper and attacking midfielder Juan Toja.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Soccer Job Openings
[EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES] Soccer America provides the latest on employment opportunities for soccer-related positions. They include college coaching opportunities, as well as opportunities in pro soccer, youth soccer, the soccer industry and television.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. Soccer Development Academy Results
The New York Red Bulls and U.S. youth national team, the only unbeaten teams in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s U-17/18 Group, went 1-0-1 in weekend action. Carmel United Soccer Club, which entered the weekend with the best winning percentage of any team in the U-15/16 Group, fell to Vardar, 4-1, and was held to a 1-1 tie by the Michigan Wolves on its trip to the Detroit area. For all the weekend results and goal scorers …
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
RSL’s Kreis Has Harsh Words for MLS Refs
Real Salt Lake Coach Jason Kreis on Monday chastised Major League Soccer’s referees for a series of poor decisions that have cost his team valuable points. “I have a team doing their best to reward fans through a frustrating time and a frustrating few years. I feel the players are doing what they need to, […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Landon Donovan on Fast Start and Beckhamania
In an interview with The New York Times’ Jack Bell, Landon Donovan reflects on “Beckhamania” and his burgeoning partnership with the world’s most recognizable soccer star. “It was, believe it or not, as incredible an experience to be a part of as it seemed at the time,” the L.A. Galaxy striker said. “This year, I […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Crestfallen Ronaldo Responds to Media
By now you’ve probably heard the unfortunate story of three-time former World Player of the Year Ronaldo. Last week, the AC Milan striker invited three prostitutes back to a hotel only to find out once he got to the hotel room that they were transvestites. The media, of course, has delighted in the Brazilian legend’s […]