Just over a week after his return was hailed by the home crowd at RFK Stadium, D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen underwent further surgery on his left ankle Monday, reports Paul Tenorio. According to team spokesman Doug Hicks, the surgery was “to try to help the healing process. This is not expected to end his […]
Monthly Archives: July 2008
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Is Asia Tiring Of Exploitative Club Tours?
At the end of last season, German champion Bayern Munich played an exhibition game in India against Mohun Bagan in front of 125,000 fans, pocketing around $3 million for its troubles. But that money, which was put up by a private Indian company, could surely have been better invested to the benefit of Indian soccer, […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Newcastle denies Bin Laden family’s offer
[OFF THE POST] Newcastle United has denied reports that the Saudi Binladen Group (SBG), a multinational construction conglomerate whose chief executive is Osama Bin Laden‘s half-brother Bakr Bin Laden, has made a $600 million bid for the English Premier League team.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Kewell move to Turkey angers Leeds fans
[TRANSFER TALK] Australian national team captain Harry Kewell has completed a move to Turkish champions Galatasaray, signing a two-year deal with the Istanbul club.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I would die fighting for people’s rights, but if I don’t get that chance, I would like to die playing soccer.”
— Bolivia President Evo Morales, who has seen action for second division club Litoral this season and credits his soccer background – he founded a team at age 13 and was its captain and coach – for his leadership skills. (Guardian)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Osorio makes moves to revive Red Bulls
From the first day he took the job Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio has been fixated on rebuilding and renovating the MLS team that has promised the most and delivered the least. Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney explains why the next few months will reveal if Osorio can truly transform a team.
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Galaxy Needs More Beckham for Its Bucks
Can David Beckham work his soccer magic only when he’s operating out on the right flank? Is that the only area of the field in which he’s effective?
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Ronaldinho and Messi headed to Olympics
[OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN] The 2008 Olympic men’s soccer competition will be a star-studded event, headed by Barcelona stars Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, who will lead Brazil and defending champion Argentina, respectively. Italian-American Giuseppe Rossi is in Italy’s team. New Zealand has called up five current or former U.S. collegians. For all the Olympic men’s news …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. women triumph in Sundhage homecoming
[OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN] The U.S. women’s national team moved to 19-0-1 under first-year coach Pia Sundhage when it defeated Sweden, 1-0, on a 39th-minute goal from midfielder Carli Lloyd to complete a sweep of two matches in Scandinavia.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USL-1 Results
The Charleston Battery beat the defending champion Seattle Sounders, 1-0, to open up a four-point lead at the top of the USL First Division. For all the results and goal scorers …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Barcelona president fights on
[SPAIN] Barcelona president Joan Laporta lost a confidence vote but survived his post and vowed see out his term through 2010. During his tenure, Barcelona signed a five-year commercial agreement with MLS that includes its two-game U.S. tour this summer.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS Results
Chivas USA moved into a tie atop the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Galaxy while New England held tight to its lead in the East. For the up-to-date MLS standings and leading scorers, all the weekend summaries and this week’s TV schedule. …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Colorado provides the most fireworks
[MLS NAMES & NUMBERS] A thumping by Colorado completed a miserable week for the New York Red Bulls, who were eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup by USL-2 club Crystal Palace Baltimore on Tuesday. David Beckham scored the Galaxy’s lone goal in a loss to the Revs. For highlights and lowlights of last week’s MLS action. …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Adu, Bradley may be headed to Monaco
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Freddy Adu, who spent the 2007-08 season with Portugal’s Benfica, for which he appeared in only 11 games, may be headed to French first division club Monaco, whose president is French-American Jerome de Bontin. French and Dutch media also report that Monaco is making a $13 million offer to Dutch club Heerenveen for U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I can’t wait for the 15th of July, when we can sign some players and make a very competitive team. Because at the moment, I think all of our players have had the chance to shine and stake a claim and a lot of them refuse to do that.”
— New York Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio after his team fell, 4-0, at Colorado to drop to 5-5-5 and second-to-last in the Eastern Conference. (mlsnet.com)
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
Galaxy Needs More Beckham for Its Bucks
Can David Beckham work his soccer magic only when he’s operating out on the right flank? Is that the only area of the field in which he’s effective?
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Backline: Soccer is de Bontin’s Passion
After years of involvement in U.S. soccer, French-born Jerome de Bontin takes over at Monaco.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS: Second Wave of Argentines
A fresh influx of South American players includes numerous Argentines who have taken spots on league rosters as MLS tries to upgrade its quality and intensity.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
U.S. Soccer: Another Option at Outside Back
A heavy schedule of games in 2007 opened the door for several hopefuls to make their mark with the national team, and one of the players to emerge was left back.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Americans Abroad: Exciting Season for U.S. Exports
Several Americans abroad suffered the indignity of relegation, but others helped their teams avoid the drop and four lifted trophies.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
MLS: The Saving of Santino Quaranta
By his own admission, Santino Quaranta should have been dead from all the drugs he took. He was a “full-blown addict” until he hit bottom last fall and sought treatment. With the help from friends, Quaranta is again playing in MLS.
Posted inSoccer America Magazine, Story
Youth Beat: Will MLS Youth Investment Pay Off?
MLS clubs are buying into the notion that they can produce homegrown stars.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
McClair Tipped to Be Fergie’s Number Two
If Alex Ferguson’s assistant Carlos Queiroz leaves Manchester United to coach Portugal, former forward and current youth academy director Brian McClair could be his replacement.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ballack Cool On New Chelsea Deal
With one year left on his current contract, Chelsea’s German midfielder Michael Ballack says he’s in no rush to sign a new one.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Yobo Gets Extended Leave After Brother’s Abduction
Everton’s Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo has been allowed an extended leave by the club after his brother was abducted in Port Harcourt at the weekend.