Despite the presence of Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, the weekend’s Free Kick Masters event at Reliant Stadium, Houston, was something of a lost opportunity, writes Jen Chang in a highly entertaining column. The organizers, who reported a 45,000 crowd that “was more in the range of 25,000,” weren’t helped by the late withdrawals of […]
Monthly Archives: July 2008
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mastroeni, 31, Ready To Leave For Europe
Outfield soccer players are generally regarded as being at the peak of their careers in their mid- to late-twenties, so it’s all the more remarkable to hear Colorado Rapids and U.S. midfielder Pablo Mastroeni, 31, announce that at the end of the current major League Soccer season he’ll be heading for Europe. And it […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Osorio Can’t Wait For Transfer Window
After being knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup by third-tier Crystal Palace Baltimore, the New York Red Bulls celebrated Independence Day with a 4-0 lashing at the Colorado Rapids. Coach Juan Carlos Osorio knew exactly where to place the blame — on the players. And he warned them that once the transfer window opens […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The Task Ahead For Spain’s Quiet Man
Freshly crowned European champion Spain is expected to appoint Vicente del Bosque as its new coach this week, writes Ian Hawley. And the former Real Madrid boss could be just the man to lead Spain’s young and talented squad to further titles. Del Bosque had a reputation for being docile at Real Madrid, because […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Why The Euros Don’t Need Expansion
Few people are disputing that we’ve just experienced the most attacking and entertaining European Championships of modern times. Yet Europe’s soccer governing body, UEFA, has decided that even something which isn’t broken must need fixing, writes Paul Wilson. That’s why it has tabled a proposal to extend the championships from 16 to 24 teams, starting […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Salt Lake plagued by Kreis’ blurred vision
The pieces are in place for Salt Lake City to join the growing cast of MLS cities offering fans a decent product in facilities that range from adequate to superb.
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
Thursday night’s MLS game pits Salt Lake against Houston. Three MLS games take place on Independence Day, including a clash between the best of the West (Los Angeles) and Eastern Conference leader New England. Two more MLS games take place Saturday.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Spain Top Latest FIFA Rankings
But the United States has slipped nine places to number 30.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Messi, Aguero in Argentine Olympic Squad
The roster inclusion of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero will make Argentina the team to watch (and beat) at next month’s Olympic Games.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Where’s Joe Lapira Now?
American Joe Lapira made his international debut in New York 14 months ago, playing for his mother’s Republic of Ireland against Ecuador at Giants Stadium. Now he’s turning out for Nybergsund Idrettslag Trysil in the Norwegian second division in front of home crowds of around 700, but he’s not complaining. The former Notre Dame […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
French Victim of Barton Assault Slams Newcastle
Newcastle United’s England midfielder Joey Barton this week escaped a second prison term when a lenient court gave him a suspended sentence and 200 hours of community service for a vicious assault on French player Ousmane Dabo. Now Dabo, who was attacked by Barton at their former club Manchester City’s training ground last year, has […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Dynamo Aims To Bring Back Jaqua
Another former MLS striker returning from a quick stay in Europe could be Nate Jaqua, reports Bernardo Fallas. According to Houston Dynamo President Oliver Luck, Jaqua has been offered a contract to re-sign for Houston, who would then pass him on to Seattle in time for its debut MLS season in 2009. Jaqua is […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Crew Navigating Rules In Attempts To Sign Noonan
Former New England Revolution forward Pat Noonan reportedly wants to return from Norway to Major League Soccer and sign for the Columbus Crew. The Crew would like to have him, is happy to pay a “modest” transfer fee to his current side, and can fit the U.S. international under its salary cap. But such a […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
France Keeps Domenech As Coach
The French Football Federation has announced that national team coach Raymond Domenech will remain in charge, despite France’s mediocre performance at Euro 2008. France finished bottom of its group with one point and one goal from its three games against Romania, Holland and Italy. “Domenech’s record is not that bad as coach. It is […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Some MLS dates, and rules, make no sense
The contract guarantee date has come and gone, yet not all MLS players still employed are assured of being paid in full for their 2008 services. This is just one more topic for the MLS Players’ Union to address as it bargains for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, to take effect for the 2010 season.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
MLS TV Schedule
Major League Soccer’s July 4 weekend begins Thursday when Real Salt Lake hosts defending champion Houston in a key Western Conference battle. Three games take place on July 4, and the weekend action concludes with a Fox Soccer Channel doubleheader on Saturday. For all the MLS matchups and television schedule …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
U.S. under-20 men’s national team roster
U.S. under-20 men’s national team coach Thomas Rongen has named five MLS players to the roster that will compete against the Mexico U-20 national team on July 12 in Laredo, Texas. The roster includes three players from FC Dallas — Josh Lambo, Brek Shea and Anthony Wallace — Chivas USA’s Jorge Flores, who has scored three goals this season, and Brandon Manzonelli, who joined the New England Revolution in late May from the Villarreal (Spain) youth system. For the complete roster …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
VIVA World Cup a celebration of culture
[OFF THE POST] With the end of the Euro 2008 festivities, soccer fans may be looking for a taste of international soccer to whet their appetite. Look no further than the VIVA World Cup. You may have some difficulty getting to the Arctic to attend the tournament, and the games probably won’t be on TV, but it’s hard to find a tournament with more international appeal.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Brazilian forward Jo seals Man City switch
[TRANSFER TALK] Brazilian Jo may be in the doghouse of Brazilian national team coach Dunga, but he’s certainly a hot commodity on the international transfer market, as reflected by the $36 million it’s believed Manchester City paid CSKA Moscow to acquire the 21-year-old striker.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
No stopping U.S. women
[OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN] The USA continued its domination of Norway with a 4-0 victory on Wednesday in Fredrikstad — the 10th straight win by the Americans over the Norwegians.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Busy month broadens Team of the Month recipients
[MLS AWARDS] With four MLS teams competing in SuperLiga, the first round of which concludes just in time for the All-Star Game, the load of league matches in July will decrease significantly from that of June, during which five weekends of play helped sort out teams in both conferences. Sort of.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“Whether the fish was caught up in soccer ball fever in the aftermath of the European Championship and hence snapped at the ball can unfortunately not be determined.”
— Police statement after a 6 1/2-foot-long catfish was found dead in a Bavarian canal, floating on the surface of the water with a blue-and-white soccer ball in its mouth. (AP)
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
The obscenity of the shootout
After the excitement of Euro 2008, came the drama of the Libertadores Cup. The second leg of the final, played last night, between Fluminense of Brazil and LDU of Ecuador, promised much. A jammed Maracana Stadium, LDU surprisingly leading, 4-2, from the first leg — and so there was to be expected the thrill of an all-out attacking game from Fluminense.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Rising Star Profile: Luke Sassano
[MLS] Luke Sassano has earned eight starts in 12 appearances in his rookie year for the New York Red Bulls. After playing the majority of his soccer (high school, club and college) in Northern California, Sassano has made a seamless transition to the East Coast. Find out what the best advice the former Cal Bear got from a youth coach in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers Sassano’s on- and off-field experiences …
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Nelsen gets Olympic Green Light
Former D.C. United central defender Ryan Nelsen gets the nod from his club side Blackburn Rovers to play for New Zealand at this summer’s Olympic Games.