Columnist Dan Oshinsky has been trying to work out the U.S. equivalent to China’s first Olympic track and field gold medalist, Liu Xiang. And then he came up with an answer — the men’s national soccer team. Liu shattered for the Chinese “the stereotype that they cannot compete in any sprint-type event. Chinese regard him […]
Monthly Archives: August 2008
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Rangnick Vindicated By Hoffenheim’s Early Lead
Ten years ago, Ralf Rangnick, at that time coach of German second division leaders SSV Ulm, was mocked by the German soccer establishment after he appeared on German TV to explain how his team had succeeded by using a flat back four and zonal marking. The Germans still believed in the sweeper system, despite no […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
St. Louis Hires Brazilian WNT Coach Barcellos
The St. Louis women’s team due to start play in Women’s Professional Soccer next spring has hired Brazilian women’s team coach Jorge Barcellos to be its coach and general manager. “We’ll have a special look to the team with a lot of skill and creativity on the field,” promised Jeff Cooper, the team’s owner. “He […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Vide The Obscure
D.C. United’s new holding midfielder Joe Vide wasn’t supposed to be there. Not at D.C., who signed him up during an injury crisis after he was waived by San Jose, and not on the edge of the penalty area in a scoring position against the Colorado Rapids last weekend. But his left foot shot handed […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Schelotto The King Of The Assist
In the early days of Major League Soccer, assists were handed out to players like goody bags at a toddler’s birthday gig. Nowadays, a pass has to “unlock” the opposition defense to qualify as an assist, writes Shawn Mitchell, and this season it’s clear who is the chief locksmith — Columbus Crew’s Argentine playmaker, Guillermo […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Disney all-stars take fourth at Chelsea youth tournament
The Disney Soccer Showcase under-16 all-stars, chosen from players competing at the 2007 Disney’s Soccer Showcase, finished fourth in Chelsea Academy’s inaugural youth cup near London.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Red Bull U-17s beat Italian U-17 champion Inter Milan
The New York Red Bulls’ U-17s scored one of the biggest wins an MLS youth team has ever recorded when it beat Inter Milan’s Serie A U-17 championship team, 3-1, on on Saturday night in Newark, N.J.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Women’s Nike Friendlies Results
Play wrapped up Sunday at the 2008 Women’s Nike Friendlies at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif. Three U.S. youth national teams and 25 club teams from around the country played three games over the course of four days.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. under-15 girls dominate against U-17 powers
The U.S. under-15 girls national team won by scores of 5-0, 6-0 and 4-2 against U-17 club teams at the 2008 Women’s Nike Friendlies at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Carson, Calif.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Bailey stars for Surf at Nike Friendlies
[PLAYER OF THE WEEK] Allie Bailey led the San Diego Surf to a sweep of its three U-15 games at the Nike Women’s Friendlies with a team-high four goals.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Olympic hoax costs prep coach job
For years, soccer credentials of a dubious nature have been thrown about freely, but Josh Muscadin is one of the few ex-players to get caught telling a tall tale. References he made about having played on the 1984 U.S. Olympic men’s soccer team cost him his job at a Maine prep school when a newspaper’s work on a feature on Maine Olympians revealed the hoax.
Posted inYouth Soccer Reporter, Youth What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
”It’s become harder to find volunteer coaches. And because we have limited fields we have to start practice really early in the morning, and it’s just difficult to find volunteers to work at that time.”
— Key Biscayne (Fla.) Village Manager Genaro ”Chip” Iglesias, recommending the Key Biscayne council accept a one-year contract for Italian club AC Milan to run its youth soccer program. Key Biscayne’s soccer program has struggled to find volunteer coaches. Player fees for the Key Biscayne Milan Academy will mean an increase by more than $100 a month. (Miami Herald)
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
MORNING BRIEFING: SIU-E returns to Division I
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville takes its first baby steps in the move back to Division I men’s soccer when it travels to Des Moines, Iowa, this weekend to face Missouri State and Drake. SIUE has an illustrious past, having captured the NCAA Division I title in 1979, but the Cougars won’t be playing in the NCAA Tournament any time soon. ALSO: Motivation for Penn State.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Soccer America Men’s Preseason All-Americans
Connecticut’s O’Brian White, the 2007 Soccer America Men’s Player of the Year, heads the 2008 Soccer America Men’s Preseason All-Americans. White is one of four 2007 Soccer America MVP first-team selections named Preseason All-Americans. For all the first- and second-team selections …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
GOLAZO: Isom bomb makes ‘SportsCenter’
[VIDEO] LSU goalkeeper Mo Isom‘s goal on a 90-yard free kick made ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” cracking the top-five plays of the day at No. 4 on the countdown originally aired during the 10 p.m. broadcast.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
MORNING BRIEFING: UCLA gets scare in opener
Freshman forward Sydney Leroux, who has represented the USA and Canada internationally, saved No. 3 UCLA in its opening game. ALSO: Purdue comeback, new Niagara stadium and third-generation Bavasi makes college soccer debut.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Chicago Fire gets new president
[MLS] The Chicago Fire has named as its new president Dave Greeley, who told the Chicago Tribune that his soccer knowledge is “limited.”
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Goalkeeper Golazo
[OFF THE POST/VIDEO] Eduardo Martini of Brazilian club Avaí scored with a punt from his own penalty area – it took a bounce before beating his Parana counterpart – in his team’s 3-1 win.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I’ve done 150 games with him and can assume Mr. Pickel doesn’t signal any old s***.”
— Bundesliga referee Herbert Fandel, who ejected Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel for an assault on Borussia Dortmund’s Tamas Hajnal that was called by linesman Mike Pickel. Van Bommel, who had already been cautioned for a lethal tackle, claimed he was ejected because refs are out to get him. (Guardian)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Rough results on the road for MLS representatives
Both MLS teams will have to make up deficits in the home legs of their CONCACAF Champions’ League preliminary series after losing on the road Tuesday night. New England fell, 2-1, to Joe Public FC in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, and Chivas USA lost, 2-0, in Panama to Tauro FC. The second legs will be played next Tuesday at Gillette Stadium and Home Depot Center, respectively.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Johnson makes Cardiff debut
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Eddie Johnson debuted for Cardiff City in its 2-1 win over MK Dons in the English League Cup.
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 inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Hot Schelotto
Steve Davis makes 10 observations following the weekend’s MLS action, including due appreciation of Columbus’ Guillermo Barros Schelotto, this week’s league MVP.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Bradley’s Suitors
Both EPL side Middlesbrough and the Bundesliga’s SV Hamburg are “supposedly considering” a move for Heerenveen’s US national team midfielder Michael Bradley, but he’ll likely stay in Holland for now.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Getting To Know Carlos At The 19th Hole
Toronto FC coach John Carver is taking his team off golfing to a mountain resort for two days so that they can bond with each other and the team’s new signings, including striker Carlos Ruiz.