Boston University, Jacksonville and UC Irvine won men’s conference titles on Saturday. Jacksonville came back from 3-1 down to defeat Campbell, 4-3, in the Big South final and end Campbell’s school-record 12-game winning streak. On Friday, top-ranked Wake Forest lost for the first time in 25 games when it fell to Virginia, 3-2, in the ACC semifinals. For all the results and schedules …
Monthly Archives: November 2008
MORNING BRIEFING: Minutemen ride again
Massachusetts, the surprise of last year’s Men’s College Cup, was almost written off half way through the 2008 campaign, but the Minutemen look set to return to the NCAA Division I Men’s Tournament after running off six straight wins to earn the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic-10 Tournament, which continues Friday with the semifinals at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
Comeback Crew does it again to quench Fire
[MLS SEMIFINAL] The team that launched the second era of Major League Soccer is headed to its first MLS Cup. In a raucous Columbus Crew Stadium, which when unveiled in 1999 set off a succession of soccer-specific facilities that have redefined the league’s existence, the home team erased a 1-0 Chicago lead for a 2-1 win that secured a spot in the championship game Nov. 23.
REPORT CARD: Columbus-Chicago
Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the players’ performance in Columbus’ 2-1 semifinal win over Chicago. …
Donovan-Bayern ‘Flirtation’ Heats Up
Plaudits for Landon Donovan from Bayern Munich imply his 10-day training stint with the German power may yet turn into a long-term relationship. For his part, Donovan said, “I’m ready” and was quoted as saying some things his MLS colleagues might not be too happy about. The tabloid Bild, meanwhile, managed to invoke Barack Obama in its Donovan coverage.
Americans find their stride
[UNDER-17 WOMEN’S WORLD] Since getting through the group stage — with great difficulty — the USA has found its stride at the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. The Americans moved into Sunday’s final in Auckland against North Korea with victories over group winners South Korea (4-2) and Germany (2-1). Here’s a look at Coach Kazbek Tambi‘s starters from the last two games.
What They’re Saying
“High Praise from Klinsmann: Donovan is for Ready Bayern”
— German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung after the first three days of Landon Donovan‘s 10-day training stint with Bayern Munich.
Galaxy defender is Rookie of the Year
[MLS AWARD] Sean Franklin of the Los Angeles Galaxy, which led the league in goals conceded, has been named the 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year.
Capello bans fries in England camp
[ENGLAND] England’s Italian manager Fabio Capello has tackled the unhealthy home diet by banning ketchup and fries from national team camps.
Juve moves up to second in Serie A
[ITALY] In Serie A pre-weekend action, Juventus moved up to second spot after beating Genoa 4-1
Storybook teams clash in splendid setting
[MLS SEMIFINAL PREVIEW] The 2008 MLS playoffs have conjured up two wonderfully warm and fuzzy stories, but one of them must end in the Western Conference final on Saturday when Real Salt Lake hosts the New York Red Bulls (9:30 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Espanol, HDNet).
Rapids To Play Like Arsenal? Forget It
Here we go again, deja vu with knobs on one more time. The Colorado Rapids have gone for an English coach. They should take a look at their own history. Their very first coach, back in 1996, was a highly touted Englishman, Bob Houghton. A total flop who was fired after just that one season. Having brought with him his English notions about soccer, having failed to realize that they’re not good enough for the American scene.
Pickup vs. Organized (Coaches Survey)
For today’s youth soccer player in the United States, there exist two prevailing systems under which their sporting experiences take place. One can be referred to as the institutionalized or organized approach, where the athlete plays and trains under the direct supervision of coaches and administrators.
Van Nistelrooy Out For Season
Real Madrid has confirmed that its Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy is out for the season with a partially torn meniscus in his right knee.
Houston Never Gave Up Wanting To Win
“Perhaps legendary football coach Vince Lombardi said it best: Winning isn’t the only thing, but wanting to win is. No statement could better capture the final moments of the Dynamo’s stunning loss to the New York Red Bulls on Sunday before a packed Robertson Stadium.” Bernardo Fallas lauds Houston and its fans for their attitude […]
Checketts: Kreis Had The Passion
“I’m not nearly self-confident enough to say I knew what I was doing. But if you’ve been around pro sports long enough you can quickly pick up when someone has a fire in their stomach which can lead to success in their profession.” Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts looks back on his appointment early […]
Angel: All Credit To Osorio
“[New York Coach Juan Carlos Osorio] took over a team that’s been losing. Then you have one of your Designated Players retiring, then arguably the best young player in this country was sold to Europe. Then toward the end of the year you have two guys suspended for performance-enhancing substances. So it hasn’t been easy.” […]
Seedorf Doubts Beckham Can Play For Milan
“I don’t even know if he’ll be able to play for us. I mean the first goal is for him to get fit and in the best shape possible. But I don’t know if he’ll play, that’s another thing completely.” AC Milan’s Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf adds himself to the list of doubters about David […]
Ronaldo’s Reps Ready To Talk
Cristiano Ronaldo’s representatives are ready to begin talks with Manchester United over a new contract, even though he penned a five-year deal last year for $179,000 a week, reports Andy Hunter. United, however, want to wait until the end of this season before resuming talks. Ronaldo, 23, is 19 months into the five-year contract, and […]
Police To Investigate Drogba Coin-Throwing
London police are to investigate the incident that saw Chelsea striker Didier Drogba throw a coin back into the crowd during his team’s League Cup defeat at home to Burnley Wednesday. Drogba, who apologized for his behavior after the match, threw an object back into the section of Burnley supporters behind the goal moments after […]
FIFA To Review 2018/2022 World Cup Bidding Timetable
Soccer’s world governing body FIFA is reviewing its plan to hold a dual tender for hosting rights to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Matt Scott reports. A quarter of the 24 members on FIFA’s powerful executive committee last month questioned the plan. They said that, with the vote set for March 2011, deciding the […]
Maradona May Quit As Argentina Coach
Argentine media reported Wednesday that Diego Maradona may quit as Argentina coach over his choice of an assistant, after just one week in charge. Maradona is due to make his coaching debut in Glasgow next week in a friendly against Scotland. The reports said Maradona has run into a deadlock with Argentina soccer federation President […]
Wynalda: Will Donovan Test Himself?
Eric Wynalda’s been uncharacteristically quiet of late, but he spoke to Andrea Canales about Landon Donovan’s current training stint with Bayern Munich and a possible long-term move to Europe. “This is a gut check to see how much heart you have,” Wynalda said. “It’s not how much skill you have. It’s a test. My only […]
SCOREBOARD: NCAA Division I Women
USC begins its NCAA Division I women’s title defense Thursday against Boston University in in Provo, Utah. In Thursday’s other first-round game, regional host BYU, the Mountain West champion, faces surprise ACC finalist Virginia Tech. For all the first-round matchups …
SOCCER AMERICA INTERVIEW: Oklahoma State’s Yolanda Odenyo
Swede Yolando Odenyo is a big reason Oklahoma State tied a school record with 17 wins and enters the NCAA Division I Women’s Tournament. Odenyo earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. She talks about the Cowgirls’ chances in the NCAA Tournament.
