Monthly Archives: November 2008

Cathal Kelly outlines why David Beckham could stay in or leave Los Angeles. “Reasons To Stay: Pleasant weather; large, local supply of floppy wool hats; leaving would crush Tom Cruise. Reasons To Go: Playing on the worst team in a struggling league that’s not getting any better; would have faded entirely from the public mind […]

Former England, Newcastle and Manchester United striker Andy Cole has retired from the game after his contract with Championship club Nottingham Forest was terminated by mutual agreement. Cole’s 19-year career included a total of 187 goals in the Premier League, and with United he won the European Cup, five EPL titles, and two FA Cups.

“[Gary] Smith improved the team, plain and simple. He took a team that was foundering at 6-10-3 and collected 17 points in 11 games to finish the season.” The FC Rocky Soccer Blog makes the case both for and against (though largely for) the permanent appointment of Gary Smith as coach at the Colorado Rapids.

“Corruption lurks as a background concern for UEFA, but it is infrastructure that presents the more pressing problem for teams, fans and journalists. Donetsk is getting there, just about, but one venue is not enough.” Eastern Europe soccer expert Jonathan Wilson assesses the state of Poland and Ukraine’s soccer, transport and leisure infrastructure as both […]

“We are in first place in the group, but just by a hair and that’s not comfortable. We did not think it would be so much of a struggle in the qualification rounds. We are concerned because our expectations were to be already qualified. But we see light at the end of the tunnel. We […]

Although there’s no way of knowing for sure, Real Salt Lake would likely not have made the MLS postseason without its trio of midseason additions in the shape of Robbie Russell, Clint Mathis and Will Johnson, writes James Edward. It’s a view that garners credence from RSL coach Jason Kreis. “I really didn’t think we’d […]

Toronto FC owner Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment has given the team the go-ahead to sign a designated player. But, as Morgan Campbell reports, “that doesn’t mean they’re going to do it.” The team’s entire 2009 business plan was approved by the MLSE board of directors at an all-day meeting Monday. But TFC Chief Operating […]

The Chicago Fire’s visit to the Columbus Crew for Thursday’s Eastern Conference final will mark the return to Ohio of two key players from the Crew’s past. One is Fire forward Brian McBride, who from 1996 to 2003 scored 71 goals in 183 appearances for the Crew. The other is Jon Busch, the MLS Goalkeeper […]

It was easy to forget in the light of its shock playoff defeat to New York that the Houston Dynamo’s season is not yet over. The team still has to play its outstanding Concacaf Champions League group game at home to Salvadoran club Luis Angel Firpo on November 26, a game it must win to […]

If America’s image abroad has been improved overnight by the election of Barack Obama to the office of President, who’s to say that hasn’t bettered the country’s chances of hosting the World Cup in 2018 or 2022? U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati acknowledges that U.S. chances have been done no harm by the Democrat’s […]