The mind of Christopher Sullivan works in myriad ways, and dozens of times a year, during telecasts of MLS matches or international games, viewers of Fox Soccer Channel hear the views and ideas of a former U.S. international steeped in many facets of the game. He played collegiately at the University of Tampa and professionally […]
Monthly Archives: April 2009
Youth Beat: MLS Shakes Up Youth Game
North Texas provides an example of how the youth landscape is changing now that MLS has entered the fray.
MLS: A Heavy Responsilbility
As MLS expands so does its need for players. Five players in MLS this year typify categories of players on which the league must depend because of financial constraints and other factors. Each carries a heavy responsibility in his team’s fortunes.
2009 MLS Preview: Western Conference
1 – Salt LakeTeam on the rise has eye on the big prize Clint Mathis says he’s healthier and fitter than he’s been the past few years, and that could be bad news for the rest of MLS. “I feel good,” said Mathis after scoring both goals in a 2-1 Real Salt Lake win over […]
2009 MLS Preview: Eastern Conference
1 – ColumbusWarzycha takes over top job at top team One might forgive fans of the Columbus Crew if they feel somewhat aggrieved despite celebrating their first MLS Cup triumph just four months ago. Head coach Sigi Schmid, who in three seasons transformed the Crew from bottom-feeder to top dog, bolted for Seattle, and in […]
Soccer America Classifieds
Welcome to Soccer America Classifieds, Soccer America’s email newsletter connecting soccer companies and organizations to Soccer America members each week. Soccer America Classifieds feature soccer classified advertisements on the latest soccer job openings, soccer products and soccer opportunities. Read Soccer America Classifieds each Wednesday.
Soccer on TV
Catch a full slate of MLS and Mexican league games this weekend. In Europe, Clint Dempsey’s Europe takes on Liverpool. Manchester United tries to protect its slim lead in the EPL as they square off against Brad Friedel’s Aston Villa. WPS marches on as FC Gold Pride hosts the Boston Breakers in Santa Clara, California.
Three crucial battles on tap
[WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING] On Wednesday, the first team could qualify for the 2010 World Cup, joining host South Africa in the 32-team field. Australia would clinch a berth in the finals with a victory over Uzbekistan in a game that kicked off at 5 a.m. ET and a tie between Bahrain and Qatar later in the day. The Australia-Uzbekistan match launched a crucial day of World Cup qualifying. Here’s a look at the most intriguing games, all available on television, on each of the three continents other than Concacaf on a day when there will be a full slate of games …
Lineup changes in store for USA
[HEXAGONAL] Unlike people in many professions, soccer players seldom sulk or mope after a disappointing game, usually because there’s another one right around the corner. Except for those rare occasions when a season or cup run ends in excruciating fashion, players must get on with it. After scraping out a 2-2 tie in San Salvador Saturday despite being outplayed for most of the match and falling behind, 2-0, the U.S. players can’t wait to rectify their reputations.
By the Numbers: USA strong at home
[HEXAGONAL] History favors the USA when it meets Trinidad & Tobago in World Cup qualifying Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn., (TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Galavision.
What They’re Saying
“Obviously they (USA) will have at the back of their minds that we were the last team to defeat them in a World Cup qualifier (last year) so I think they are going to want to come at us and we would need to frustrate them for as long as possible.”
— Midfielder Chris Birchall of Trinidad & Tobago, which faces the USA Wednesday in Nashville. T&T defeated the USA, 2-1, in the semifinal round of 2010 World Cup qualifying after the USA had already clinched passage into the final round. (Trinidad & Tobago Express)
El Salvador coach leaves hospital
[HEXAGONAL] Ever wonder what the impact of a tense match like Saturday’s World Cup qualifier between the USA and El Salvador has on a coach? El Salvador coach Carlos de los Cobos was hospitalized Sunday, complaining of dizziness. He was released Monday and joined the short-handed Salvadoran national team for its next qualifier against Costa Rica Wednesday at the Saprissa Stadium in San Jose.
Honduras aims to beat Mexico again
[HEXAGONAL] It’s only the third day of World Cup 2010 qualifying in the Concacaf zone, but Mexico and Honduras meet in a critical match for both teams Wednesday in San Pedro Sula (TV: Telemundo, live, 9:30 pm ET). If one team loses, look for its coach to be on his way out. One player who isn’t in San Pedro Sula is New Mexico product Edgar Castillo. Called in as a last-minute replacement for the injured Giovanni Dos Santos, Castillo was unable to travel with Mexico to Honduras because he lost his passport.
Coach resigns after wacky e-mail
[YOUTH] The coach of Scituate, Mass., U-8 girls team resigned after parents complained about his introductory e-mail, which encouraged players to eat “undercooked red meat” and play like a “Michael Vick pit bull.” The coach wrote that his players should be ready for “bumps, bruises and even bleed a little …. (but I do hope the other team is the one bleeding).”
Taking it on the chin [VIDEO]
[OFF THE POST] Uzbekistan’s coach prepares his team with a training method that has his players take aim at backboard with a hole slightly bigger than the ball. Players who miss the hole must move behind the wall, place their face in the hole, and await their teammates’ shots.
