[MAKING A LIST] Mexico’s pro ranks are an increasingly important feeder for the U.S. national team program. Fourteen Americans played in Mexico’s top two pro leagues in 2008-09. They included First Division players Jose Francisco Torres and Michael Orozco, who have played on the national team in World Cup qualifying, and Jose Gonzalez, who spent time this season with Potros Chetumal in the Second Division and has been called up to next week’s U-20 camp in Sarasota, Fla.
Monthly Archives: May 2009
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Japan cancels tour because of flu virus concerns
[U.S. WOMEN] A pair of friendly games — the first at home in 2009 — the U.S. women’s national team scheduled against Japan were canceled on Tuesday because of Japanese concerns with the H1N1 virus. Instead of games May 20 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, and May 23 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, the USA will face Canada at BMO Field in Toronto on May 25 when Japan was scheduled to conclude its North American tour.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I would be very surprised if we did not obtain a franchise.”
— Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo on the chances of obtaining an MLS team. Montreal’s bid to gain one of the two bids that went to Vancouver and Portland in March collapsed last fall over questions about how the expansion of Stade Saputo would be funded. Saputo is working with the Quebec government on a joint project to underwrite the cost of the stadium work. (ruefrontenac.com)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
German keeper in trouble for curse cheer [VIDEO]
[OFF THE POST] The German soccer federation has asked Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese to provide a written account of what occurred after his team’s 2-0 win over archrival Hamburg SV, although the various videos taken by fans of his profane cheerleading have been posted online and paint a pretty clear picture.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Berlusconi Blames Ancelotti for Wrong Tactics
AC Milan’s president Silvio Berlusconi has accused Coach Carlo Ancelotti of wasting the club’s season, according to Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper. “We lost the title because of Ancelotti,” Berlusconi is quoted as saying. “Many times we did not use the right tactics. We have so many good ball players and should have based our soccer […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Czech Republic Names New Head Coach
Former international defender Frantisek Straka has been appointed coach of Czech Republic. The 50-year-old replaces Petr Rada, who was sacked last month following poor displays in World Cup qualifying matches against Slovakia and Slovenia. Straka narrowly beat out Dusan Uhrin, who helped lead the Czech Republic to the final of Euro 96, in a federation […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Spurs’ Redknapp Wants End To Boozing
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has vowed to introduce an alcohol ban after defender Ledley King was arrested for an alleged assault outside a London nightclub. "I'll implement a strong rule next season that drinking is a no-no here," Redknapp told the Sun newspaper. "Footballers should dedicate their lives to playing." He added: "Footballers should not […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Maradona Eyes Pachuca’s Gimenez
Argentina boss Diego Maradona told an Argentine radio show that he will call up Pachuca standout Christian “El Chaco” Gimenez for the next pair of World Cup qualifiers. “It’s true that I will call up Christian Gimenez for qualifying,” Maradona told Buenos Aires radio station Del Plata. “I’m not calling him up because the games […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Tecos and Jaguares to Close Doors to Fans
Of the eight Mexican stadiums that will host playoff games over the next five days, all but two will open their doors to the public. Tecos' Estadio 3 de Marzo and Jaguares' Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna will close their doors to fans, Mexican soccer federation officials said. The H1N1 flu outbreak has hit the Guadalajara […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Wenger Maintains He Doesn’t Need to Buy Success
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger declares that he will resist the temptation to go on a summer spending spree to challenge for the Premier League title. The Gunners will finish fourth in the league for the fourth straight season and their last trophy remains the 2005 FA Cup. “We have a team which is 22 years […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Dallas Youngster Eager for Breakthrough
It only seems like Anthony Wallace has been with FC Dallas for a long time. Now in his third MLS season, Wallace is still only 20 years of age. The ninth overall pick in the 2007 SuperDraft, Wallace has yet to play a single minute with FCD’s first unit this season. But he is making […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
College stars to face Ireland and Northern Ireland
[U.S. UNDER-23 WOMEN] The U.S. under-23 women’s national team will face Ireland’s women’s national team on Wednesday in Dublin and Northern Ireland’s women’s national team in Belfast on Wednesday. For the U.S. roster …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Burglar strikes at gametime
[OFF THE POST] A thief stole thousands of dollars of cash and valuables from the house of Everton’s Steven Pienaar while he was busy playing against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. Piennar is the 16th English Premier League player whose house was targeted in recent years while on club duty, according to British media reports.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Kamani Hill lands in Portugal
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Portuguese Vitoria Guimaraes club has signed 23-year-old American Kamani Hill to a three-year contract as its first reinforcement for the 2009-10 season. The former UCLA forward signed a contract with current Bundesliga leader Wolfsburg in 2006, made his debut in early 2007 but was relegated to the German club’s second team and no longer figured in its plans.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
OBITUARY: Julio Mazzei (1930-2009)
Brazilian Julio Mazzei, best known as Pele‘s adviser during his New York Cosmos and later the coach of the Cosmos when they won the 1982 North American Soccer League title, died Sunday at the age of 78 in Santos.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
EPL to get tough on club finances
[ENGLAND] With English clubs having run up debts of 3 billion pounds ($4.56 billion), the Premier League has proposed tough measures to curb abuses and bolster transparency.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Dallas keeper Sala sidelined again
[MLS] Unless it brings in another goalkeeper, FC Dallas will be playing Ray Burse in goal for at least the next month. Regular goalie Dario Sala, who sat out most of April after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee, is projected to miss the next four to six weeks to recover from bone bruising detected in that same knee by an MRI exam.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Philly name celebrates colonial past
[MLS] Philadelphia, MLS’s 16th team, will be named the Union. The team name is a reference to the original thirteen colonies, while the colors of navy blue and gold are a throwback to the uniforms of the American Continental Army.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“From Day One, he was in a similar position to me. He had loved playing for Manchester United and probably thought he wouldn’t play for another club in England but he ended up coming here and found the perfect place for him. The environment, the team spirit has suited him down to the ground. You can count the number of mistakes he’s made on one hand over the three years he’s been here. He’s definitely one of the top three keepers in the Premier League. Consistency is his key and he’s getting better all the time too. Every good team needs a great keeper and we have got one.”
— Everton captain Phil Neville on American teammate Tim Howard, who set a Blues’ record with his 16th shutout of the season in their 0-0 tie with Tottenham that clinched sixth place in the EPL on Saturday. (Liverpool Echo)
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Galaxy still short on wins but poised for revival
How can a team that has missed the playoffs the past three years and won just one of eight games this season be construed as on the right track, more or less?
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
Midweek action: English, German and French League, Copa Libertadores, Coppa Italia and the Concacaf Champions League final. Portland takes on Rochester in a special Thursday edition of USL’s game of the week. Rounding out this week in American soccer is a full slate of MLS action and Sunday WPS clash between Boston and Washington. In international play, catch the Mexican League playoffs and action from various leagues from around the world.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Norway, Denmark, Scotland Get Extra Europe Spots
Norway, Denmark and Scotland have earned extra places in the qualifying round for next season’s Europa League. The extra places for the Europa League — formerly known as the UEFA Cup — will be given to the winners of the trio’s domestic fair-play competitions, which have yet to be announced. Norway leads UEFA’s Fair Play […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Fletcher and Abidal Bans Upheld
Manchester United’s attempt to overturn Darren Fletcher‘s suspension from the Champions League final has failed. UEFA has confirmed that the red card given for a foul on Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will stand. Barcelona meanwhile will have absentees in both Eric Abidal and Dani Alves. Like Fletcher, Abidal’s plea for UEFA to rescind a harsh […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Former Italian Star Sells Condoms
As his soccer career ends, Christian Vieri seems determined to prove himself the "Fabio" of the business world. A few years ago the former Serie A star launched his own fashion line, named Sweet Years, with AC Milan's Paulo Maldini. Now Vieri, who has built a reputation as a playboy on multiple continents, will help […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Velez On Course for Argentine Title
League leader Velez Sarsfield remains on course for the Argentine Clausura title after coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Racing Club at the Jose Amalfitani stadium on Saturday. After Racing jumped out to a two-goal lead with strikes from Claudio Yacob and Ruben Ramirez, Velez picked up a late draw with goals from Sebastian […]