[WPS] In a rare match with a 10 a.m. kickoff, the WPS leading Los Angeles Sol — no surprise here — routed the last-place Chicago Red Stars, 4-0, to move closer to clinching the first playoff berth in the playoffs.
Monthly Archives: June 2009
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Donovan leads courageous U.S. effort
[BRAZIL-USA REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance in their 3-2 loss to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final. …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The goals [VIDEO]
[BRAZIL-USA] For video highlights of the U.S. loss to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Sounders reward their faithful [VIDEO]
[MLS WINNERS & LOSERS] The Seattle Sounders drew the biggest crowd of the 2009 season and did not disappoint their fans. Los Angeles beat the West’s leader, but it was the same old story for the Red Bulls. …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“It’s disappointing because we started the game really well and put them on their heels which most teams don’t do against Brazil. Though they had some chances, we went into the half at 2-0 and felt good about it. Then, a series of good plays by them – maybe we fell a little bit asleep – and a good goal and they’re right back in the game. So from that point on it was going to be tough. They put us under a lot of pressure and eventually they just wore us down.”
— Landon Donovan, scorer of the USA’s second goal, on its 3-2 loss to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final. (USSoccer.com)
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
A Great Moment – But USA Needs More Donovans
With much huffing and puffing and groaning and grimacing the old order of world soccer was restored in South Africa over the weekend. In the Confederations Cup, Spain put down the upstarts from South Africa, while Brazil took care of the even more uppity United States.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
So Close!
Like against Spain in the semifinals, the USA took a 2-0 lead against Brazil in the final of the Confederations Cup. But the lead came too quickly Sunday, giving Brazil plenty of time to recover. The Brazilians got back in the game on a goal by Luis Fabiano seconds after played resumed and rallied to win, 3-2, on late headers by Luis Fabiano and Lucio.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Young RSL Defender Beltran Gaining Experience, Confidence
Tony Beltran quickly became the fall guy following Real Salt Lake's season-opening loss at Seattle. The second-year player seemed overwhelmed by the moment of playing in front of over 30,000 fans, struggling in the opening half of a 2-0 loss in which a defensive miscue contributed to the first goal. But RSL coach Jason Kreis […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Pontius a Playmaker in Any Role
Even the most talented MLS rookies have to learn the ropes, pay their dues and win the respect of veteran teammates. This season, however, several newcomers around the league have vaulted the traditional learning curve, as the likes of Steve Zakuani, Stefan Frei, Kevin Alston and Rodney Wallace have made notable contributions and even won […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Bob Bradley and USA Loose Ahead of Big Game
Bob Bradley, normally the grave and all-business type, showed unusual levity at a press conference ahead of the biggest match in his career – the Confederations Cup final against Brazil (Sunday, 2:30 pm ET; ESPN & Univision). Bradley got the media laughing before the first question. He sat down at the dais with US captain […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Betting on the USA: What Were the Odds?
Betfair, an online betting emporium, received only $51 of wagers on the United States winning the Confederations Cup in South Africa, at 999-to-1 odds. That means that for every $1 bet, the bettor will make out with $999 if the United States should beat Brazil on Sunday. The prospects of the United States winning the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Iran Federation Denies Player Ban
Iran soccer federation (IFF) President Ali Kafashian denied reports that four national team players were banned for wearing green wristbands during a World Cup qualifier to show their support for presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi. FIFA, which prohibits political displays during games and responds with fines, had requested the IFF respond to reports that it […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Big Bucks For Maradona
Reports out of Buenos Aires indicate Diego Maradona will earn $1.2 million dollars for his first year (November 2008 to October 2009) at the helm of the Argentine national team. Maradona, who had been working without a contract, is thus making more than twice as much as his predecessors, Daniel Passarella, Marcelo Bielsa, Jose Pekerman […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
The USA faces Brazil in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup final on Sunday. Spain takes on host South Africa in the third-place match. Mexico faces Guatemala in a friendly (Sunday). There’s also MLS, the WPS Game if the Week (Sky Blue FC-St. Louis) and SuperLiga action over the weekend.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Roster
The U.S. under-17 women’s national team, in the early stages of its preparations for qualifying for the 2010 world championship in Trinidad & Tobago, began a week-long training camp on Thursday in Pearl River, N.Y. For the complete roster …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
National Cup VIII regional champions crowned
National Cup VIII regional champions were crowned at three regional sites. PDA of New Jersey and FCX of Illinois led all teams with three championships at the Pittsgrove, N.J., girls regionals. For the winners in Pittsgrove, N.J., San Bernardino, Calif., and Modesto, Calif., …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Eclipse Select repeats triple feat
[REGION II GIRLS] For the second year in a row, Eclipse Select of Illinois captured three titles at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Championships.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Javanon completes double in South Dakota
[REGION II BOYS] Javanon won two titles at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Championships, which concluded Thursday in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Oklahoma club creates big surprise
[REGION III GIRLS] Edmond Soccer Club pulled the biggest surprise at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships when it beat the defending national champion Dallas Texans Red, 1-0, on Calli Cooper‘s goal off of a free kick in overtime of the U-18 girls final.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Prep star continues scoring streak
[REGION III BOYS] Enzo Martinez, considered by many to be the best prep player to ever come out of South Carolina, followed up on his national high school spring title with Northwestern High School by leading Discoveries SC to the under-18 boys championship at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships.
Posted inYouth Soccer Reporter, Youth What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“It’s a true indication of how strong this area is, soccer-wise. Because there’s plenty of competition just to get here.”
— Charlie Slagle, CEO of the Capital Area Soccer League, on the three titles teams from the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina won at the 2009 U.S. Youth Soccer Region III Championships in Frisco, Texas. (Raleigh News & Observer)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“There are sure to be some Betfair bettors praying for a U.S. victory. With the small matter of $51,000 to be won if they do.”
— Tony Calvin, spokesman for online betting emporium Betfair, which offered odds of 999-to-1 on the USA winning the Confederations Cup and received just $51 on that bet. The USA, which Betfair gave 699-to-1 odds to reach the semifinals, faces Brazil in the final on Sunday. (New York Times)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Uninspired Brazil slips past South Africa
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] U.S. players should be encouraged if they witnessed Brazil’s lackluster performance in defeating host South Africa, 1-0, to earn a final date with the Americans.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Dangerous from Distance
[STATS] That Brazil scored its Confederations Cup semifinal-winning goal against South Africa with a Daniel Alves free kick from just outside the penalty area prompted FIFA.com to dig up this stat …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Will USA’s Giant-Slaying Continue?
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] Its first appearance in a FIFA final matches the USA against mighty Brazil, which beat the Americans, 3-0, in group play but only narrowly defeat host South Africa in its semifinal. With midfielder Michael Bradley suspended, Coach Bob Bradley could give Benny Feilhaber his first start of the season and move Landon Donovan into central midfield.