[MLS] David Beckham, who makes his reluctant return to the Los Angeles Galaxy in July, was paid “substantial undisclosed damages” by The Daily Star because it falsely claimed that he “made a play” for Hungarian model Mariann Fogarasy. In April, the UK tabloid headlined a front-page story with “Becks & The Blonde Beauty” and “Topless model claims she was chatted up by footie star.” The Daily Star retracted the allegations and promised not to repeat them.
Monthly Archives: June 2009
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Xavi: USA Has Nothing to Lose Against Spain
Spain midfielder Xavi warned that the USA will be a difficult opponent for European Champion Spain in Wednesday’s Confederations Cup semifinal. The Barcelona playmaker said he felt there was “perhaps more pressure on Spain than the USA.” “I’ve seen the strong team the Americans has been evolving … and when we beat them 1-0 in […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Manchester City Completes Deal for Santa Cruz
Manchester City has acquired striker Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn by buying out his remaining contract for around $30 million. Santa Cruz will once again link up with Coach Mark Hughes, who bought Santa Cruz from Bayern Munich while boss of Blackburn two years ago. The deal is City’s second signing of the summer, following […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
FIFA to Give Away Tickets to U.S. Confederations Cup Game
FIFA is giving away some free tickets for the Confederations Cup semifinal match between Spain and the United States. The governing body of world soccer said there were about 6,000 tickets still on sale for the match at the 38,000-seat Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. "There will be a certain number of tickets given on […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
UK Branch of Setanta Placed Into Adminstration
Irish pay-TV company Setanta has today been placed into administration after rescue talks designed to secure new funding collapsed. Accountancy firm Deloitte has confirmed it has been appointed to administrate the UK part of the business, which employs about 200 staff. They will now be made redundant. Setanta's UK arm "will shortly cease broadcasting to […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
ESPN to Carry EPL Games in Britain
ESPN will broadcast live Premier League matches for the first time in Britain after gaining rights from financially troubled Setanta Sports. The Premier League announced that ESPN, owned by The Walt Disney Co., will televise 46 matches next season and 23 in each of the three seasons from 2010-13 in its first major contract to […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Egypt Performance Hurt By Prostitute ‘Lies’
Egypt has blamed its 3-0 loss to the USA at the Confederations Cup – at least partially – on “lies” that the South African media spread about its players consorting with prostitutes after beating world champion Italy. It was initially reported that Egyptian players returned from the Italy game to find their possessions stolen from […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Quaranta Set for U.S. Comeback at Gold Cup
The Washington Post’s Steven Goff reports that D.C. United midfielder-forward Santino Quaranta, who resurrected his career after battling drug addiction, will be named to the USA Gold Cup roster this week. Quaranta, 24, has not played for the American squad since February 2006. Quaranta has 11 caps (three starts, eight reserve appearances). This season, playing […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The USA’s Big Challenge
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] When the USA faces Spain in the semifinals (Wednesday, 2:30 pm ET, Univision & ESPN) it will try to end the European champion’s international record of 15-consecutive wins. Spain will aim to surpass Brazil’s record 35-game unbeaten streak.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Toronto shows its comeback character
[MLS] “After a week off to complete its obligations in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, Toronto FC resumes its MLS schedule Wednesday against New York at BMO Field.” That bland, generic followup to last week’s match at Stade Saputo in Montreal would have sufficed, except that TFC didn’t go gentle into the good night of heroic yet futile performance. It blasted the Impact, 6-1, overturning a hefty advantage held by Vancouver in goal difference to nudge past the Whitecaps into the 2009-10 Concacaf Champions’ League as the Canadian representative.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Team robbed of shirts and shoes
[OFF THE POST] Peruvian club Universitario was robbed of 90 pairs of cleats and 50 shorts, which were stolen from its locker room at the Lima’s Monumental stadium.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA names preliminary roster
[GOLD CUP] The USA has named a preliminary 30-man roster for the Gold Cup from which Coach Bob Bradley will pick 23 players for the July 3-26 tournament.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“The man who said, ‘Yes we can do it,’ will be there. President Obama has accepted an invitation to the opening ceremony. Of course the schedule of heads of state can change, but he has said he will be there if he can.”
— FIFA President Sepp Blatter on U.S. President Barack Obama accepting an invitation to attend the opening game of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. (Reuters)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Rising Star: Chivas USA’s Justin Braun
[MLS PROFILE] Justin Braun is a second-year forward with Chivas USA who bolstered the injury-plagued frontline of the West’s second-place team. Braun’s unusual route to MLS took him from an amateur men’s team in Utah to a chance discovery by Chivas USA coach Preki at a USASA tournament at the Home Depot Center. Get to know the 22-year-old in this profile by Soccer America’s Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Longer South Africa stay complicates player moves
Well, this is another fine mess that Bob Bradley’s players have gotten him into.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Bob Bradley: ‘We’re excited to move on’
Clint Dempsey didn’t immeditaly know his goal against Egypt, which gave the USA a 3-0 win, clinched passage to the semifinals of the Conferedations Cup. But the U.S. players soon got word that, combined with Brazil’s 3-0 triumph over Italy, the USA earned date on Wednesday with European champion Spain. “I was just happy that […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Spain Sets World Record for Consecutive Wins
European champion Spain set a world record of 15 successive international wins by beating hosts South Africa 2-0 in the FIFA Confederations Cup on Saturday. David Villa's goal seven minutes into the second half and another 20 minutes later from substitute Fernando Llorente also meant Spain matched Brazil's run of 35 matches without defeat.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Owen to Leave Newcastle, Prove Critics Wrong
Michael Owen said that he will definitely leave Newcastle United this summer and will be prepared to move abroad if a deal with a Premier League club cannot be agreed. "I can't see me staying at Newcastle," Owen said. "I'm still a Newcastle United player but only for a matter of weeks." The out-of-contract former […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Clashes Among Fans of Same Team Turn Fatal in Argentina
Argentina's chronic soccer violence flared up again on Sunday when fans of title favorites Huracan clashed and left two dead and two badly injured, hospital sources said on Monday. Fighting among rival factions of fans of the same team began at halftime in Huracan's 3-0 home win over Arsenal and, with many brandishing guns and […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Earthquakes Withstand Galaxy Assault
In the waning moments of the San Jose Earthquakes' 2-1 victory Saturday, the Los Angeles Galaxy had what seemed like its entire team camped in front of San Jose's goal. "The ball was around our [6-yard box] for what seemed like five minutes," Earthquakes defender Chris Leitch said. "Guys were falling all over each other." […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
New England Triumphs in Rain-Soaked Thriller
The New England Revolution's 4-2 win over Santos Laguna in the SuperLiga Group B opener for both teams had a little bit of everything. Goals, saves, cards, tackles and pugilistic confrontations made the match a drama for the neutrals who braved the inclement Father's Day weather. But most of all, the game had rain. Lots […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
MLS Players Follow Fathers’ Lines
Sunday was Father's Day in North America, and while many current MLS players were themselves recipients of cards and gifts from their loved ones, a handful of players wished a happy Father's Day to men who were, at one point in time, professional athletes. In total, 10 current MLS players are the sons of former […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
The FIFA Confederations Cup reaches the semifinal stage. The USA’s improbable entrance into the later round earns them a Wednesday duel with European Champion Spain. Brazil faces South Africa a day later in the other semifinal. Group play in SuperLiga 2009 rolls on with midweek and weekend matches. Mexico attempts to regain form with friendly matches against Venezuela (Wednesday) and Guatemala (Sunday). Look for updates in Wednesday’s and Friday’s Soccer on TV.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Michael Bradley top of class
[USA-EGYPT REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. players and comments on their performance in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Egypt in the Confederations Cup.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Islanders take over first place
[USL-1] The Puerto Rico Islanders, last year’s USL First Division regular-season champions, are back on top in the USL-1 following a pair of 1-0 wins over the Charleston Battery.