Author Archives: Mike Woitalla

[AMERICANS ABROAD] He’s only played in two friendlies, against modest opposition, but by creating two goals and scoring a fine one on his own, Landon Donovan has the German press raving and is drawing praise from Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann. Bild newspaper dubbed the loaned L.A. player “Klinsi’s Liebling” and speculated he could even challenge veteran striker Miroslav Klose for playing time.

David Beckham‘s Milan debut at the weekend reminded veteran Italian-based soccer writer Paddy Agnew of the days of Diego Maradona at Napoli. Not because of any similarity in playing style, but because when Maradona emerged form the locker room “he tended to be surrounded by a posse of security men, physios, agents, friends, relatives and […]

France’s Ligue 1 race tightened as seven-time champion Lyon tied Lorient, 1-1, and saw its lead over Bordeaux reduced to one point. Carlos Bocanegra‘s Rennes is third only two points behind Lyon. In Portugal, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon leapfrogged over Porto and are tied for first place. For all the weekend results and current standings …

[AMERICANS ABROAD] Edgar Castillo, a 22-year-old New Mexico product, is set to join Club America, Mexico’s most popular club along with Chivas Guadalajara, according to Mexican media, which reports the clubs are ironing out the details of his transfer. Castillo, who helped Santos Laguna win the Clausura 2008 title, arrived in Mexico at age 18.

[MLS CUP 2008] Alejandro Moreno, who scored Columbus’ crucial opening goal, has now won three MLS titles with three different teams. The Venezuelan’s American soccer adventure began at a youth tournament in Texas.

Plaudits for Landon Donovan from Bayern Munich imply his 10-day training stint with the German power may yet turn into a long-term relationship. For his part, Donovan said, “I’m ready” and was quoted as saying some things his MLS colleagues might not be too happy about. The tabloid Bild, meanwhile, managed to invoke Barack Obama in its Donovan coverage.

Landon Donovan is training for 10 days at Bayern Munich to stay fit, according to Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann. But some German media have called his visit a trial and speculate that he could be a replacement for unhappy striker Lukas Podolski, the subject of winter transfer rumors.

[EPL REF WATCH] Seeing as it is virtually impossible to accidentally tug an opponent’s shirt, one would think it perfectly justifiable for referees to punish severely this insidious habit, yet a couple of English Premier League coaches have slammed a ref for calling the obvious infraction.

U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati also teaches economics at Columbia University. Soccer America spoke with Gulati about how the global economic crisis may affect the soccer world.

[U.S. SOCCER] The German soccer federation [DFB], which had previously been optimistic that 19-year-old defender Neven Subotic would be eligible for its national team despite having played for the USA at the 2005 U-17 World Cup, has admitted that Subotic doesn’t meet the FIFA requirements for a national-team switch to Germany. The news increases the chances that Subotic will play for the U.S. national team, although he still has other options.

[MLS NAMES & NUMBERS/VIDEO] The Columbus Crew confirmed its superiority. … A hat trick featured in Colorado’s barnburner in New York. … Kenny Cooper reaffirmed his Big D value. … An own goal you don’t see everyday, a bicycle kick, and a long-range free kick that bounced into the net. …