Author Archives: Soccer America

Retired French referee Bruno Derrien has published a memoir, “Down With The Referee,” telling how managers and coaches cultivate their relationships with match officials. According to the book, “the canniest coaches manage their relationships with referees as studiously as they do with their players,” writes Ian Hawkey. Derrien tells, for example, how Manchester United manager […]

At Toronto FC’s press conference to introduce midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, the P-word was being thrown around by club officials "with reckless abandon," reports Gareth Wheeler. That stands for Playoffs, but Wheeler says that while such confidence is refreshing, another P-word could also be used about expectations: Premature.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said Monday that he wants on-loan L.A. Galaxy midfielder David Beckham to stay on at the club, and that he will be disappointed when, or if, he returns to California in March. Speaking on Italian radio the day after Beckham scored his first goal for Milan goal in a 4-1 […]

U.S. midfielder Sacha Kljestan‘s hat trick for the national team against Sweden at the weekend may have actually harmed his chances of moving to Scottish champions Glasgow Celtic, writes Ronnie Cully. In short, the higher the player’s value, the less likely that Celtic can afford him. Kljestan “impressed everyone” during his six-day trial at Celtic […]

“I’ve kept an eye on Emile’s career and when he’s confident he’s a top player. Something leveled at Emile is that he doesn’t score enough goals and I am sure he probably thinks exactly the same. But it doesn’t mean he hasn’t made a massive difference in other areas.” Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill on […]

“It’s disappointing to lose Jimmy. We said all along that we’d like to keep all of our players but the possibility of Jimmy leaving has been there all the time. He’s been seeking the type of contract we couldn’t give him.” Fulham manager Roy Hodgson on the departure of midfielder Jimmy Bullard to Hull City. […]

“I think he certainly has benefited from one year of playing somewhere else. He looks as athletic as before, probably more comfortable on the ball. I think with any player you get experience by playing and by making mistakes. I think he has gained some experience that is quite good for him.” RB New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio on returning defender Eric Brunner, 22, who left a year ago to play for Miami in the USL rather than downgrade his salary to a developmental contract.

AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has said that Brazilian playmaker Kaka will not leave for Real Madrid or any other club at the end of the season. The player turned down a $150 million move to Manchester City this week, but Spanish media reports have linked him with a move to La Liga’s reigning […]

England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard , 28, will deny having assaulted a man during a nightclub brawl last month, a court heard Friday. The club captain will plead not guilty to affray and assaulting company director Marcus McGee, 34, in a Merseyside nightclub shortly after Christmas. He appeared before North Sefton Magistrates in Merseyside […]

Compared with a deal they had lined up last summer, Liverpool FC’s U.S. owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will have to settle for a profit reduced by $150 million if they sell the team to Kuwaiti billionaire Nasser al Kharafi. The Kuwaiti approached the Americans last year with a view to sealing a $820 […]

San Jose Earthquakes’ midfielder Ronnie O’Brien won’t return to the club, Quakes GM John Doyle said Thursday after the two sides failed to reach a contract deal. O’Brien, who lives in San Jose, wanted to stay, reports Elliott Almond, but the player said “the number they came back with was really low. It wouldn’t have […]

D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen has barely kicked a competitive ball in 15 months, but he was back at training Thursday to try and resurrect his playing career, writes Steven Goff. Despite rumors of retirement and persistent pain in his left ankle, Olsen is determined to try and play for at least one more season. […]

“Sports events bind us together as a nation and it’s vital, where possible, the public can watch them. It’s also crucial for the development of sport that broadcasting deals represent good value for money for governing sports. The voluntary code strikes the right balance between audience and revenue.” Senior barrister Charles Flint, one of a […]

“We’ve got some tough games, we’ve a game at Man. United that really is so secondary to me now.” Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp says he will send a second string lineup to face Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend, because Premier League survival has become a priority. Redknapp’s team reached […]

“We’re not anybody’s fool. We’ve turned down negotiations for three different players because we felt the demands both from the [selling] club and, in essence, the players have been ludicrous. The perception that we are out there throwing money around is simply not true.” Manchester City Executive Chairman Garry Cook complains that the club’s attempts […]

“I won’t walk home on my own again, that’s for sure. It left a bitter taste in my mouth for a while, but I’m just glad justice has been done. It was a one-off incident. It upset me and disappointed me. It is not a fair reflection on Glasgow. It has got nothing to do […]