Author Archives: Soccer America

Former U.S. national team star Tab Ramos is among the coaches who have been named NSCAA/adidas Regional Coaches of the Year. Ramos was named the East Region Boys Coach of the Year for his efforts with the NJSA 04 Gunners, the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer under-14 national champions. For all the boys and girls regional winners …

[MLS] If so many MLS coaches spend so much of their time scouting college players, why do they all show up at the MLS Combine, which begins Saturday in Fort Lauderdale? Well, every year, a Chris Rolfe (University of Dayton) or Geoff Cameron (Rhode Island) is on display and turns out to be pretty good. There might be a junior college kid (Pasadena CC) like current Kansas City Wizard forward Yura Movsisyan, and there will certainly be a slew of seniors who’ve played for top-notch programs like Maryland, Indiana, Wake Forest, UCLA, etc. Even if you’ve seen a team play a game or two, you can’t always get a good read on everybody.

[INTERLIGA] Morelia cranked up its wheezing attack just in time to earn a spot in the Interliga finals by beating group winner Pachuca and getting some help from Toluca to edge through in second place. The final day of play in Group A at Home Depot Center Thursday produced a pair of attacking displays from teams desperately needing goals to advance. Morelia beat Pachuca, 3-0, and wound up in second place when Toluca knocked off UAG, 2-0, to eliminate the Tecos from advancing, which they would have done with a win.

[WPS] With a week to go before the Women’s Professional League’s draft of college players, to be held Jan. 16 at the NSCAA Convention in St. Louis, only four foreign players whose negotiating rights were obtained by WPS teams have signed to play in the 2009 season, but women’s soccer brightest star, Marta, is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Sol, perhaps as soon as Monday when the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year is announced in Zurich.

[MEXICO] Most European clubs approach the January transfer window cautiously, but in Mexico, where the league championship is split into two seasons, clubs shuffle their rosters during the second transfer window. At Puebla, which is in danger of being relegated at the end of the 2009 Torneo Clausura, former FC Dallas defender Duilio Davino is the club’s ninth signing. In a back-handed slap at MLS, the 32-year-old Davino, one of the biggest Mexican flops in MLS history, said he was glad to be back home.

[MAKING A LIST] Ezra Hendrickson, who capped his 12-season tenure in Major League Soccer by helping the Crew to its first MLS Cup championship in 2008 — and his third with three different teams — announced his retirement. Hendrickson, who turns 37 next week, played 298 regular-season and playoff games with six different teams. He attended Drake University and later captained the St. Vincent & the Grenadines national team. He’s the eighth player to leave the Crew in the offseason. For all the team-by-team moves …

The InterLiga, the USA-based Libertadores Cup qualifying tournament for Mexican clubs, continues on Friday and Sunday. In the English Premier League’s marquee game, Manchester United clashes with Chelsea on Sunday.

“The Ferrari went straight into the wall, his front left-hand wheel came off and then Ronaldo got out of the car. … Obviously I was stunned at seeing a Ferrari go in the wall and seeing Ronaldo. He was obviously shaken – who wouldn’t be? – but it’s a shame about the car as well.”

— Jody Lomax, who witnessed Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo total his car. Ronaldo was able to practice later that day. Go HERE for video of the smashed up Ferrari. (BBC)

“One thing’s clear: there’s not much to negotiate. We want an eight-figure sum. But I have to say, Cologne has moved towards that again. It looks good. I’m confident it will come off.” Bayern Munich President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge thinks that agreement on Lukas Podolski‘s transfer to FC Cologne is close to completion.

“I think it was a necessary move for me to come away from the States and fulfill a dream to play in Europe. At the same time, having to adjust, it’s easier and better for you as a professional if you can do it at a younger age. To get into the whole atmosphere and […]

[ENGLAND] Manchester United brought on Cristiano Ronaldo late in the game and he almost scored on a free kick, but Man U fell, 1-0, to second division struggler Derby in their League Cup semifinal first-leg clash.

[AMERICANS ABROAD] Freddy Adu, who has played only 100 minutes in nine French First Division appearances since joining Monaco last summer, started against Juventus and helped set up a goal.

“We have to overcome a series of obstacles before advancing to the World Cup. I expect climbing Mount Halla will help players endure tough times ahead.”

— South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo is having his squad climb to the peak of Mount Halla in hopes it will inspire them to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. A 5.5 mile trail leads to the summit. (Donga-A Ilbo)

[U.S. SOCCER] Coach Bob Bradley has welcomed San Jose defender Jason Hernandez and Colorado defender Ugo Ihemelu into the team’s Southern California training camp to replace Clarence Goodson and Cory Gibbs.

[SIGN OF THE TIMES] England’s Football Association is cutting ticket prices by as much as 25 percent for upcoming home matches against Slovakia (March 28), Ukraine (April 1) and Andorra (June 10) at Wembley Stadium.