Author Archives: Soccer America

Speculative Italian media reports have claimed that Borussia Dortmund's possibly U.S. defender Neven Subotic has as good as been sold to Serie A side Napoli. But the team's Managing Director Hans-Joachim Watzke has issued an unequivocal statement that the player is "absolutely not for sale." For good measure, Watzke added, "regardless of how much is […]

The Houston Dynamo and Major League Soccer have made an offer to take Mexican forward Luis Angel Landin, 23, on loan for a year from Morelia Monarcas, reports Bernardo Fallas. The Mexican team would retain the player's rights and collect an undisclosed fee. Houston's Chief Operating Officer Chris Canetti called the discussions "very interesting" and […]

Controversial Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov has said that he has no current plans to increase his stake in Arsenal FC, despite the ousting from the club’s board last week of Nina Bracewell-Smith, who owns a 15.9 percent stake in the team. But he is certainly reviewing the situation, and refuses to rule out a future […]

I say, how awfully splendid. The English FA has something the U.S. and many other countries can't call on in their bid to land the 2018 World Cup — a member of the royal family to shake important hands and make small talk. Presuming that the monarchy is not overthrown in the meantime, Prince William […]

"I suppose the only thing that I sometimes get frustrated by is when people outside the football club are talking about things to do with me, because they are trying to create something that is not there." Liverpool striker Robbie Keane, who scored a fine goal for his team in the weekend's 1-1 tie at […]

"They are an absolute disaster, staggering into rotten relationships as broken promise after broken promise drives them ever closer to a complete breakdown, teetering on the edge of the financial and football abyss." Sid Lowe tells how it's not been Mallorca's season so far in La Liga.    

"The title is won in May and we are in December. Mathematically we will fight until the end. I believe Liverpool will drop many points. I am convinced of that. They had four draws at home. That means they dropped eight points, why shouldn't they drop eight more in the second half of the season?" […]

The English Football Association's full report on the incident involving Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and the ground staff of Chelsea FC last April is well worth reading in full at the FA's website, writes Sam Wallace. "In parts it reads like the average fight outside a kebab shop on a Friday night in a […]

Both D.C. United and FC Dallas were approached last month about the possibility of acquiring Ghanaian international Stephen Appiah, 28, on a free transfer, reports Steven Goff. But for reasons not yet clear, the potential deals fell through. "Appiah would have been willing to play in MLS for $2 million per season, a figure probably […]

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has said that soccer is in the age of the “disposable manager,” and that he is not exempt from getting fired in spite of his team currently sitting third in the English Premier League. He knows how quickly things can change, and feels increasing emphasis is being placed on instant […]

Major League Soccer has sold the international TV rights to its games to sports media company MP & Silva through 2013. Sports Business Journal (subscription only) reported that the deal involves "an eight-figure agreement." The TV deal is part of "a long-term, broad partnership with" MLS and includes "the exclusive rights to all MLS games, […]

“Victory would put Rafael Benítez‘s club four points clear at the top of the standings for 24 hours at least and all but end Arsenal’s challenge.” Sachin Nakrani on how victory for Liverpool at Arsenal this weekend would not just end the home team’s championship hopes, but avenge Arsenal’s last-minute goal in the 1988-89 season’s […]

"I think it is crucial all our players stay fit because we don't have a massive squad — that is a must." Aston Villa's Brad Friedel says that avoiding injuries will be key to Aston Villa securing a Champions League qualification spot in the EPL. Villa's partly second-string lineup lost 3-1 to Hamburg in a […]

"The managers believe there has been too great a focus on refereeing decisions in post-match interviews." Scottish Premier League Chairman Lex Gold announces that the league's 12 coaches have agreed to desist from talking about refereeing decisions after games. If anyone's heard of a soccer-related New Year's resolution less likely to last beyond the end […]

"Claudio [Lopez] and a lot of other experienced players in the league sometimes make very intelligent runs and they don't always receive the ball early enough." Kansas City Wizards coach Curt Onalfo carefully pinpoints one of the difficulties for good players in adapting to Major League Soccer.