“Man City have scored in all of their home wins this year.”
— Said Sky Sports TV commentator Rob Hawthorne in case fans were wondering how soccer games are won. (BBC)
Author Archives: Soccer America
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Soccer Job Openings
[EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES] Soccer America provides the latest on employment opportunities for soccer-related positions. They include college coaching opportunities, as well as jobs in pro soccer, youth soccer, the soccer industry and television.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Australia To Spend $29 Million On World Cup Bid
The Australian government will spend $29.4 million to support the country's bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Sports Minister Kate Ellis will announce the three-year campaign this week ahead of the campaign's formal launch by Football Federation Australia in 2010.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Warner: T&T Must Work Out Its Problems
"We have a World Cup campaign to focus on and we will take the positives into it. This is not to say, though, that the team does not have to work out its problems and now move ahead full speed." Concacaf President and Trinidad & Tobago soccer federation "special advisor" Jack Warner comments upon his […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Scotland Tougher Than MLS, Says Edu
"I've found the SPL [Scottish Premier league] to be a lot more physical than both [MLS and NCAA]. The number of challenges and tackles are increased and every game is truly a battle. Even in training, it is more physical and a battle as everyone is competing for a spot on the pitch." U.S. and […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Out Of Gas Norway Coach Resigns
"I'm a person who must either give full gas, or nothing. When I no longer feel I can give full gas, it's sensible to say so." Norway national team coach Aage Hareide resigns after five years in charge, apparently tanked. The country is last in its World Cup qualifying group with only two points from […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Soccer, Life And Literature At The ‘Word’ Cup
"Many people asked us along the way what soccer has got to do with literature. The connection seemed bizarre to them, but for us the connection is natural — the creativity and the passion, the excitement and the pain, the rage and the fame: soccer is life, literature is about life." Writer Assaf Gavron, who […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
United Will Send Full-Strength Squad To World Club Cup
Despite earlier indications to the contrary, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has announced a full-strength, 23-man squad to fly to Japan for the World Club Cup this weekend. At least someone's taking it seriously. Ferguson had said earlier this season that he might leave some of his first-choice players behind ahead of a December 26 […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Stronger Dollar Good For MLS Imports
The stronger dollar could be good news for any MLS team planning to import players from Europe, writes Greg Lalas. At the same time, it may make European clubs think twice about importing U.S. talent. Jozy Altidore cost Villarreal $10 million when it bought the striker from RB New York this past summer, which at […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Cannon Could Take Pay Cut To Stay In San Jose
The San Jose Quakes and Joe Cannon are in contract talks after the team declined to pick up the goalkeeper’s contract option for the 2009 season, writes Elliott Almond. Cannon, 33, said he’s cautiously optimistic about the negotiations. "My heart has always been in San Jose no matter where I’ve played," he said. "It’s a […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The Time Is Right For Europe, Says Parkhurst
Former New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst, 24, thinks that now is the ideal time for a move to Europe, writes Monique Walker ahead of Tuesday’s expected announcement that the player has joined FC Nordsjaelland of Denmark. "I just felt like with me being the age I am, and being out of contract, that if […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ramos For Real As Schuster Sacked
Real Madrid sacked German coach Bernd Schuster Tuesday and appointed recently fired Tottenham Hotspur manager Juande Ramos in his place. Injury-hit Real lost its third league game in four outings Sunday, and Schuster said afterward that it would be “impossible” for the reigning Spanish champion to beat Barcelona in this weekend’s superclasico. Fifth-place Real trails […]
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
ALL-AMERICANS: NSCAA/adidas NAIA Women
Concordia (Ore.) senior defender Jackie Pronovost completed her stellar career with a fourth first-team selection to the NSCAA/adidas NAIA Women’s All-America Team. Pronovost’s sister, Justine, garnered her third all-America honor as she was named to the second team. For all the NAIA women’s selections …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
ALL-AMERICANS: NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division III Women
Like her sister, Penn State goalie Alyssa Naeher, named to the NCAA Division I first team, Amanda Naeher of Division III women’s champion Messiah was named to the NSCAA/adidas Division III Women’s All-America first team. She was joined by fellow Messiah midfielder Kacie Klynstra on the first team. For all the D3 All-America selections …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
ALL-AMERICANS: NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division II Women
Three players — first-team pick Nicole Cito (Metro State) and second-team selections Gabriela Demoner (Franklin Pierce) and Katy Tafler (Grand Valley State) — were named to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division II Women’s All-America for the third time. For all the D2 All-America selections …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
ALL-AMERICANS: NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division I Women
Notre Dame’s Kerri Hanks was selected as an NSCAA/adidas All-America for the fourth time. She was a second-team All-America choice in 2005 and a first-team selection each of the subsequent years. She was joined by Irish teammate Carrie Dew on the 2008 first team. UCLA, Florida State and Stanford also had two players apiece on the first team. For all the D1 All-America selections …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
REGIONAL TEAMS: NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division I Women
Women’s College Cup teams North Carolina, Notre Dame, Stanford and UCLA and quarterfinalist Florida State all had four players named to NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division I regional first teams. For all the regional teams …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
The perils of cameras in locker rooms
[OFF THE POST] When ITV broadcast live from the locker room of minor league team Histon to capture its celebrations after an FA Cup win over Leeds United, it provided a national television audience with the image of a buck-naked Histon player performing a victory dance.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Five teams for three spots
[UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE/TV SCHEDULE] The final round of group play takes place Tuesday and Wednesday, but 13 of the 16 knockout round qualifiers have already been determined. The five teams in contention for the final three spots compete on Tuesday. Chelsea, Roma and Bordeaux compete for the top two spots in Group A. In Group B, Panathinaikos and Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta clash for a chance to advance along with Inter.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“It was like playing against Ronaldinho on the Playstation – he did the exact same run-up, it was very strange.”
– Palermo goalkeeper Marco Amelia reveals how he stopped a penalty kick by AC Milan’s Brazilian star Ronaldinho late last month. (Goal.com)
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
Catch European Champions League in the midweek. FIFA Club World Cup Playoffs start on Thursday and continue on into the weekend. Men’s College Cup semifinals are on Friday and the final is on Sunday.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
McClaren Denies Interest In Sunderland Job
"It's nonsense. I have no interest whatsoever in returning to England at the moment." Relief for Sunderland fans as Twente Enschede and former England manager Steve McClaren, the man with all the charisma of a plate of mashed potato, denies he is interested in succeeding Roy Keane.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Recession Stalls EPL Club Sell-Off
"Another week, another club for sale. Having denied for several months that he is looking to sell up, Portsmouth's owner Alexandre Gaydamak has finally announced that he is looking for a buyer." But if no one wants to buy teams like Newcastle, Liverpool or West Ham, who would want to purchase Portsmouth?
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
City Ready To Spend, But Naming No Names
"We are looking for targets to balance the team. There are a lot of players out there who people are getting very excited about — some huge stars — but maybe not in the positions we are looking to strengthen." Manchester City manager Mark Hughes refuses to name any specific players that his cash-rich club […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
CL Qualification Could Get Tougher For ‘Big Four’
"To the big clubs who may miss out I would say tough luck. This is a sporting competition and there is no guarantee of success." UEFA General Secretary David Taylor backs new qualification rules which mean that a fourth-place English Premier League team could meet a team from Spain or Italy in the qualifying rounds […]