Author Archives: Soccer America

“It was a strange game, I can’t really describe it.” Estudiantes’ Juan Sebastian Veron after his side lost the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final 1-0 at home to Brazilian side Internacional. The Brazilians won on an Alex Meschini penalty kick, despite playing with only ten men for over an hour.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is “very sensible with the way he approaches the transfer market, he’s not going to buy anybody just because the press or fans say he should. He certainly has got money if he wants to spend it.” Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood says Wenger has cash available for the winter transfer window.

“The players have been great to work with and the fans have made me feel at home since day one. We have a big challenge ahead of us for the rest of the season, but together I’m confident we will make good progress.” Joe Kinnear responds to the extension of his spell as Newcastle United […]

“Today, in the world and in Europe, there is trafficking of children. I will not mince my words because the situation is serious. What else do you call a phenomenon whereby children aged 12 or 13 are torn away from their environment and culture to join a business in return for payment? This is what […]

Philadelphia’s 2010 MLS soccer team is getting ready for its first sellout — Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its 18,500-seater stadium in Chester, where MLS Commissioner Don Garber will get his hands dirty by putting shovel to soil in front of temporary bleachers filled with members of the Sons of Ben fan club. […]

The Bundesliga has sold its TV rights for four seasons, starting next year, for $2.1 billion, an average of $525 million per season. That’s up marginally from the current deal, which brings in an annual $516 million.   Pay-TV company Premiere bought the live broadcast rights, and said it will pay between $286 and $350 […]

AC Milan’s visit to England to play Portsmouth in the UEFA Cup Thursday gave the media plenty of opportunities to ask its players what they thought about David Beckham‘s loan deal. They not only delivered the statutory words of praise, but claimed that Beckham will help the team become Italian champion. Brazilian Kaka even thinks the L.A. Galaxy player will stay for good.
 
Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf claimed “everybody is excited about David’s arrival. We know we have a job to do [win Serie A] and that he will help us with that. We already have a solid team with a lot of experience but everybody knows what David can bring onto the pitch.” Making it sound more like a honeymoon than a loan deal between two football clubs, Seedorf added, “I think it will be a fantastic couple of months we’ll have together. We need to let him come and train and get himself fit first — and not put too much pressure on him.” By saying that he will help the team win Serie A, for example.
 
Meanwhile Kaka told Sky Sports News that when Beckham comes and experiences Milan, “I think [he] will want to stay a bit more, until the end of the season and who knows after that. He is an amazing player and an amazing guy. He will bring many qualities to our side and I believe he can help us win the championship. I hope he can stay with us at AC Milan a little bit longer.”

The “ambassador of MLS” was nowhere to be seen on Sunday when the league played its showpiece final game, writes Andrea Canales. As David Beckham lives so close to the stadium where he plays for the L.A. Galaxy, why did he not show up at an event that “has traditionally been a showcase for the […]

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney apologized for diving against Villarreal in the Champions League Tuesday. But that won't disguise the myth that English players don't dive.    

“I know we will organize it in the best way possible.” Argentine Football Association President Julio Grondona after Argentina was announced as host for the 2011 Copa America. He also said Mexico and Japan may be invited to bring the total number of participating countries to 14.

Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed bin Hammam has said the AFC Champions League will expand from 28 to 32 teams next year, with stricter criteria for participation in an effort to raise standards, and a massive boost in prize money. "In the future we hope the Asian league will be able to compete with Europe," […]

"The entrepreneurial spirit has to be instilled into the local black population of South Africa. We still need support to change the mindset to tell people 'you are capable of performing in the marketplace.' I am in a minority — I don't let anything put me down." Namibian businesswoman Emiley Vollmer, head of Evo Media, […]

"There have been talks between Cologne and Bayern Munich as well as talks between [Lukas] Podolski and Cologne." FC Cologne manager Michael Meier confirms transfer negotiations that could take the Bayern Munich and German national team striker back to his previous club. Any such move would likely make Bayern even keener to sign U.S. and […]

The Chicago Fire's umbrella fan body Section 8 Chicago is to file suit against the club next week after the two sides failed to resolve a dispute over income from ticket sales and a lost giant banner, reports Nick Firchau. "Unfortunately, it's entirely possible to love the team on the field and still be at […]

U.S. Soccer for the most part sticks to its manifesto as a non-profit body aimed at promoting soccer in the U.S. "in order to make it the pre-eminent sport recognized for excellence in participation, spectator appeal, international competition and gender equity," writes Mark Zeigler, quoting the USSF's federal tax return. But when it comes to […]

Argentine playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto will return for another season with the Columbus Crew and could be the team’s first designated player, reports Shawn Mitchell, quoting “a source close to both Schelotto and the team.” Mitchell writes that team owner Hunt Sports Group is willing to make the 35-year-old league MVP a designated player, “which […]

One of the reasons that Arsenal has recruited Ivan Gazidis is his reputation for negotiating player contracts, writes Tom Dart. Gazidis, a "significant figure in bringing David Beckham to America," will work closely with manager Arsene Wenger on player recruitment and contract issues. "Given the obvious need for Arsenal to recruit wisely in the January […]

Major League Soccer Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis, 44, is to take over as chief executive of Arsenal at the start of 2009, the league announced Wednesday. “Ivan’s credentials are first class,” said Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood. “It is evident that he has a wealth of business acumen together with a broad knowledge of football that […]