Author Archives: Soccer America

“He’s a real quality guy and I’m happy today that we were able to at least recognize him at the end there. It has to be a thrill to step on the field and be given the captain’s armband by David Beckham.” L.A. coach Bruce Arena pays tribute to defender Greg Vanney, who retired Saturday.

Former Arsenal and West Ham United midfielder Freddie Ljungberg looks set to sign a two-year deal with Seattle Sounders FC. The 2009 expansion franchise is showing that it’s truly looking to become a proper Major League Soccer team by luring an aging European pro to the league who’s long past his best.

The proposed loan move to AC Milan from the L.A. Galaxy was “[David] Beckham’s idea,” according to Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani. “It was the player who contacted us via his lawyers, having previously stated his intention to play at Milan.” This story’s becoming as tortuous as a Posh Spice reality show.

“I will sit down with [German national team coach] Joachim Loew as soon as my injury permits and apologize for my behavior.” German captain Michael Ballack issues a statement getting ready to retract his criticisms of Loew in a newspaper interview last week (though one wonders about the location of his injury if he still […]

“This is a different season right now. Everyone has the same chance.” RB New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio welcomes his side’s back-door entry to the playoffs, ignoring his verdict Friday that the side didn’t deserve to be there.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter witnessed a historic game at the weekend in the Palestinian West Bank when he saw the Palestine national team play its first ever match on home soil (although it was actually turf). The game against Jordan ended 1-1 in front of a capacity 6,500-crowd in a new stadium. “We are here […]

If the New England Revolution carries its current form into the playoffs, Coach Steve Nicol faces a long winter with no games and nothing to complain about. So he made sure to let off some final regular-season steam at referee Kevin Stott after the Revs lost 3-1 at home to Kansas City on Saturday. They […]

Meanwhile the side that Salt Lake eliminated with its late equalizer, the Colorado Rapids, is taking its time over whether or not to make interim head coach Gary Smith’s position a permanent one. Smith himself seems unsure of his wishes. “I think I need to sit down, take a deep breath,” he told Brian Forbes. […]

It’s arguable whether or not Real Salt Lake’s “perfect ten” record (10-10-10) merits a place in the postseason, but after four barren years Coach Jason Kreis believes unequivocally that that his side deserves to be there, and welcomes the little bit of luck that took them into the playoffs. “There’s been a lot of points […]

The late winning goal by Columbus Crew’s Brad Evans was irrelevant to D.C. United by the time it finally ended the team’s tardy but impressive final-day bid for the postseason, writes Steven Goff. “A tie would not have done United any good, and with each agonizing miss during a scoreless game, its hopes faded into […]