“For the international project, we are looking to bring competitive games to our fans in the United States and the international expansion of the brand, also in the United States.”
— Michael Bauer, the new president of Mexico’s Club America, hinted at the possibilities of creating a sister club in MLS a la Chivas USA. (SI.com)
[REF WATCH] Referees, linesmen and fourth officials for the SuperLiga, the competition comprised of four MLS teams and four Mexican first division clubs, have been announced and include officials from the USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Surinam.
[EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES] Soccer America provides the latest on employment opportunities for soccer-related positions. They include college coaching opportunities, as well as opportunities in pro soccer, youth soccer, the soccer industry and television.
The Florida Youth Soccer Association is moving to the town of Auburndale in Polk County, where a 250-acre sports park will have eight soccer fields, training facilities and headquarters for the FYSA.
The U.S. under-17 boys national team celebrated July 4 with a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo on the first game of its two-week South American tour.
[CLUB PROFILE] The first U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Week kicks of this weekend at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Hometown LAFC is one of only two teams (along with CASL) to sweep conference titles in the U-17/18 and U-15/16 divisions. For more on LAFC, including video of its former MLS standouts talking about the club’s philosophy …
Thirty-six boys were named to Team Predator and Team adiPure for Monday’s All-Star game at the 2008 adidas Elite Soccer Program, which took place at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. The adidas esp program, started in 1997, is considered the most recognizable development program in American soccer, attracting dozens of scouts to watch the 102 players. For all the All-Star participants …
The U.S. under-18 girls national team defeated Denmark’s U-19 team, 5-0 and 3-0, and England’s U-19 team, 2-1, to sweep all three games on its short European tour.
In MLS’s Thursday night game, Los Angeles hosts Chivas USA in a battle for first place in the Western Conference. MLS clubs face Mexican foes when Superliga 2008 kicks off on Saturday. The U.S. women host Brazil in an Olympic tune-up on Sunday.
[RISING STAR] Before she made a name for herself in soccer, she excelled at baseball. Before she played for the USA, she traveled with Canada to a world championship. Since entering the U.S. club circuit, she has played for clubs in the state of Washington and Arizona. At the age of 18, Sydney Leroux has already had a full sports experience and it should only get more eventful.
All eight placement games during the U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s Finals Week at The Home Depot Center will be televised. ESPN2 will broadcast the championship game in the U-17/18 age group on July 18, while ESPNU will show the other seven games on July 18-19. Group play takes place July 12-16. For the complete Final Weeks schedule …
Four defending national champions head the field for the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships July 22-27 in Little Rock, Ark. Andromeda (U-18) and the Casa Mia Bays (U-15) defend their boys titles, while the Bloomfield Force (U-19) and So Cal Blues (U-16) look to repeat on the girls side. For all the finalists and complete schedules …
Have you enjoyed a unique soccer experience recently? Do you have something to say to your fellow players, coaches or parents? Would you like to contribute to the Youth Soccer Reporter‘s Youth View. If you’re interested email Soccer America with your name, your idea and contact information.
The English FA is banning “competitive” soccer leagues for under-8s. Children will still be playing games, but results and league standings won’t be compiled. U.S. Soccer also recommends “no organized matches where the score is recorded” at that age level. Let us know what approach your youth league takes and whether you believe eliminating scores and standings produces better players. …
“As a 12-year-old, he is as good as anybody else around the world.”
— Marcio Leite, coach of the Dallas Texans Red, on 12-year-old Emerson Hyndman, grandson of FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman, whose soccer talents have attracted the attention of English Premier League clubs. (Click here for video of Emerson Hyndman’s juggling drills.)
In the past 15 years, little has been safe from the rebranding zeal of soccer’s purported modernizers. Europe’s soccer governing body has now tabled a proposal to re-christen its UEFA Cup competition as the UEFA Europa League. “The hope is that a refreshment of the name and brand can help achieve better results than […]
Benjie Goodhart profiles the soccer chops of Bolivia’s President Evo Morales.
Manchester City’s owner and former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is on trial in his native land on corruption charges related to a Bangkok real estate deal.
Kristian Dyer looks at the sorry state of the New York Red Bulls, and how Coach Juan Carlos Osorio’s roster decisions have led them down the Eastern Conference.
A player at second-tier English team Crystal Palace revealed to the world that he was planning to leave the club for the Premier League’s Fulham by announcing the news on his Facebook page. Ashley-Paul Robinson, 19, posted a message on the social networking site that could be read by 2.7 million members to say […]
Earlier this week we learned that Pablo Mastroeni, aged 31, is ready to try his luck in Europe. Josh Wolff is the same age and is already on his way back, returning to the Kansas City Wizards after two years at German second division club 1860 Munich. “There was nothing for me in Germany,” […]
Just over a week after his return was hailed by the home crowd at RFK Stadium, D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen underwent further surgery on his left ankle Monday, reports Paul Tenorio. According to team spokesman Doug Hicks, the surgery was “to try to help the healing process. This is not expected to end his […]
At the end of last season, German champion Bayern Munich played an exhibition game in India against Mohun Bagan in front of 125,000 fans, pocketing around $3 million for its troubles. But that money, which was put up by a private Indian company, could surely have been better invested to the benefit of Indian soccer, […]
[OFF THE POST] Newcastle United has denied reports that the Saudi Binladen Group (SBG), a multinational construction conglomerate whose chief executive is Osama Bin Laden‘s half-brother Bakr Bin Laden, has made a $600 million bid for the English Premier League team.
“I would die fighting for people’s rights, but if I don’t get that chance, I would like to die playing soccer.”
— Bolivia President Evo Morales, who has seen action for second division club Litoral this season and credits his soccer background – he founded a team at age 13 and was its captain and coach – for his leadership skills. (Guardian)
