Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle today, in a bid to stop persistent inflammation in his ankle joint, the club announced on its Web site. Reports in Spain claim the Dutch striker could miss the rest of the Spanish league season, although he’s expected to be available […]
Author Archives: Soccer America
Barca to Play Red Bulls in Preseason Tour
Soccer By Ives reveals that the New York Red Bulls-Barcelona friendly hinted at several weeks ago “is definitely happening.” The Bulls will face Barca on Aug. 7 at Giant’s Stadium, moving the NY club’s league match against D.C. United on Aug. 9 to Aug. 10 to accommodate the friendly. New York’s match against the New […]
Toronto’s Endures ‘Competitive Disadvantage’
Toronto FC supporters and officials complained last season about an MLS rule that counted U.S. players as internationals, putting the Canadian club at a disadvantage compared to other teams that could sign as many Americans as they could afford. TFC may have had the ability to sign Canadian-born players, but the Toronto Sun points out […]
Gazidis: Foreign Talent, Player Development Key to MLS Expansion
During a press conference earlier this week, MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis touched on a multitude of topics facing MLS as the league expands, including international competition, stadiums, schedules, designated players and the expected influx of foreigners in MLS. Overall, Gazidis said the league was in “very healthy condition” with new investors, partnerships and franchises, […]
What They’re Saying
“I am convinced that the serenity of the team comes with isolation.”
— France national team coach Raymond Domenech, who says his team will have the best chance of winning the European Championship if it is cut off from the outside world before and durintg the tournament. (AFP)
Sundhage calls in 26 players for pre-qualifying camp
[U.S. WOMEN] Coach Pia Sundhage has called in 26 players to training camp, beginning on Friday, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., to begin final preparations for the 2008 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament being held April 2-12 in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
U.S. Soccer Development Academy Results
Five teams remain unbeaten in the Under-15/16 Age Group of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy: Crossfire (7-0-0), U.S. youth national team (7-0-1), Miami FC Kendall (8-0-2), Michigan Wolves (4-0-1) and D.C. United (2-0-2). For all the weekend results and goal scorers …
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 opportunities in pro soccer, youth soccer, the soccer industry and television.
Chivas Refocuses Marketing Priorities
The David Beckham show may put butts in seats, but Chivas USA has become the more successful franchise on the field. Over the past two seasons, while the L.A. Galaxy was missing out on the playoffs and pointing fingers, Chivas quietly improved from a third- to first-place finish in the Western Conference last season. But […]
Toronto FC Close to Guevara Deal
Honduran midfielder Amado Guevara looks set to return to Major League Soccer with Toronto FC, league sources tell Ives Galarcep of ESPN Soccernet. Guevara spent the last year playing with Honduran club CD Motagua, on a loan deal from Chivas USA, his former club. In order to sign with Toronto, Guevara and MLS would have […]
Nowak Criticisms Unwarranted
Coach Peter Nowak has been widely criticized for the way the US U-23s have played so far in Olympic qualifying. A poor 1-1 draw with Cuba was followed by a decent 1-0 victory over Panama. Resting several starters, Nowak’s men were lucky to beat Honduras, 1-0, on a 95th-minute penalty. Nevertheless, the U-23s are now […]
Sanchez: I Won’t Quit
Despite calls for his resignation from the Mexican press, Hugo Sanchez said he would not resign as coach of Mexico’s senior and U-23 national teams, after arriving in Mexico City following the team’s failure to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. “I’ve said it already, I’m not resigning,” Sanchez told a news conference at the Mexico […]
Long Path to MLS for Cuba’s Defectors
The seven players who defected from Cuba’s Olympic qualifying team hope to follow in the footsteps of Chivas USA star Maykel Galindo, who defected to the U.S. in the summer of 2005, before joining the MLS club in January 2007. “He not only influenced me but influenced all of us who made the decision,” goalkeeper […]
Texas team knocks off defending champion Sao Paulo
[DALLAS CUP] Andromeda, the lone American entrant in this year’s Super Group at the Dallas Cup created a sensation on Sunday when it knocked off defending champion Sao Paulo of Brazil, 5-2, on the opening day of play at the famed international soccer tournament.
Newcastle’s poor run under Keegan continues
[ENGLAND] Michael Owen’s second-half goal gave Newcastle United a 1-1 tie at Birmingham City, but it left Manager Kevin Keegan still without a win in eight Premier League matches since rejoining the Magpies.
Winter Transfer Moves
[AMERICANS ABROAD] Kyle Veris, who played for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, became the 13th American who played in MLS in 2007 to sign this winter with a European club. For all the winter overseas transfers involving Americans …
NFL executive Manning returns to soccer as RSL president
After four years as an executive with the NFL Philadelphia Eagles, Bill Manning is returning to soccer as the president of Real Salt Lake. Manning, an All-American at the University of Bridgeport, worked in the CISL, A-League and MLS, where he was president and general manager for the last two years of the Tampa Bay Mutiny’s existence.
What They’re Saying
“I speak for all of Argentina when I say that we do not fear the altitude. All of us have to play where we were born, my brothers and sisters. Not even God can ban that — much less [FIFA president Sepp] Blatter.”
— Former Argentine great Diego Maradona after scoring three goals to lead a team of ex-Argentine players to a 7-4 win over Bolivian President Evo Morales‘ team of former Bolivian greats, palace staffers, security guards and local television newcasters in a charity match played before 25,000 fans in La Paz’s Hernando Siles Stadium, high in the Andes at 11,800 feet. FIFA effectively banned international games from taking place in La Paz after ratifying a rule requiring players to arrive at the host city a week before international games above 9,000 feet and two weeks for matches higher than 9,800 feet to allow time to adjust to the thin air.
Beckham Passes English Test
David Beckham’s desire to play for his country has never been in question — neither has his ability to deliver a ball with accuracy. Now that the former England captain is 32, the questions are over his fitness and mental sharpness. Luckily for both Beckham and England manager Fabio Capello, who sent general manager Franco […]
Newcastle, Keegan Must Pass Birmingham Test
Former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce was sacked for producing a mid-table club. His successor, Kevin Keegan, has guided the team to just two points since taking charge in January, leaving Newcastle three points above the relegation zone with nine games left to play. Midway through March, Keegan still hasn’t won a Premier League game, and […]
Galaxy’s Gaping Depth Problem
If you take David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Carlos Ruiz out of the picture, the Los Angeles Galaxy’s roster looks pretty threadbare, says ESPN’s Steve Davis. Aside from the marquee trio, there are maybe three or four guys you could call genuine professionals. “The remainder of the roster is a selection of MLS day laborers,” […]
Ferrari Still Waiting for Serie A Debut
Since signing with Sampdoria in January 2007, Gabriel Ferrari has come close to making his Serie A debut. Last season, having already come off the bench in a Coppa Italia game against Inter Milan, the young American was waiting to be introduced in a league game against AC Milan when the referee blew the final […]
Soccer on TV
In midweek action, D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo host the second legs of their Concacaf Championship Cup quarterfinal matchups while the USA will try to clinch a spot in the 2008 Olympic Games when it faces Canada on Thursday.
English lead changes again
[EUROPEAN RACES] Manchester United regained the lead in the English Premier League when it won, 1-0, at win at Derby County, while Arsenal endured its fourth straight tie with a 1-1 draw at home against Middlesbrough. United now leads the Gunners on goal difference.
REPORT CARD: Keeper Cervi outstanding in American debut
[USA-HONDURAS GRADES] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the U.S. U-23 players in their 1-0 win over Honduras in Olympic qualifying on Saturday.
