In the first of a three-game series of friendlies against Mexico, the U.S. women routed Mexico, 5-1, in St. Louis, Mo., in front of more than 10,000 fans. With Briana Scurry in goal, the USA came back after Mexico took a third-minute lead through Evelyn Lopez with goals by Heather O’Reilly, Abby Wambach (two goals), Kristine Lilly and Carli Lloyd.
Author Archives: Soccer America
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Solo’s Sorry
Prior to the U.S. women’s 5-1 win over Mexico on Saturday in its first game since its third-place finish at the Women’s World Cup, goalkeeper Hope Solo released a statement through U.S. Soccer in which she apologized for lashing out following the 4-0 semifinal loss to Brazil: “I would like to apologize to my teammates, coaches and everyone else adversely affected by my comments at the Women’s World Cup. This public apology comes later than it should have, but I hope that does not diminish the fact that I am truly sorry. I made a mistake and I take full responsibility for my actions. I let my teammates down and have lost their trust. …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
World Cup 2010 Qualifying Results
World Cup qualifying kicked off in South America, Africa and Asia. FIFA ordered the New Zealand-Fiji game suspended because of a dispute over the New Zealand government’s failure to grant a visa for the Fifi starting goalie. For all the qualifying results …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Euro 2008 Qualifying Results
Both Poland (Group A) and Greece (Group C) stretched their leads from two to four points with wins in Euro ’08 qualifying on Saturday. Romania opened up a three-point lead in Group H when it beat the Netherlands, 1-0. For all the results, goalscorers and standings …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
OFF THE POST: China boot camp backfires
The Chinese Olympic team and national team players were given crew cuts and put through a military-style boot camp, to “make the army’s spirit the national team’s soul,” said Chinese soccer federation co-director Nan Yong. The players practiced standing at attention, marching, running in formation and saluting. But two players ended up getting suspended from the Olympic team for asking an army officer a “lewd question.” Dai Lin, 19, and Jiang Chen, 21, had queried whether he had ever been with a prostitute.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Reality Weighs on International Appearances
In a perfect world, national team coaches would be able to call up the best players to play for their country all the time. But, as the International Herald Tribune’s Rob Hughes points out, things like injuries, egos, politics and poor decision-making always get in the way. In England, the politics of club vs. country […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Becks Unlikely to Play TFC
David Beckham may be back training full-time with the L.A. Galaxy, but team GM Alexi Lalas says he’s unlikely to return against Toronto FC this weekend. “The good news is that he is training and doing everything that all the other players are doing,” Lalas told Reuters in a telephone interview on Thursday. “I doubt […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Raul Omission at a Sensitive Time for Spain
Despite returning to top form, Real Madrid striker Raul has once again been left off of Luis Aragones’ national team squad, a decision that’s drawn the ire of soccer officials and media critics across Spain. Raul has scored four goals and three assists in nine games so far this year, recalling the form of his […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
UEFA President Rails Against Video Replay
UEFA President Michel Platini adamantly opposes the idea of using video replay to make on-field decisions, saying the introduction of technology would disrupt the flow of matches and bring about the end of traditional refereeing. “Video is a big problem for me. You would have to stop the game every 10 seconds, for every decision […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Wenger Slams Foreign Quota Proposal
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger and others have railed against FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s proposal to introduce a foreign player quota. A few weeks ago, the FIFA President floated the idea, claiming that a foreign player quota would encourage greater competition in the world’s biggest leagues, which are often dominated by a handful of clubs. Wenger […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
South American qualifying for the 2010 World Cup kicks off this weekend. Besides live and delayed coverage on GolTV, the South American qualifiers will also be available in theaters on closed circuit, on pay-per-view on DISH Network and for a fee online at JUMPTV. There’s also European Championship qualifying and Mexico meets Nigeria in a friendly on Sunday. D.C. United’s trip to Chicago highlights the MLS action.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Soccer America Men’s Top 25 Results & Schedules
No. 1 Connecticut travels to No. 3 Notre Dame Saturday in a battle of Big East powers. Two other important Top 25 showdowns pit No. 9 Northwestern against No. 13 Indiana in the Big Ten and No. 10 Harvard against No. 14 Brown in the Ivy League. For the complete Top 25 results and schedules …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Soccer America Women’s Top 25 Results & Schedules
A pair of in-state clasicos should draw huge crowds this weekend. No. 1 Texas travels to College Station to face No. 14 Texas A&M at Aggie Soccer Stadium, where the Longhorns have lost every game they’ve played. No. 15 BYU will put its unbeaten record on the line Saturday when it meets Utah at South Stadium in a battle of two of the nation’s top forwards, BYU’s Katie Larkin (12 goals) and the Utes’ Adele Letro (15 goals). For the complete Top 25 results and schedules …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
TALE OF THE TAPE: Santa Clara vs. San Francisco
Santa Clara and Francisco, who have played early year since 1967, renew one of the oldest men’s rivalries on the West Coast when they meet Friday night at Buck Shaw Stadium in a WCC match televised on Fox Soccer Channel (kickoff: 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET). Santa Clara, ranked No. 6 in the latest Soccer America Top 25 rankings, carries a seven-game unbeaten streak into the game, while the Dons look to bounce back after opening WCC play with a pair of shutout losses to Portland (1-0) and No. 23 Gonzaga (2-0) at home.
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
Virginia women extend unbeaten streak to 10 games
[TOP 25 WOMEN’S ACTION] No. 4 Virginia extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games with a 3-0 victory over N.C. State Thursday afternoon at Method Road Stadium. In other Top 25 action, Boston College fell for the first time this season, losing at Miami (Fla.), 1-0, on an own goal in the 89th minute. No. 15 BYU improved to 11-0-2 with a 4-1 victory over TCU. For all of Thursday’s Top 25 women’s action …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
NCAA Division I Women’s Thursday Results
Boston University, Stony Brook and Hartford all posted wins to remain unbeaten in America East play. Marisa Viola extended her shutout streak to 735 minutes in Stony Brook’s 1-0 win over New Hampshire. Creighton snapped Drake’s 18-game Missouri Valley Conference undefeated streak with a 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs. For all the women’s scores …
Posted inCollege Soccer Reporter, Story
NCAA Division I Men’s Thursday Results
Campbell took the lead in the Atlantic Sun with a 2-1 win over Belmont on Richard Jata‘s goal in the 100th minute on Thursday. For all the men’s scores …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Euro ’08 Qualifying TV Schedule
With four games to play, action heats up in Euro ’08 qualifying. Of the 21 games scheduled for Saturday, 11 are available live or on delay on cable or pay-per-view.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I believe that my feeling of being offended is the same one felt by the majority of women in Trento. I would hope that the team — which also receives public funding — would want to find a remedy for this situation as soon as possible.”
— Iva Berasi, a councilwomen of the Italian city of Trento, is not too pleased that the city’s Fourth Division club, Trento Calcio 1921, signed a sponsorship deal with Austrian-based brothel Casa Bianca. (UPI)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Dida suspended for milking fan attack
[VIDEO] AC Milan’s Brazilian goalkeeper Dida has been banned for two Champions League games for exaggerating the effects of a light slap to the face by a field invader in Glasgow during AC Milan’s 2-1 loss to Celtic last week.
The Celtic fan, who received a lifetime stadium ban from the club, ran onto the field after Dida gave up a goal and delivered what looked like a gentle strike. Dida started to pursue the culprit for a few steps before dropping to the ground.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
‘The game has to come naturally’
Feedback from Soccer America readers on “Reviving the Pickup Game,” by Sam Snow, US Youth Soccer’s Director of Coaching Education.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The Emerging Michael Bradley
Grant Wahl of SI.com has a lengthy article on the coach’s son, national team midfielder Michael Bradley, who Wahl says is arguably the most improved U.S. player in the past year. He’s also played a heck of a lot of soccer: in addition to the nine months Bradley’s put in for Heerenveen, he’s also made […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
South Africa 2010: So Far, So Good
To the surprise of many — including a few sportswriters who live in the country — South Africa continues to pass FIFA’s regular progress inspections in preparation for hosting the 2010 World Cup. During the most recent visit, South African organizers brought executives from the game’s world governing body on a tour to the four […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Altidore Could Be Out the Door When He Turns 18
Jozy Altidore stars in another “Next Big Thing” article, this one from ABC News. This could be his last season in MLS. Altidore turns 18 on Nov. 6, making him eligible to move abroad. And after a string of impressive performances for both the New York Red Bulls and the U-20 national team at the […]