The MLS standings don’t accurately reflect the form of the league’s teams, says Bill Urban of USSoccerPlayers, because of the big discrepancy between the number of games each has played. Los Angeles, for instance, may have the second-worst record in the league with 14 points, but it’s only played 14 games, whereas Houston, the league’s […]
Author Archives: Soccer America
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Turf Comes Back to Haunt Becks
Becks is likely to make his first start for the Galaxy against the Eastern Conference-leading New England Revolution on Sunday — that is, if his tender left ankle holds up on the turf. Indeed, the L.A. Galaxy star revealed that he’s no fan of FieldTurf. In fact, Beckham was forced to apologize for his negative […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
The Bundesliga kicks off on Friday with 2006-07 champion Stuttgart hosting runner-up Schalke. Defending English Premier League champion Manchester United begins its title defense on Sunday against Reading.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Soccer on TV
The Bundesliga kicks off on Friday with 2006-07 champion Stuttgart hosting runner-up Schalke. Defending English Premier League champion Manchester United begins its title defense on Sunday against Reading.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Major German Bundesliga Transfers
Bayern Munich was involved in the largest German Bundesliga transfer deals involving the sale of a player from a foreign club (Franck Ribery), the sale of a player to a foreign club (Owen Hargreaves) and the sale of a player between German clubs (Miroslav Klose).
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“There are moves to give it to England. I must fight that. I really don’t believe that we should just lay down and play dead to anyone who wants to take the World Cup from CONCACAF. I know in FIFA there are those persons who believe the rules should be changed to satisfy Europe but I tell you this today we shall fight it to the very end.”
and …
“If by chance, in 2018, the World Cup were to go to Europe, I’m quite sure, with the English luck as it is, they won’t get it. It’ll be Italy, Spain, or it might even be France. Nobody in Europe likes England. England — who invented the sport — has never had any impact on world football. England at no time has had the love and support of Europe. For Europe, England is an irritant.”
— Trinidadian Jack Warner, president of CONCACAF and a powerful member of FIFA’s executive committee, in a BBC World Service interview to be broadcast on Saturday, dismissing England’s chances if FIFA’s rotation policy brought the World Cup finals to Europe in 2018. If FIFA’s current rotation system was maintained, a CONCACAF nation (USA?) would be selected to host the 2018 World Cup.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Americans in Germany (2007-08)
[MAKING A LIST] Of the 10 Americans in Germany’s two professional divisions, only two — Steve Cherundolo and Gregg Berhalter — were with teams in these divisions a year ago. Youngsters Kamani Hill, Neven Subotic and Sal Zizzo signed in the last year. Josh Wolff and Heath Pearce signed as free agents. Joe Enochs, Josh Grenier and Ian Joy, all German league veterans, moved to the Second Division when their clubs were promoted. Of the four First Division players, only Cherundolo and Pearce are expected to start when the Bundesliga kicks off this weekend.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Americans in England (2007-08)
[MAKING A LIST] Derby County’s signing of Benny Feilhaber brings to 10 the number of Americans in the English Premier League, which kicks off the 2007-08 season on Saturday. That number doesn’t include three teenagers in EPL youth academies. Five other Americans — including Gold Cup champions Jay DeMerit and Frank Simek — are in the lower English divisions.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Nowak’s Olympic Hopefuls
Peter Nowak will have a deep squad of players to pick for the U.S. under-23 national team that will attempt to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games. Players must be born on or after Jan. 1, 1985. Ten U-23 candidates have been capped at the senior level. Many U-23 possibles are from the U.S. U-20 team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada. Here’s a list of some of the leading candidates.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Peter Nowak named U.S. Olympic men’s team coach
Former Polish international Peter Nowak has been named the head coach of the U.S. under-23 men’s national team that will attempt to qualify for the the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Pressure’s On at Anfield
Outside Anfield, the excitement is mounting ahead of the 2007-08 EPL season. Inside, however, it’s the pressure that’s rising. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was given the money he needed to strengthen the squad he described as inadequate following the Reds’ Champions League final loss to AC Milan some three months ago. Eight players and an […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
EPL to Change Player Loan, Transfer Rules
The Carlos Tevez fiascoes (yes, plural) have prompted the English Premier League to introduce a rule change regarding player transactions that would have a direct impact on transfers, registration, loan deals and agent compensation. The move follows a season in which Kia Joorabchian, the Iranian businessman who held on to the economic rights of Carlos […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Americans in Germany Prepare for Bundesliga Season
The English Premier League isn’t the only major European league opening its gates this weekend: the Bundesliga starts Friday when defending champ VfB Stuttgart take on last season’s No. 2, Schalke 04. In all, there are now 15 Americans playing in Germany, including five in the Bundesliga; USSoccerPlayers takes a look at their prospects for […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
A Big Night, With or Without Becks
With or without David Beckham, the sellout between the L.A. Galaxy and D.C. United (ESPN2, 7 pm EST) is a fitting Thursday night headliner, says Ian Plenderleith of USSoccerPlayers. History says goals when these two clubs meet at RFK, which has been a particularly happy hunting ground for L.A.’s Landon Donovan. Last year, Donovan’s two […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Becks Blasts Turf, Injury Critics
L.A. Galaxy midfielder David Beckham completed a full practice at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on Thursday before the Galaxy’s clash with D.C. United, but remained vague about his chances of playing. “It’s looking up,” Beckham said of the ankle injury that’s kept him sidelined for the last three weeks (with the exception of a […]
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Insider
Sun and shadows on high school soccer
There is much to do as a high school soccer coach. New uniforms have been ordered and sent to the silk-screener. Balls have been stored in the garage waiting for the night when I will pump up each one. Assistants have been lined up and forms distributed. The fall schedule has been carefully worked out with dates and times. An accident to one of our goals required a piece be sent to a local welder to be repaired.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I told her I had a match that day, but she wasn’t having any of that. She said it was only a friendly and that I had to help her.”
— Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on having been ruled out of attending Manchester United’s two pre-season friendlies on Wednesday — one against Glentoran in Belfast and another against Dunfermline in his native Scotland — by his wife Cathy. Ferguson is needed at home to organize their house move. He added that on the bright side she saved him from making a difficult choice. His father played for Glentoran, but he has close ties with Dunfermline.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Soccer on TV
The Bundesliga kicks off on Friday with 2006-07 champion Stuttgart hosting runner-up Schalke. Defending English Premier League champion Manchester United begins its title defense on Sunday against Reading.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
English Premier League Transfers
Team-by-team movement in the English Premier League, which begins the 2007-08 season on Saturday.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Former champions Red Star and Steaua advance in Champions League qualifying
Former European champion Red Star Belgrade lost at Estonian champion Levadia Tallin, 2-1, on Wednesday but advanced to the third round of UEFA Champions League against Scottish club Rangers thanks to its away goal by playmaker Igor Burzanovic. Steaua Bucharest, another former European Cup champion, also advanced thanks to a 2-1 victory over Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin and 3-1 aggregate win.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
International Soccer Scoreboard
Wednesday’s results in UEFA Champions League qualifying and the third qualifying round draw, as well as league action in Europe and South America.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
UEFA Opens Racism Investigation in Montenegro
UEFA has responded to a plea from Glasgow Rangers to investigate alleged racial abuse of American midfielder DaMarcus Beasley during yesterday’s 1-0 win over FK Zeta in Champions League qualifying. Beasley, who scored the only goal, said the he and teammate, French Guyanan Jean-Claude Darcheville, were subjected to “monkey chants” during the match. “At this […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Robben Optimistic About Real Transfer
Arjen Robben’s move to Real Madrid now looks a virtual certainty after the Dutch winger proclaimed on Wednesday that he was “happy” with the Spanish champion’s interest in him. “Of course, Madrid’s interest makes me happy,” the striker said, speaking about the matter for the first time publicly. “But for now I can not say […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Szetela Deal Not Done, Feilhaber Eyes Derby Co.
Contrary to a North Jersey Herald report yesterday, Columbus Crew midfielder Danny Szetela has not finalized a move to AS Roma, although negotiations are ongoing, the player’s agent Shep Messing said on Wednesday. “We’re also in discussions with MLS,” he added. “From what I’m told, I should also expect one soon from Lazio…I don’t know […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Sven and the New Man City
Rob Hughes of the International Herald Tribune interviews former England coach Sven Goran-Eriksson, who’s now leading a revolution at Manchester City, thanks to a cash infusion from exiled Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the club’s new owner. Following England’s disappointing quarterfinal exit at the 2006 World Cup, Eriksson was forced to sit on the sidelines […]