Once known only within MLS circles as "a striker who made two unremarkable appearances as a sub for Toronto FC after three seasons during which he scored only three goals for his Bundesliga club," according to Elias Sports Bureau's Peter Hirdt, Colorado Rapids forward Conor Casey has "has revived his career and with it the […]
Author Archives: Soccer America
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Dos Santos Rising Up to Meet Expectations
In an article leading up to the massive USA-Mexico match, the New York Times' Jere Longman wondered what many fans south of the border have: if "young forward Giovani dos Santos will again be considered the future of Mexican soccer"? Having disappointed at different points in his still young career, but recently reignited wonder boy […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Bocanegra: ‘My Bad’ on Late Mexico Gamewinner
It's tough to step up and admit a mistake in a match as meaningful as Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Mexico City, but that's basically what U.S. defender Carlos Bocanegra did after the game, according to goal.com. "Me and Landon [Donovan] maybe got a little confused at the end. Maybe should've stayed inside and pushed […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Aguirre: ‘We Deserve a Taco After Eating …”
Tequila wasn't the only thing that the Mexican national team was likely enjoying after its emboldening 2-1 win over the USA, according to Coach Javier Aguirre. "Today we deserve a taco, because we had eaten nothing but (crap) for the last three to four months, excuse my language," said the relieved boss, who has done […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Lesson For U.S. Future: Holding Leads Means World Cup Wins
Echoing the frustration felt from dedicated footy fans to fair-weather “Sports Center” followers, the New York Times’ Michael Lewis provides perhaps the understatement of the U.S. Soccer year, saying “if the U.S. national team wants to make any sort of an impact in next year’s FIFA World Cup, it will have to find a way […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
World Cup 2010 Qualifying Results
[EUROPE] Germany remained in first place, while France, Croatia and Slovenia all got wins they needed to remain to contention for a possible second-place finish that would earn them a playoff in European qualifying. Scotland, on the other hand, tumbled badly. Its 4-0 loss to Norway in Oslo was a major blow to its chances of finishing second in its group already won by the Netherlands.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I think it was a tight game and a fair score. It’s a tough loss, to have so many guys work so hard and then we give up a late goal.”
— U.S. coach Bob Bradley on his team’s 2-1 loss to Mexico.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Aguirre: It’s tequila time
[MEXICO REACTION] No one was more relieved that Mexico had beaten the USA than its coach, Javier Aguirre. For the second time in eight years, “El Vasco” had been called in to lead Mexico in a key qualifier against the USA and accomplished the task. His reaction? “We can have a couple of tequilas tonight,” he said.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Players bemoan missed opportunity
[U.S. REACTION] Members of the U.S. national team bemoaned the missed opportunity to take a point at Azteca and jeopardize Mexico’s chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Here’s what Charlie Davies, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Carlos Bocanegra and Tim Howard had to say after the 2-1 loss in Mexico City …
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Wining Italians Leave Bad Impression in China
After 2009 Italian Serie A league winner Inter Milan and Cup winner Lazio played their Super Cup match in China, the hosts complained about the clubs’ prodigious wine consumption and the insults of Inter coach Jose Mourinho. “Just on wine, they ran up a bill of 70,000 yuan ($10,240),” said Wang Bo, who looked after […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
The Old Fan Chase Excuse
Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter told a court the reason he was driving 112 mph with a patrol car on his tail was because he thought a car of full of Newcastle United fans chasing was him for a fight. "My heart was beating fast, I was scared and I wanted to get home as quickly […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Gulati: Bradley Will Coach at World Cup
The Washington Post's Steven Goff reports on a Mexico City press conference in which U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati was asked by Mexican reporters to compare Mexico's frequent coaching changes with the longevity of U.S. bosses. "We don't have that same sort of public pressure," Gulati said. "It's increasing, which is a good thing […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Colorado Rapids Lose Midfielder to ACL Injury
Colorado Rapids midfielder Colin Clark has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee from an injury suffered the injury in training on Tuesday. He will miss the remainder of the 2009 season. Clark started in 16 games this season and had three goals and a career-high five assists. Clark […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Government Bailout for Argentine Season
The Argentine league season, whose Aug. 14 start date was postponed because of severe financial problems facing the country’s top clubs, could kick off Aug. 21 amid a proposed government takeover of television rights to the games. The government has proposed paying the clubs $154 million for rights to televise the season, which would force […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Steven Gerrard to Miss Netherlands Clash
Steven Gerrard has pulled out of the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam because of a groin strain. He is replaced by Aston Villa’s Ashley Young, who has five England caps. While training on Monday, Gerrard felt a slight soreness in the leg and it was decided to pull him out […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Bruce Arena on the Azteca Showdown
Current Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena coached the USA in Azteca Stadium three times: a 1-0 overtime loss in the 1999 Confederations Cup semifinal and 1-0 and 2-1 losses in World Cup qualifiers in 2001 and 2005. But he guided the USA to its greatest win over Mexico, the 2-0 victory in the round […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
The English Premier League season kicks off this weekend. In USL action, Miami hosts Minnesota on Friday. WPS playoffs start on Saturday when Sky Blue takes on Washington. MLS and Mexican matches will be played throughout the weekend. Look for updates in Friday’s Soccer on TV.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
World Cup qualifying in brief
[HEXAGONAL] Four and half hours after Mexico and the USA kick off at Azteca, two other Concacaf qualifiers begin: Honduras-Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago-El Salvador. If Costa Rica and the USA take points on the road, they will maintain their lead at the top of the Hexagonal standings. But if both lose, the race for the three automatic berths will tighten considerably. For the Hexagonal standings, schedule and past results …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA’s real record at Azteca
[MAKING A LIST] In story after story this week, it’s been stated that the USA is 0-18-1 at Azteca Stadium. Problem is, Azteca wasn’t opened until 1966 — after the first 10 Mexico-USA games in Mexico City — all Mexico wins, of course — took place. The USA’s record at Azteca is a still-miserable 0-8-1. Here’s a look at where the USA and Mexico played in the pre-Azteca days …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“You’re not playing on a level field. At sea level, I’d favor the U.S. But it’s hard, an awesome challenge. The elevation, the sightlines are difficult. It’s 20 yards from the touchlines to the dugouts. The massive field looks like it’s out in the country. You have the heat. It all gets to your head. We tried oxygen at halftime. We tried a lot of things.”
— Former U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena on the Mexico-USA World Cup qualifier. Arena teams lost to Mexico three times at Azteca — 1-0 in overtime in the semifinals of the 1999 Confederations Cup, 1-0 in World Cup qualifying in 2001 and 2-1 in qualifying four years later.
(New York Daily News)
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Cops help lost Kaka
[OFF THE POST] Brazilian star Kaka got lost while taking a morning walk in the Estonian capital of Tallinn the day before Brazil’s friendly against Estonia. Two police officers who recognized the $90 million man and learned that he couldn’t find his way back to the hotel drove him back in their patrol car.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Altidore Seals Deal With Hull
Jozy Altidore, the 19-year-old U.S. striker, was granted a UK work permit and has officially joined English Premier League club Hull on a one-year loan deal from Spain's Villarreal. Altidore joined Villarreal a year ago from the New York Red Bulls. His deal includes an option for Hull to make the move permanent next summer. […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Sounders Strive to Stop Skid
In an effort to stem its recent run of poor form, the Seattle Sounders FC veterans took the first hour of Monday’s training to refocus the team. They took turns sharing anecdotes about past struggles and the tactics they used to overcome them. The Sounders were routed 4-0 by San Jose and 1-0 by Real […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Donovan Could Make It Happen
If the USA manages to get a result in Mexico City it will likely be thanks to Landon Donovan. The USA is 7-1-2 against Mexico in the 10 games that Donovan has played and 4-0-0 in games in which he has scored against Mexico. Donovan, the USA's all-time scoring leader with 41 goals in 115 […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Adu May Be Headed To Denmark
Freddy Adu may be on the verge of joining Odense BK in Denmark on a one-year loan from his Portuguese club Benfica, which last season loaned him out to French Ligue 1 club Monaco, where he sat on the bench. Adu, 20, recently denied a reported move back to FC Dallas in MLS and said […]