Author Archives: Soccer America

The Times’ George Caulkin waxes poetic about David Beckham’s last day at the Santiago Bernabeu, a place he’s called home for the last four years and where he had the rare opportunity of walking away as a champion in his final appearance. But Real Madrid, as ever, made tough work of their pre-ordained conclusion, beginning […]

Those who don’t believe need only be strapped in front of a TV and forcibly subjected to the 6,840 minutes that made up the 2006-07 season for Real Madrid and Barcelona. Indeed, forget about luck, something far stronger-call it Fate-drove the Merengues’ to their first La Liga title in four years. Just ask Zinedine Zidane: […]

Without question, 22-year-old Benny Feilhaber has been one of the biggest revelations since Bob Bradley took charge of the U.S. national team late last year. In just four topsy-turvy years, Feilhaber has gone from being a walk-on at UCLA to becoming a starting central midfielder for the U.S. national team. However, his national team success […]

When Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard actually used him, Javier Saviola played quite well this season, but the Argentine striker has now made it clear he’ll be departing the Nou Camp this summer. Adored by the Catalan fans, Saviola was unappreciated by Barca’s management and Rijkaard in particular, who reacted with indifference when the 25-year-old said […]

Speculation is rife in England that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry will be heading to the Nou Camp this summer, possibly in exchange for Samuel Eto’o, while Chelsea’s Andriy Shevchenko is close to making a shocking return to European Champion AC Milan, the club that sold him to the Blues for nearly $60 million just last […]

Remember the so-called “bungs” scandal that threatened to bring the English Premier League’s shady transfer system to its knees? Well, former Police Commissioner Lord Stevens has now finished his inquiry into alleged illegal payments made between clubs and players’ agents in some 17 transfers. Chelsea, Newcastle, Bolton, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth were all named in Stevens’ […]

It’s taken nearly three years, but American goalkeeper Tim Howard is once again on top of his game: first choice at Everton and now, first choice for the U.S. national team. The 28-year-old’s career is rising again, but this time he’s learned not to take it for granted. “I still feel I have to prove […]

David Beckham quashed rumors linking him to a dramatic return to Real Madrid next season, telling reporters that there is no buyout clause in his contract and that he doesn’t wish to return to the club after his final match against Mallorca on Sunday. “I first realized I would be leaving Real in January when […]

It was the Carlos Pavon show at Reliant Stadium on Wednesday as a highly impressive Honduras pummeled Cuba 5-0 to finish top of Gold Cup Group C, ahead of Mexico and Panama, the previous leader, which had to settle for third after narrowly losing 1-0 to the Mexicans. Pavon hit the net four times, including […]

Following Honduras’ 5-0 rout of Cuba, Mexico knew it was playing for second place against Panama on Wednesday night, and a 60th-minute strike from Carlos Salcido proved to be enough to reach that goal. However, the Tricolores played far from inspiring stuff for long stretches, and overall, Panama looked the more dangerous of the two […]

Thanks to a series of bright performances in the Gold Cup, the United States jumped a whopping 13 places in the latest rankings from FIFA, from 29th to 16th, thanks to consecutive wins against China, Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago. The 4-0 victory against El Salvador will be added to the team’s results list when […]

As England’s Lions’ give away their national team fees to cancer research, a whole bunch of money is being lodged in the direction of certain teams in Spain to ensure that they, well, do their job- namely, win. As one of the tightest La Liga title races in history comes to its dramatic close, the […]