Author Archives: Soccer America

Unfortunately, when British soccer fans think of wealthy Americans buying English soccer clubs, they think of the hostile scenes that marked the takeover of Manchester United by the unwanted Malcolm Glazer family. Years later, the Glazers largely kept their noses out of soccer matters, and the animosity has lessened, though the allegory for many still […]

Red Bulls managing director Marc de Grandpre admitted that the noticeable dramatic dip in attendance at games in Giants Stadium is disappointing, but management isn’t pulling the panic button yet. At 9,867 spectators per game, The Red Bulls are averaging the worst home attendance in the New York franchise’s history and the second-worst average in […]

As he does every week, ESPN Soccernet’s Phil Ball gives his impression of the weekend in Spain — and what a weekend it was. From spectacular and unexpected one-sided thrashings to closely contested, edge-of-your-seat matches capped by late winners, it was a weekend showcasing everything that’s been so special about this season in La Liga. […]

After the five luckless months Javier Mascherano endured at West Ham United, it’s little wonder the Argentine says. “I find it unbelievable to be involved in this final.” Indeed, nothing could have been more unlikely. Toiling away in the Hammers reserves as a club takeover and two different management regimes passed him by, Mascherano in […]

Simon Kuper of the Financial Times gives writes entertaining portrait of AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf, the man who after Kaka, perhaps, is most responsible for the Rossoneri reaching Wednesday’s Champions League final against Liverpool. “Well-meaning,” “intelligent,” self-righteous and supremely confident, Seedorf has one problem, according to his teammates: He won’t shut up. Former England […]

During a press conference in which he reflected on his first season at Chelsea, Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko told reporters he’d like to play in Major League Soccer one day. “Soccer is growing in the US and I would like to be a part of that,” he said. “I played there last summer against the […]

To the surprise of no one, Owen Hargreaves will be moving to Old Trafford this summer from Bayern Munich. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been chasing the player for nearly a year now, and Hargreaves himself stated his desire to join the club. Bayern President Franz Beckenbauer said Hargreaves would move to the […]

Three MLS games into BMO Field’s much-lauded existence, and Toronto FC owner Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment already had to make emergency repairs. Before TFC’s 2-1 loss at home to D.C. United, several bolts and fasteners snapped, though MLSE removed the debris and Saturday’s match ended up going off without a hitch. It was the club’s […]

Following a series of decidedly poor performances, an undermanned New York Red Bulls side put together a comprehensive team effort to blow by the Columbus Crew at home on Saturday. Regulars Claudio Reyna, Ronald Waterreus and Hunter Freeman were all injured, while 17-year old Jozy Altidore was at his high school prom, but in the […]

Where or where will Carlos Tevez be next season? Chelsea is interested, so is Real Madrid, and there isn’t a thing West Ham United, his current, uh, employer, can do about it. Tevez representative (and part-owner, incidentally) Kia Joorabchian is set to meet this week with West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson to discuss the player’s […]