Author Archives: Soccer America

It’s highly unlikely, but with the introduction of the so-called “Beckham Rule,” Jonah Freedman of SI.com says Major League Soccer may be well on its way to a professional soccer revolution in this country. Freedman says that without a doubt, the fact that salary cap restrictions no longer apply to “designated players” means bigger stars […]

GAMES ON TV (thru 12/3): Your Viewing Guide

(All times ET unless noted. Consult your regular television listings guides for availability in your area. Schedules are subject to change.) FRIDAY, Dec. 1 ESPN2 Women's College NORTH CAROLINA-UCLA, Div. I, Semifinal (live), 3:30 pm. Men's College UCLA-VIRGINIA, Div. I, Semifinal (live), 6 pm. ESPNU Women's College NORTH CAROLINA-UCLA, Div. I, Semifinal (live), 3:30 pm. […]

AMERICANS ABROAD: Reyna shines, says he'll stay; McBride scores against

A day after assuring Manchester City fans that he wasn't planning on leaving for MLS in January, former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna helped Man City win its first road game of the season, 3-1 over Aston Villa. Reyna, coming off two performances that Man City coach Stuart Pearce called outstanding, was among the Blues' highest […]

AWARDS: Lilly nominated for FIFA award

American Kristine Lilly is one of three finalists for the FIFA Women's World Player award. Lilly, who game-winning goals gave the USA the Gold Cup and Peace Queen Cup championships this fall, is joined by Germany's Renate Lingor and Brazil international Marta as finalists. Lilly, the world record holder with 319 caps, has never previously […]

MEXICO: Busy Pachuca gets result with reserves

Pachuca tied Toluca, 1-1, in the first leg of the Mexican semifinals using mainly reserves on Wednesday. The regulars were rested for Thursday's Copa Sudamericana first-leg final on Thursday against Chile's Colo Colo (TV: Fox Sports en Espanol, 8 pm ET). Pachuca will advance to the Mexican league final with a tie in Sunday's leg […]

WANTED: Avid players for shoe testing

Men who play soccer three to four times a week and who wear size 9 shoes are being sought by Reebok's Human Performance Engineering Lab to serve as product testers. Contact Erik da Silva at: erik.dasilva@reebok.com

OBITUARY: Max Merkel made mark with wins and wit

Austrian Max Merkel coached four clubs to league titles in three countries and coached the Dutch national team. As a player, he was capped by Germany in 1939 and Austria in 1952. As a coach and later as a columnist for Bild, Merkel was known for his sense of humor and many of his remarks […]

US YOUTH SOCCER: Boys Interregional All-Star Teams

The following are the US Youth Soccer boys all-star teams, as selected after the ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional at the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex: 1990 US Youth Soccer Boys All Star Team Christian Barreiro (Baltimore Casa Mia Bays),Shawn Barry (Boca Juniors, Fla.),Phillip Boerger (Wings SC, Minn.), Nathan Bourdeau (Rochester Rhinos, N.Y.) Brice Carr […]

Wake Forest-UC Santa Barbara men's semifinal preview

After previewing the North Carolina-UCLA and Notre Dame-Florida State games in Friday's Women's College Cup semifinals, Soccer America turns to the Men's College Cup with Friday's Wake Forest-UC Santa Barbara game in St. Louis. The Demon Deacons are making their College Cup debut two years after UCSB make its first appearance in the final four. […]

College Soccer Reporter, Story

3. MLS: Initial adidas combine players announced

MLS announced the initial list of 58 college seniors who will participate in the 2007 adidas MLS Player Combine Jan. 5-8 at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The coaching staffs and general managers from all 13 MLS teams will be in attendance to scout talent for the 2007 MLS SuperDraft will be held on […]

College Soccer Reporter, Story

1. Wake Forest-UC Santa Barbara men’s semifinal preview

After previewing the North Carolina-UCLA and Notre Dame-Florida State games in Friday’s Women’s College Cup semifinals, Soccer America turns to the Men’s College Cup with Friday’s Wake Forest-UC Santa Barbara game in St. Louis. The Demon Deacons are making their College Cup debut two years after UCSB make its first appearance in the final four. […]

7. WANTED: Avid players for shoe testing

Men who play soccer three to four times a week and who wear size 9 shoes are being sought by Reebok’s Human Performance Engineering Lab to serve as product testers. Contact Erik da Silva at: erik.dasilva@reebok.com

5. OBITUARY: Max Merkel made mark with wins and wit

4. MEXICO: Busy Pachuca gets result with reserves

Pachuca tied Toluca, 1-1, in the first leg of the Mexican semifinals using mainly reserves on Wednesday. The regulars were rested for Thursday’s Copa Sudamericana first-leg final on Thursday against Chile’s Colo Colo (TV: Fox Sports en Espanol, 8 pm ET). Pachuca will advance to the Mexican league final with a tie in Sunday’s leg […]

2. AMERICANS ABROAD: Reyna shines, says he’ll stay; McBride scores against Arsenal

A day after assuring Manchester City fans that he wasn’t planning on leaving for MLS in January, former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna helped Man City win its first road game of the season, 3-1 over Aston Villa. Reyna, coming off two performances that Man City coach Stuart Pearce called outstanding, was among the Blues’ highest […]

1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

"You’d have thought after four games without a win he’d have suffered enough." — A BBC commentator after discovering that Bolton coach Sam Allardyce took a midweek trip to attend a Celine Dion concert in Las Vegas.

3. AWARDS: Lilly nominated for FIFA award

American Kristine Lilly is one of three finalists for the FIFA Women’s World Player award. Lilly, who game-winning goals gave the USA the Gold Cup and Peace Queen Cup championships this fall, is joined by Germany’s Renate Lingor and Brazil international Marta as finalists. Lilly, the world record holder with 319 caps, has never previously […]

6. US YOUTH SOCCER: Boys Interregional All-Star Teams

The following are the US Youth Soccer boys all-star teams, as selected after the ODP Boys Thanksgiving Interregional at the Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex: 1990 US Youth Soccer Boys All Star Team Christian Barreiro (Baltimore Casa Mia Bays), Shawn Barry (Boca Juniors, Fla.), Phillip Boerger (Wings SC, Minn.), Nathan Bourdeau (Rochester Rhinos, N.Y.) […]

MLS: Initial adidas combine players announced

MLS Should Test Video Replay

Major League Soccer is the perfect testing ground for video replay, writes Jamie Trecker of Fox Soccer. He says sports fans in the States are used to video replay in football, hockey and basketball, and they’re also used to frequent game stoppages. After all, America is the home of the breakaway penalty kick, introduced in […]

Soccer Violence in France Highlights Sociological Problem

France has a soccer problem: the sport is plagued by violence and hate, and something needs to be done. In recent years, Ligue 1 has become a breeding and testing ground for a group of fans who call themselves “The Ultras.” They’re racist, rightwing, anti-Semitic and violent, and they use the stadiums of Ligue 1 […]

Wenger Furious at Henry FIFA Snub

Arsene Wenger is furious that his striker and captain, Thierry Henry, has been snubbed from FIFA’s World Player of the Year award. The list is now down to three, with Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, retired France captain Zinedine Zidane, and Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho all vying for soccer’s top individual prize. Wenger has repeatedly claimed that […]

Amid Criticism, Defender Cannavaro is All Smiles with European Prize

Italy and Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro said he’s unconcerned by the criticism that’s come his way since France Football awarded him with the Ballon d’Or, or the European Player of the Year award, given annually to Europe’s top performer. Interestingly, most of the high-profile complaints came from Frenchman, including France coach Raymond Domenech, Olympique […]

2. MLS: College players invited to combine

MLS has named the first 58 players — from 44 Division I schools — who will attend a combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Jan. 5-8 to be viewed by MLS coaches in preparation for the 2007 MLS SuperDraft Jan. 12 in Indianapolis. Last year, 23 of the 48 players selected in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft […]

1. WHAT THEY’RE SAYING