LDU Quito added the South American Supercup to its 2008 Copa Libertadores victory when it beat Internacional of Brazil 4-0 on aggregate on Thursday. LDU, which lost the Club World Cup final 1-0 to Manchester United last December, beat Internacional 3-0 at home in the second leg. Argentine striker Claudio Bieler scored twice, once in […]
Author Archives: Soccer America
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Workers’ Strike Continues in South Africa
Striking construction workers at 2010 World Cup stadiums have until Tuesday to consider a new offer by employers, according to the AP. The strike, which entered its third day Friday, is threatening to derail already tight schedules for construction projects supposed to be completed by December. Union official Rufus Dizana says employers offered workers a […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Mourinho Already in Midseason Press Conference Form
Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho fired back at journalists’ questions with the type of terse, bizarre and controversial lines that he has become famous for. Mourinho even strangely joked that a reporters’ line of questioning sounded “gay” when he was pressed to give a clue about the type of defender he was looking for. “You […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Benzema Had His Pick of Powers
“There were quite a few clubs that contacted me, like Manchester United, Inter Milan and Barcelona, but I decided to come here,” Karim Benzema said of joining Real Madrid. “I’ve dreamed about playing here since I was 15 years of age.” The French international added: “Real Madrid president Florentino Perez spoke to me about the […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Chivas USA and Galaxy Clash Thick With Subplots
The rivalry between Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy has always been a tempestuous one, but Saturday's SuperClasico is shaping up to be the most intriguing editions of the battle yet. Plot lines abound, such as the media frenzy surrounding Landon Donovan's recent criticisms about teammate David Beckham, or last week's trade of striker […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Donovan Awaits Confrontation With Beckham
When David Beckham returns to the Galaxy this weekend he and teammate Landon Donovan will have some tension to alleviate. Donovan says he is eager to explain his criticisms of Beckham's commitment to the team that appear in a soon-to-be published book, "The Beckham Experiment." "I don't apologize for what I said," Donovan said Thursday. […]
Posted inSoccer on TV., Story
Soccer on TV
The CONCACAF Gold Cup rolls on. The USA plays Haiti on Saturday. On the U.S. pro scene, catch Games of the Week: USL, Rochester-Puerto Rico (Friday), MLS, Chicago-Columbus (Saturday) and WPS, Boston-Sky Blue FC (Sunday).
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA ’09 on television
[GOLD CUP] Group play at the Gold Cup concludes with games Friday-Sunday. Saturday’s USA-Haiti at Gillette Stadium is — rare for a doubleheader involving the host team — the opening game of the Group B twinbill and available on Fox Soccer Channel and TeleFutura (kickoff: 7 pm ET). For the complete Gold Cup television schedule …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“I made a mistake. I spoke about something between the team publicly, and when David comes, I’m going to talk to him about it, man to man. The past year was hard for all of us, but I shouldn’t speak publicly like that. I should and will talk to David.”
— Landon Donovan, who was highly critical of Los Angeles Galaxy teammate David Beckham in the new book The Beckham Experiment, saying “he wasn’t committed” last season when the Galaxy failed to make the playoffs for the third straight year. (goal.com)
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Ronaldo Lights Up Fluminense With Hat Trick
Ronaldo scored three times as Corinthians beat Fluminense 4-2 in a Brazilian championship game at the Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo on Wednesday night. The goals marked Ronaldo’s first of the Brasileiro this season. The 2002 World Cup champion scored several goals in the Paulista State Championship and the Copa do Brasil, two championships that […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Arsenal’s Rosicky Finally Returns to Training
Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky hopes to be back in action during the opening weeks of the new campaign after almost 18 months out with injury. The Czech star last played against Newcastle in the FA Cup in January 2008. Since then a combination of injuries in his hamstring and knee tendons, which proved difficult to […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Cruzeiro and Estudiantes Play Out Scrappy Draw in Copa Libertadores
Brazil’s Cruzeiro ground out a scoreless draw at Estudiantes in the first leg of the final in the Argentine city of La Plata on Wednesday. Brazil national team goalkeeper Fabio made five brilliant saves for the visitors, including two against dangerous strikes from Juan Sebastian Veron. “We had the best chances… but their goalkeeper had […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Peterlin’s Coach Believes Young American Can Adapt and Succeed in England
English Premier League club Everton is hoping to complete a deal for the 22-year-old American Anton Peterlin by the end of the week. Graham Smith, Peterlin’s coach at the Ventura County Fusion, believes Peterlin can succeed in England but says he will need time to adapt. “A 22-year-old boy like Anton Peterlin, probably David Moyes […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Timing of Movsisyan Move Uncertain
Questions have surrounded Real Salt Lake striker Yura Movsisyan since word broke that he signed with Danish Superliga club Randers FC last weekend. Details of the commitment remain murky while the MLS and Randers sort out the details. Movsisyan says he will join the Horses as soon as circumstances permit. “If they come to an […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Adu and Feilhaber Returning to Europe
Freddy Adu played his final minutes in the 2009 Gold Cup against Honduras. He now returns to Portuguese club Benfica for preseason training in the hopes of earning the playing time that has eluded him of late. “This will be the last game that Freddy will appear in the Gold Cup,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Onyewu May Suit Up for Milan on U.S. Tour
AC Milan completed the signing of U.S. international Oguchi Onyewu this week on a free transfer from Belgian club Standard Liege. Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday reports the 27-year-old defender will fly to Italy’s fashion capital at the start of next week to undergo a routine medical with the Rossoneri before finalizing […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
USA ’09 on television
[GOLD CUP] Mexico makes a rare prime-time appearance on Univision when it faces Panama Thursday in Houston. For the complete Gold Cup television schedule …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Bradley likes second-half response
[U.S. REACTION] Coach Bob Bradley talks about Santino Quaranta‘s special evening, Freddy Adu‘s return to Benfica, Chad Marshall‘s role on defense and how his young team handled the Honduran challenge. For more from the U.S. locker room …
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They’re Saying
“It’s hard to explain, but it was special. To be able to do it in front of my wife and my two kids was very special and that’s the most important thing to me now.”
— Santino Quaranta, who wept after he scored the winning goal for the USA in its 2-0 win over Honduras at the Gold Cup on Wednesday. Quaranta’s fine play following rehabilitation from drug dependency led to his recall to the national team after a long absence.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Field set for Presidents Cup
The field was set for the U.S. Youth Soccer Presidents Cup Finals when champions were crowned in eight divisions at the Region I finals in Kirkwood, Del. Massachusetts led all states with three champions. The finals will be held July 17-19, at the WRAL Soccer Complex in Raleigh, N.C.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
U.S. National Cup regionals completed
Regional qualifying for U.S. Club Soccer’s National Cup VIII finals is complete folowing the conclusion of action at the Burlington, Wash., regional, where Crossfire Premier led all teams with seven boys and girls titles. For all the winners at the Burlington, Indianapolis, Pittsgrove, N.J., and Winston-Salem, N.C., regionals …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Leroux and McCarty shine in Germany
UCLA’s Sydney Leroux, winner of the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe at the 2008 Under-20 Women’s World Cup, and Florida State’s Tiffany McCarty scored in both games for the U.S. under-20 women’s national team in its friendly matches against England and Germany, which were preparing for the UEFA Under-19 Championship.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Diskerud stars for U.S. U-20s in Egypt
Norwegian-American Mikkel Diskerud scored the winning goal for the U.S. under-20 national team in its 1-0 win over host Egypt in the first game of its two-game tour of Egypt, host of the 2009 Under-20 World Cup.
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
PDA Fire three-peats
The PDA Fire won its third consecutive girls title, winning the under-17 competition at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships. Other girls teams to repeat were the U-18 FC Bucks Vipers and Under-19 FC Delco Fury II. For all the Region I girls winners …
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Agorsor leads Bays to nationals
Chris Agorsor, whose freshman season at the University of Virginia was cut short by a knee injury, helped lead the Baltimore Casa Mia Bays to a shootout win over the FC Delco Blast, scoring the Bays’ equalizer in the under-19 final at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships at the Barboursville Soccer Complex in Barboursville, W.Va. For all the Region I boys winners …